Taper Crimp

45 Fan · April 13, 2000, 04:37 PM

Hi to the group:
Can anyone on the list tell me what the proper taper crimp is on a 40S&W. Thanks to those who respond....45 Fan

------------------
....................
NRA Life Member
IDPA FL AO6743

kframe19 · April 13, 2000, 04:42 PM

Well, quite frankly, the proper crimp is the one that:

a) holds the bullet in place so that it doesn't slip during recoil,

b) doesn't damage the bullet by squeezing it unduly, and

c) allows the case to still headspace on the rim.

In other words, the "proper" crimp is the one that works best for you.

I know that sounds like a cop-out

, but it's really true.

Variations in your gun, your bullets, your cases, and your dies may result in a crimp that works for you, but not for someone else.

WESHOOT2 · April 13, 2000, 06:10 PM

Different view.

1) Crimp is not sufficient to hold bullet; requires correct case neck tension.

2) Auto cartridges headspace based on extractor tension holding the cartridge against the breech face.

3) Measuring at the case mouth, 40 S&W should go around .422".

------------------
"All my ammo is factory ammo"

**Bud Helms** · April 13, 2000, 08:01 PM

WESHOOT2,

I've read the neck tension statement before. I need to understand what it means. Do you think the brass too "springy" for a taper crimp to establish neck tension?

Also, I need to understand something else. Why do you say that an auto cartridge's headspace is "based" on extractor tension holding the cartridge against the breech face. Headspace is a dimension, staying with auto pistols, measured from the breech face to the case mouth "step" in the barrel, with the breech in battery. Isn't it?

I mean if your extractor broke, you could still safely fire a round in a properly headspaced chamber, couldn't you? You wouldn't be able to extract a case, but headspace would still be within specs.

What has the extractor got to do with headspace?

Hypothetical question using a .45 ACP: If your case rim is .049, the extractor hook contact face is .056 off the breech face, the case is .898 long (head-to-mouth), and the in-battery chamber length is .902, then even if the case is fully forward in the chamber, the extractor won't be back against the rim.

Sgt.K · April 13, 2000, 08:20 PM

My thoughts on taper crimping are that it restores the cartridge back to proper dimensions after belling the mouth for bullet seating.

I've used a factory round to preset taper crimp dies then go from there.

After crimping insure you check that the cartridge enters the chamber fully and that when the barrel is held muzzle up the cartridge falls free.

Sgt.K

SKR · April 13, 2000, 11:49 PM

weshoot2...just where do you get your information?

kframe19 · April 14, 2000, 01:26 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WESHOOT2:
Different view.

1) Crimp is not sufficient to hold bullet; requires correct case neck tension.

2) Auto cartridges headspace based on extractor tension holding the cartridge against the breech face.

3) Measuring at the case mouth, 40 S&W should go around .422".

[/quote]

Point 1 is correct to a degree, point 2 is not.

And I see that I brain farted and said that a semi-auto case should headspace on the rim. I'm too used to shooting revolvers.

With the majority of semi-autos, that is not the true, the case headspaces on the casemouth. Old .38 ACPs and .38 Supers used to use the "rim" for headspacing, but it was so small that it caused lots of problems. Modern .38 Supers headspace on the case mouth.

And, of course, the shouldered rounds like the .357 Sig. headspace on the shoulder.

A properly headspaced, straight walled semi-auto case headspaces on the case mouth, which is why loading manuals state that you should not use a roll-crimp with semi-auto cases. In an extreme case, the extractor may never snap over the rim of the case as the round chambers. If the crimp is excessive the round can drop deeply enough into the chamber that the firing pin won't ignite it. I've seen that more than once with newbie reloaders, and those who use, say, a .357 Mag. die with a roll crimp to crimp .38 Super rounds.

**Bud Helms** · April 14, 2000, 05:49 AM

There is no doubt in my mind what headspace is for a straight walled auto pistol. But I'm interested in WESHOOT2's answer.

