Bulge at the base of the bullet on 45acp brass.

5RWill · March 31, 2012, 12:23 PM

Reloaded some 45acps for the first time last night and when taper crimping and seating at the same time there is a slight bulge where the base of the bullet ends inside the case. As in you can see it on the outside. Can feel it if you rub the tip of your finger nail on it. Yet there is no bulge on the factory ammo i have so i'm concerned. Should i back some pressure off my crimp?

Here's a reload (left) next to a factory (right)

chris in va · March 31, 2012, 12:43 PM

Normal.

If it causes chambering issues, get a Lee FCD.

BTW you generally don't taper crimp 45's.

howlnmad · March 31, 2012, 12:47 PM

Resizing dies will actually size the brass to a smaller diameter than what new rounds will be. At times this will cause that bullet base line or coke bottle appearance, it is normal. The other possibilities are the setting of your die in relation to seating/crimping or the bullet not seating square or straight. You can try seating and crimping in different stages and see if that helps.

5RWill · March 31, 2012, 12:59 PM

Just making sure it wasn't damaging or wrong. Do not usually crimp 45 ammo? The only other crimp would be a roll crimp correct?

BDS-THR · March 31, 2012, 01:19 PM

I will usually add .020" to the diameter of the bullet for my taper crimp (and a bit less due to variation in case wall thickness depending on the head stamp). So for .451" diameter jacketed/plated bullets, I will use .471"-.472" taper crimp. For .452" diameter plated/lead bullets, I will use .472-.473" taper crimp. Depending on the case wall thickness, .020" added to the diameter of the bullet will either result in flaring returning flat against the bullet or slight taper crimp that indents the bullet.

Drawing not to scale:

March 31, 2012, 12:23 PM	#1
5RWill Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,654	Bulge at the base of the bullet on 45acp brass. Reloaded some 45acps for the first time last night and when taper crimping and seating at the same time there is a slight bulge where the base of the bullet ends inside the case. As in you can see it on the outside. Can feel it if you rub the tip of your finger nail on it. Yet there is no bulge on the factory ammo i have so i'm concerned. Should i back some pressure off my crimp? Here's a reload (left) next to a factory (right) __________________ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me."

March 31, 2012, 12:59 PM	#4
5RWill Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,654	Just making sure it wasn't damaging or wrong. Do not usually crimp 45 ammo? The only other crimp would be a roll crimp correct? __________________ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me."

March 31, 2012, 12:43 PM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Normal. If it causes chambering issues, get a Lee FCD. BTW you generally don't taper crimp 45's.

March 31, 2012, 12:47 PM	#3
howlnmad Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2009 Location: Harriman Tn Posts: 424	Resizing dies will actually size the brass to a smaller diameter than what new rounds will be. At times this will cause that bullet base line or coke bottle appearance, it is normal. The other possibilities are the setting of your die in relation to seating/crimping or the bullet not seating square or straight. You can try seating and crimping in different stages and see if that helps.

March 31, 2012, 01:19 PM	#5
BDS-THR Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2010 Posts: 479	I will usually add .020" to the diameter of the bullet for my taper crimp (and a bit less due to variation in case wall thickness depending on the head stamp). So for .451" diameter jacketed/plated bullets, I will use .471"-.472" taper crimp. For .452" diameter plated/lead bullets, I will use .472-.473" taper crimp. Depending on the case wall thickness, .020" added to the diameter of the bullet will either result in flaring returning flat against the bullet or slight taper crimp that indents the bullet. Drawing not to scale: