educate me on crimping

sodflyer · March 20, 2006, 10:37 AM

I have read through a few posts and through my manual but I can not find anything on just how much crimp is enough... I have reloaded and crimped my .44 mags although I can see a good amount of taper at the top I dont have any info on mesurements to know that it's right. I will be shooting them out of a .44 mag super redhawk revolver as well. So if anyone can point me to where I can get the needed mesurements that would be quite helpful! Thanks Jeff.

Leftoverdj · March 20, 2006, 11:03 AM

If the bullets stay put until fired, you have enough crimp.

kingudaroad · March 20, 2006, 12:03 PM

Crimping to me is a feel thing.The difference between a light crimp and a heavy crimp is not that much.When I first attemted a heavy crimp, I found that I was crushing the cases.

Depending on which powder you use, a lighter than max crimp will usually suffice.With powders like H110 I use a bit more to the point where there are cannelure marks on the case mouth of my brass after it has been fired.

Take a pair of calipers with you to the range, load up your gun, fire all but the last one. Then take out that last round and measure to see if the bullet has crept out making the oal any longer than you originally made it.If it's the same , then your crimp is fine.

OLD LOADER · March 20, 2006, 12:33 PM

TO heavy of a crimp increases the chamber preasure and too much preasure
can cause problem.the powder plays a role also.BE CAREFUL.
JIM

mete · March 20, 2006, 12:35 PM

There are two things to consider when loading the 44 mag especially with the slowest burning powders. You must have a good crimp and you must have a tight grip on the bullet . This is to insure that the powder burns properly and the bullets don't 'jump the crimp' when firing the other rounds. A tight grip is achieved with the proper expander die. If it's not tight enough get a smaller expander. The crimp must be enough but not too much. Too much will give accuracy problems. When you fire, the bullets in the cylinder should not move . Measure the OAL of the cartridges ,fire three or four and measure the remaining cartridges.

sodflyer · March 20, 2006, 12:58 PM

Thanks, I am still kinda at a loss here. I understand what you guys are saying however I don't understand how there is no "exact" answer here

But I doubt I have too much as this was a roll crimp attempt but I don't see a roll just a taper. I will take a picture today of a few that I did so you guys can see it if it might help at all. Thanks Jeff.

T. O'Heir · March 20, 2006, 01:45 PM

"...I don't understand how there is no "exact" answer here..." There is no exact answer. Crimping isn't a measurable thing. It's an 'enough' or 'not enough' thing.
A crimp should be just enough to keep the bullets in the cartridges still in the cylinders from moving while the revolver recoils and no more. How much crimping is required depends on the load. A hot load needs more crimp than a lighter load. Target loads need no crimp at all.
A taper crimp isn't a bad thing either. It's easier on the case. When brass is repeatedly loaded and crimped it gets work hardened. Work hardened brass is why the case mouth cracks and splits.

March 20, 2006, 10:37 AM	#1
sodflyer Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2006 Posts: 122	educate me on crimping I have read through a few posts and through my manual but I can not find anything on just how much crimp is enough... I have reloaded and crimped my .44 mags although I can see a good amount of taper at the top I dont have any info on mesurements to know that it's right. I will be shooting them out of a .44 mag super redhawk revolver as well. So if anyone can point me to where I can get the needed mesurements that would be quite helpful! Thanks Jeff.

March 20, 2006, 12:33 PM	#4
OLD LOADER Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: stone mountain ga. Posts: 55	Crimp TO heavy of a crimp increases the chamber preasure and too much preasure can cause problem.the powder plays a role also.BE CAREFUL. JIM

March 20, 2006, 11:03 AM	#2
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	If the bullets stay put until fired, you have enough crimp.

March 20, 2006, 12:03 PM	#3
kingudaroad Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Location: austin Posts: 735	Crimping to me is a feel thing.The difference between a light crimp and a heavy crimp is not that much.When I first attemted a heavy crimp, I found that I was crushing the cases. Depending on which powder you use, a lighter than max crimp will usually suffice.With powders like H110 I use a bit more to the point where there are cannelure marks on the case mouth of my brass after it has been fired. Take a pair of calipers with you to the range, load up your gun, fire all but the last one. Then take out that last round and measure to see if the bullet has crept out making the oal any longer than you originally made it.If it's the same , then your crimp is fine.

March 20, 2006, 12:35 PM	#5
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	There are two things to consider when loading the 44 mag especially with the slowest burning powders. You must have a good crimp and you must have a tight grip on the bullet . This is to insure that the powder burns properly and the bullets don't 'jump the crimp' when firing the other rounds. A tight grip is achieved with the proper expander die. If it's not tight enough get a smaller expander. The crimp must be enough but not too much. Too much will give accuracy problems. When you fire, the bullets in the cylinder should not move . Measure the OAL of the cartridges ,fire three or four and measure the remaining cartridges.

March 20, 2006, 12:58 PM	#6
sodflyer Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2006 Posts: 122	Thanks, I am still kinda at a loss here. I understand what you guys are saying however I don't understand how there is no "exact" answer here But I doubt I have too much as this was a roll crimp attempt but I don't see a roll just a taper. I will take a picture today of a few that I did so you guys can see it if it might help at all. Thanks Jeff.

March 20, 2006, 01:45 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...I don't understand how there is no "exact" answer here..." There is no exact answer. Crimping isn't a measurable thing. It's an 'enough' or 'not enough' thing. A crimp should be just enough to keep the bullets in the cartridges still in the cylinders from moving while the revolver recoils and no more. How much crimping is required depends on the load. A hot load needs more crimp than a lighter load. Target loads need no crimp at all. A taper crimp isn't a bad thing either. It's easier on the case. When brass is repeatedly loaded and crimped it gets work hardened. Work hardened brass is why the case mouth cracks and splits.