I also am interested in whether there is a conflict in terminology only, when it comes to taper crimp vs neck tension. WESHOOT2, please explain what you think the difference is.

johnnybravo · April 14, 2000, 08:28 AM

Umm...
Let me see if I can figure this out.

Crimp is where the case mouth is physically pushed aginst the cannelure or crimp groove to prevent the bullet from moving in or out.

Neck tension is the portion of the case pushing against the seated area of the bullet (the portion of the bullet inside the case) to prevent the bullet from (in an extreme example) wobbling to and fro.

How's that sound? That's kinda sorta the way I see it.

------------------
johnnyb
A slow hit beats a fast miss.

kframe19 · April 14, 2000, 09:45 AM

Ok, here's my take.

Neck tension is what you get from sitting to close to the screen in the movie theater.

Crimp is what your girlfriend does to your style...

Ok... All levity aside... Here are my definitions...

Neck tension.

This is the degree to which the brass will hold the bullet after the case has been full-length sized.

Full length sizing returns the case to "correct factory" dimensions. A lot of things can mess with neck tension...

Springy brass. Brass is elastic, and has a rebound effect. After you size it, it bounces back to a certain degree. As brass is reused, it gets work hardened, meaning that it won't spring back nearly as much as when it was new. Annealing will restore the ability of the brass to spring back.

Expander ball size. An oversized expander ball will give you fits every time. I've seen a couple over the years.

Sizing die size. A sizing die that is too "sloppy" won't size the case properly.

Brass that is too thin. This can be a particular problem with foreign 9mm Para. and .38 Spl. brass, but also with other calibers, as well. If the brass is too thin, it's the equivelent of having a sloppy sizing die or an oversized expander ball.

Weshoot is correct in saying that you need proper neck tension in order to keep the bullet in place. Unless you using a hard roll crimp that gets down into the crimping groove , crimp alone won't be successful in keep the bullet from moving if neck tension isn't adequate.

JoeHatley · April 14, 2000, 10:12 AM

In a semi-auto pistol when the firing pin comes forward and strikes the primer, usually the case is going to move forward a bit. Something stops the case from going too far into the chamber. This can be the extractor contacting the rim, or the case mouth contacting the front of the chamber.

Given manufacturing tolerances, and chambers that are cut large for functioning, the extractor is usually the "thing" that stops the round.

Is that round "headspacing" on the case mouth or the extractor?!?

When I shoot my 1911 I say the it headspaces on the extractor. Same rounds in my Blackhawk convertible headspace on the case mouth. Same rounds in my 625-3 headspace on the full moon clip.

It's probably a mater of how a person defines/understands "headspace", but I think WESHOOT2 is correct in his statement.

If I'm wrong, please enlighten me. I'm not too old to learn...

Joe

------------------
Go NRA

**Bud Helms** · April 14, 2000, 07:16 PM

The extractor will prevent the cartridge from traveling too far forward in the chamber, as the slide returns to battery, and that can prevent a catastrophic rearward acceleration of the brass at firing, BUT ... if the extractor is worn and the cartridge is allowed to travel forward far enough in a loose (let's say slightly over SAMMI max chamber), then the rearward motion of the brass precedes that of the forward motion of the bullet (less mass). More chamber space, more brass travel rearward prior to bullet engagement of rifling. Accuracy suffers, HOT gasses pass the bullet into the barrel, HOT gasses escape around the brass (because it doesn't expand rapidly, BECAUSE it is moving to the rear), recoil operation is not reliable, pressure pulse is OUTSIDE the brass in the chamber ...YIKES! Anyone have an airtight chamber? I didn't think so.

Now, my example is exaggerated, because I cite an extractor worn beyond belief and a chamber way too long. The point is: the cartridge HEADSPACES on the CASEMOUTH. PERIOD! Headspace is the maximum allowable chamber length, in battery, measured from case head to some repeatable point of measure and case contact with the chamber.

.30-30 (rimmed) lever actions have extractors. .30-'06 (rimless) bolt actions have extractors. .223 (rimless) autos have extractors. Single shot .38-55 Ballards (rimmed) have extractors. NONE of them headspace on the extractor! How did this fiction begin?

As for neck tension ... all crimps are not equal. Neck tension is primarily established during withdrawal of the expander ball. The taper in a taper crimp is very slight. A taper crimp re-establishes neck tension lost from belling the mouth and overlarge expander balls and establishes uniform case contact with the bullet so it will not travel past the headspace "ledge" at the front of the chamber. It does not roll the case mouth at all, cannelure or not.

Wanna find out what barrel makers consider headsapce to be? Call Brownell's. Better yet call Clymer. They make reamers. Ask them if headspace depends on "how a person defines/understands "headspace"".

One more question. What is that little ledge in a .45 ACP's or a .40 S&W's barrel for anyway? I'll tell you. It's to stop the case mouth from moving into the barrel. It's the end of the chamber. For straight-walled, rimless cases, it's one end of the measurement of the headspace dimension. The other end is the breech face, in battery.

[This message has been edited by sensop (edited April 14, 2000).]

Chris McDermott · April 16, 2000, 04:27 PM

Kframe19 is right in what is "supposed" to happen, the design specs say that auto cases headspace off of the case mouth.
If you measure your cases, you will see that they are usually too short to headspace properly. .45 ACP cases are supposed to be .895" long, with a chamber depth of .898"; for a headspace of .003". Most 1911 auto pistols work just fine with cases as short as .850"; giving a headspace of .048". The extractor holds the too short case against the impact of the firing pin and the cartridge fires, instead of just sliding up into the chamber. I gave the dimensions of the .45 ACP, but it works just the same with 40 S&W, 10 mm etc.
The 9 X 19 is actually supposed to be a tapered case (.392 case head, .380 case mouth), but is typically reloaded with carbide dies that give a straight side wall with a short tapered area just before the case head.
Bottle-neck cases like the .357 SIG are supposedly design to headspace off of the case mouth also, but don't in real life. An interesting article on this at the Real Guns website : http://www.realguns.com/archives/001.htm

JoeHatley · April 16, 2000, 05:45 PM

sensop,

I think we are talking about 2 different things. Headspace is certainly a finite measurement when it comes to the dementions used to cut a chamber. Duh...

I'm refering more to headspace as a "verb", as in what the case really is resting against when it goes bang.

For another opinion, look up the Charles Petty article on .45 acp cartrige lengths in the last American Handguner issue.

Joe

------------------
Go NRA

**Bud Helms** · April 16, 2000, 11:29 PM

Joe,

Did you read this part of my post? "... .30-30 (rimmed) lever actions have extractors. .30-'06 (rimless) bolt actions have extractors. .223 (rimless) autos have extractors. Single shot .38-55 Ballards (rimmed) have extractors. NONE of them headspace on the extractor! ..." In all these examples, there is something the cartridge rests against when it goes bang, a bolt face, a breech block, etc., and each of them have an extractor. I won't take space quoting each different headspace method for each different case type, but suffice it to say, none of them headspace on "... what the case really is resting against when it goes bang.", nor the extractor.

Headspace is measured FROM the head of the case to some point in the chamber that is intended to "confine" the cartridge and "fix" it for firing. Let's say the headspace "ledge" wasn't part of a straight-walled auto pistol case (the chamber would need a taper at theat point into the rifling) and that the extractor face was the headspace point. Now think for a minute. How critical would the extractor face measurement be, from the breech face? Would an occasional cartridge slipped off the extractor and be sent into the chamber? If you would rather depend on the extractor holding the cartridge against the breech face, then be careful about some recommendations to customize the extraction angles on the extractor face, because that will cause some relaxation of extractor tension in battery. I think the extractor does play a part in keeping the case against the breech face. It's just not how you measure headspace.

After I reload a .45 ACP case several times, the case rim becomes a little battered and misshapen. I throw out a few that are really beat up, but the variations there are pretty large.

There is something in WESHOOT2's post that I may have read my own meaning into. And on re-reading it more carefully I see another take. <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>2) Auto cartridges headspace based on extractor tension holding the cartridge against the breech face.[/quote] That doesn't say that they headspace on the extractor, which I originally interpreted. But it does imply that the extractor keeps the cartridge from flying forward when chambering. Chris described that too. That much I agree with. But, sorry, that's not headspace.

I haven't read the American Handgunning article. I don't have a subscription. I'll look for it on the magazine racks.

As far as the .357 Sig goes, I'm gonna hang it out here and say I'll bet a dollar it headspaces on the shoulder. Most of the .40 brass used to make it would come out too short to headspace on the mouth. I don't know of a shouldered (bottle neck)round that doesn't headspace on the shoulder. Now I'll go to Chris's link and see if I owe you a dollar.

Happy headspacing!

JoeHatley · April 17, 2000, 02:38 PM

sensop,

I found the Petty article on-line:
http://www.americanhandgunner.com/Page2/HandloadMA.html

The 1st two paragraphs decribe what I tried (poorly) to:

=============================================
Headspace is defined as the distance from the breech face to that part of the chamber that stops forward movement of the cartridge case. For straight wall rimless cases, that would be the distance to the chamber shoulder. For the .45 ACP, the SAAMI standard dimension for a maximum cartridge case is 0.898" and the length of a minimum chamber is the same.

Now, the chances of having a real world gun with a minimum chamber are slim, and it’s even more rare to find a case that long. Most of the time brass is at least 0.005" shorter. It would truly be a rare set of circumstances to have a case actually headspace on the case mouth. As a practical matter, the extractor usually determines headspace.
=============================================

Take care, maybe I'll see you in Springfield this August...

Joe

------------------
Go NRA

**Bud Helms** · April 17, 2000, 04:24 PM

Well, I don't know what else to say. You define headspace and then say it's something else. I give up.

April 13, 2000, 04:37 PM	#1
45 Fan Member Join Date: August 14, 1999 Posts: 27	Hi to the group: Can anyone on the list tell me what the proper taper crimp is on a 40S&W. Thanks to those who respond....45 Fan ------------------ .................... NRA Life Member IDPA FL AO6743

April 13, 2000, 04:42 PM	#2
kframe19 Member Join Date: April 9, 2000 Posts: 61	Well, quite frankly, the proper crimp is the one that: a) holds the bullet in place so that it doesn't slip during recoil, b) doesn't damage the bullet by squeezing it unduly, and c) allows the case to still headspace on the rim. In other words, the "proper" crimp is the one that works best for you. I know that sounds like a cop-out , but it's really true. Variations in your gun, your bullets, your cases, and your dies may result in a crimp that works for you, but not for someone else.

April 13, 2000, 06:10 PM	#3
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Different view. 1) Crimp is not sufficient to hold bullet; requires correct case neck tension. 2) Auto cartridges headspace based on extractor tension holding the cartridge against the breech face. 3) Measuring at the case mouth, 40 S&W should go around .422". ------------------ "All my ammo is factory ammo"

April 13, 2000, 08:01 PM	#4
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	WESHOOT2, I've read the neck tension statement before. I need to understand what it means. Do you think the brass too "springy" for a taper crimp to establish neck tension? Also, I need to understand something else. Why do you say that an auto cartridge's headspace is "based" on extractor tension holding the cartridge against the breech face. Headspace is a dimension, staying with auto pistols, measured from the breech face to the case mouth "step" in the barrel, with the breech in battery. Isn't it? I mean if your extractor broke, you could still safely fire a round in a properly headspaced chamber, couldn't you? You wouldn't be able to extract a case, but headspace would still be within specs. What has the extractor got to do with headspace? Hypothetical question using a .45 ACP: If your case rim is .049, the extractor hook contact face is .056 off the breech face, the case is .898 long (head-to-mouth), and the in-battery chamber length is .902, then even if the case is fully forward in the chamber, the extractor won't be back against the rim.

April 13, 2000, 08:20 PM	#5
Sgt.K Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: Kentucky, USA Posts: 198	My thoughts on taper crimping are that it restores the cartridge back to proper dimensions after belling the mouth for bullet seating. I've used a factory round to preset taper crimp dies then go from there. After crimping insure you check that the cartridge enters the chamber fully and that when the barrel is held muzzle up the cartridge falls free. Sgt.K

April 13, 2000, 11:49 PM	#6
SKR Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 68	weshoot2...just where do you get your information?

April 14, 2000, 01:26 AM	#7
kframe19 Member Join Date: April 9, 2000 Posts: 61	<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WESHOOT2: Different view. 1) Crimp is not sufficient to hold bullet; requires correct case neck tension. 2) Auto cartridges headspace based on extractor tension holding the cartridge against the breech face. 3) Measuring at the case mouth, 40 S&W should go around .422". [/quote] Point 1 is correct to a degree, point 2 is not. And I see that I brain farted and said that a semi-auto case should headspace on the rim. I'm too used to shooting revolvers. With the majority of semi-autos, that is not the true, the case headspaces on the casemouth. Old .38 ACPs and .38 Supers used to use the "rim" for headspacing, but it was so small that it caused lots of problems. Modern .38 Supers headspace on the case mouth. And, of course, the shouldered rounds like the .357 Sig. headspace on the shoulder. A properly headspaced, straight walled semi-auto case headspaces on the case mouth, which is why loading manuals state that you should not use a roll-crimp with semi-auto cases. In an extreme case, the extractor may never snap over the rim of the case as the round chambers. If the crimp is excessive the round can drop deeply enough into the chamber that the firing pin won't ignite it. I've seen that more than once with newbie reloaders, and those who use, say, a .357 Mag. die with a roll crimp to crimp .38 Super rounds.

April 14, 2000, 05:49 AM	#8
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	There is no doubt in my mind what headspace is for a straight walled auto pistol. But I'm interested in WESHOOT2's answer. I also am interested in whether there is a conflict in terminology only, when it comes to taper crimp vs neck tension. WESHOOT2, please explain what you think the difference is.

April 14, 2000, 08:28 AM	#9
johnnybravo Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2000 Posts: 100	Umm... Let me see if I can figure this out. Crimp is where the case mouth is physically pushed aginst the cannelure or crimp groove to prevent the bullet from moving in or out. Neck tension is the portion of the case pushing against the seated area of the bullet (the portion of the bullet inside the case) to prevent the bullet from (in an extreme example) wobbling to and fro. How's that sound? That's kinda sorta the way I see it. ------------------ johnnyb A slow hit beats a fast miss.

April 14, 2000, 09:45 AM	#10
kframe19 Member Join Date: April 9, 2000 Posts: 61	Ok, here's my take. Neck tension is what you get from sitting to close to the screen in the movie theater. Crimp is what your girlfriend does to your style... Ok... All levity aside... Here are my definitions... Neck tension. This is the degree to which the brass will hold the bullet after the case has been full-length sized. Full length sizing returns the case to "correct factory" dimensions. A lot of things can mess with neck tension... Springy brass. Brass is elastic, and has a rebound effect. After you size it, it bounces back to a certain degree. As brass is reused, it gets work hardened, meaning that it won't spring back nearly as much as when it was new. Annealing will restore the ability of the brass to spring back. Expander ball size. An oversized expander ball will give you fits every time. I've seen a couple over the years. Sizing die size. A sizing die that is too "sloppy" won't size the case properly. Brass that is too thin. This can be a particular problem with foreign 9mm Para. and .38 Spl. brass, but also with other calibers, as well. If the brass is too thin, it's the equivelent of having a sloppy sizing die or an oversized expander ball. Weshoot is correct in saying that you need proper neck tension in order to keep the bullet in place. Unless you using a hard roll crimp that gets down into the crimping groove , crimp alone won't be successful in keep the bullet from moving if neck tension isn't adequate.

April 14, 2000, 10:12 AM	#11
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	In a semi-auto pistol when the firing pin comes forward and strikes the primer, usually the case is going to move forward a bit. Something stops the case from going too far into the chamber. This can be the extractor contacting the rim, or the case mouth contacting the front of the chamber. Given manufacturing tolerances, and chambers that are cut large for functioning, the extractor is usually the "thing" that stops the round. Is that round "headspacing" on the case mouth or the extractor?!? When I shoot my 1911 I say the it headspaces on the extractor. Same rounds in my Blackhawk convertible headspace on the case mouth. Same rounds in my 625-3 headspace on the full moon clip. It's probably a mater of how a person defines/understands "headspace", but I think WESHOOT2 is correct in his statement. If I'm wrong, please enlighten me. I'm not too old to learn... Joe ------------------ Go NRA

April 14, 2000, 07:16 PM	#12
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	The extractor will prevent the cartridge from traveling too far forward in the chamber, as the slide returns to battery, and that can prevent a catastrophic rearward acceleration of the brass at firing, BUT ... if the extractor is worn and the cartridge is allowed to travel forward far enough in a loose (let's say slightly over SAMMI max chamber), then the rearward motion of the brass precedes that of the forward motion of the bullet (less mass). More chamber space, more brass travel rearward prior to bullet engagement of rifling. Accuracy suffers, HOT gasses pass the bullet into the barrel, HOT gasses escape around the brass (because it doesn't expand rapidly, BECAUSE it is moving to the rear), recoil operation is not reliable, pressure pulse is OUTSIDE the brass in the chamber ...YIKES! Anyone have an airtight chamber? I didn't think so. Now, my example is exaggerated, because I cite an extractor worn beyond belief and a chamber way too long. The point is: the cartridge HEADSPACES on the CASEMOUTH. PERIOD! Headspace is the maximum allowable chamber length, in battery, measured from case head to some repeatable point of measure and case contact with the chamber. .30-30 (rimmed) lever actions have extractors. .30-'06 (rimless) bolt actions have extractors. .223 (rimless) autos have extractors. Single shot .38-55 Ballards (rimmed) have extractors. NONE of them headspace on the extractor! How did this fiction begin? As for neck tension ... all crimps are not equal. Neck tension is primarily established during withdrawal of the expander ball. The taper in a taper crimp is very slight. A taper crimp re-establishes neck tension lost from belling the mouth and overlarge expander balls and establishes uniform case contact with the bullet so it will not travel past the headspace "ledge" at the front of the chamber. It does not roll the case mouth at all, cannelure or not. Wanna find out what barrel makers consider headsapce to be? Call Brownell's. Better yet call Clymer. They make reamers. Ask them if headspace depends on "how a person defines/understands "headspace"". One more question. What is that little ledge in a .45 ACP's or a .40 S&W's barrel for anyway? I'll tell you. It's to stop the case mouth from moving into the barrel. It's the end of the chamber. For straight-walled, rimless cases, it's one end of the measurement of the headspace dimension. The other end is the breech face, in battery. [This message has been edited by sensop (edited April 14, 2000).]

April 16, 2000, 04:27 PM	#13
Chris McDermott Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2000 Posts: 245	Kframe19 is right in what is "supposed" to happen, the design specs say that auto cases headspace off of the case mouth. If you measure your cases, you will see that they are usually too short to headspace properly. .45 ACP cases are supposed to be .895" long, with a chamber depth of .898"; for a headspace of .003". Most 1911 auto pistols work just fine with cases as short as .850"; giving a headspace of .048". The extractor holds the too short case against the impact of the firing pin and the cartridge fires, instead of just sliding up into the chamber. I gave the dimensions of the .45 ACP, but it works just the same with 40 S&W, 10 mm etc. The 9 X 19 is actually supposed to be a tapered case (.392 case head, .380 case mouth), but is typically reloaded with carbide dies that give a straight side wall with a short tapered area just before the case head. Bottle-neck cases like the .357 SIG are supposedly design to headspace off of the case mouth also, but don't in real life. An interesting article on this at the Real Guns website : http://www.realguns.com/archives/001.htm

April 16, 2000, 05:45 PM	#14
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	sensop, I think we are talking about 2 different things. Headspace is certainly a finite measurement when it comes to the dementions used to cut a chamber. Duh... I'm refering more to headspace as a "verb", as in what the case really is resting against when it goes bang. For another opinion, look up the Charles Petty article on .45 acp cartrige lengths in the last American Handguner issue. Joe ------------------ Go NRA

April 16, 2000, 11:29 PM	#15
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	Joe, Did you read this part of my post? "... .30-30 (rimmed) lever actions have extractors. .30-'06 (rimless) bolt actions have extractors. .223 (rimless) autos have extractors. Single shot .38-55 Ballards (rimmed) have extractors. NONE of them headspace on the extractor! ..." In all these examples, there is something the cartridge rests against when it goes bang, a bolt face, a breech block, etc., and each of them have an extractor. I won't take space quoting each different headspace method for each different case type, but suffice it to say, none of them headspace on "... what the case really is resting against when it goes bang.", nor the extractor. Headspace is measured FROM the head of the case to some point in the chamber that is intended to "confine" the cartridge and "fix" it for firing. Let's say the headspace "ledge" wasn't part of a straight-walled auto pistol case (the chamber would need a taper at theat point into the rifling) and that the extractor face was the headspace point. Now think for a minute. How critical would the extractor face measurement be, from the breech face? Would an occasional cartridge slipped off the extractor and be sent into the chamber? If you would rather depend on the extractor holding the cartridge against the breech face, then be careful about some recommendations to customize the extraction angles on the extractor face, because that will cause some relaxation of extractor tension in battery. I think the extractor does play a part in keeping the case against the breech face. It's just not how you measure headspace. After I reload a .45 ACP case several times, the case rim becomes a little battered and misshapen. I throw out a few that are really beat up, but the variations there are pretty large. There is something in WESHOOT2's post that I may have read my own meaning into. And on re-reading it more carefully I see another take. <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>2) Auto cartridges headspace based on extractor tension holding the cartridge against the breech face.[/quote] That doesn't say that they headspace on the extractor, which I originally interpreted. But it does imply that the extractor keeps the cartridge from flying forward when chambering. Chris described that too. That much I agree with. But, sorry, that's not headspace. I haven't read the American Handgunning article. I don't have a subscription. I'll look for it on the magazine racks. As far as the .357 Sig goes, I'm gonna hang it out here and say I'll bet a dollar it headspaces on the shoulder. Most of the .40 brass used to make it would come out too short to headspace on the mouth. I don't know of a shouldered (bottle neck)round that doesn't headspace on the shoulder. Now I'll go to Chris's link and see if I owe you a dollar. Happy headspacing!

April 17, 2000, 02:38 PM	#16
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	sensop, I found the Petty article on-line: http://www.americanhandgunner.com/Page2/HandloadMA.html The 1st two paragraphs decribe what I tried (poorly) to: ============================================= Headspace is defined as the distance from the breech face to that part of the chamber that stops forward movement of the cartridge case. For straight wall rimless cases, that would be the distance to the chamber shoulder. For the .45 ACP, the SAAMI standard dimension for a maximum cartridge case is 0.898" and the length of a minimum chamber is the same. Now, the chances of having a real world gun with a minimum chamber are slim, and it’s even more rare to find a case that long. Most of the time brass is at least 0.005" shorter. It would truly be a rare set of circumstances to have a case actually headspace on the case mouth. As a practical matter, the extractor usually determines headspace. ============================================= Take care, maybe I'll see you in Springfield this August... Joe ------------------ Go NRA

April 17, 2000, 04:24 PM	#17
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	Well, I don't know what else to say. You define headspace and then say it's something else. I give up.