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I never crimp unless the rounds are for lever action rifles or revolvers.

Crimp should not be used on B/A rifle rounds.

There is usually a roll crimp in the bullet seating die.

When setting up a seating die I turn the die, with seating stem removed, in on a case without a bullet until the crimp section of the die touches the case. I then back the die off at least two turns to ensure the damned crimp is well away from the case mouth.

Dummy cartridge of correct OL is then inserted into the shell holder and the ram raised into the die, the seating stem is then turned down onto dummy round and locked off.

As John says, it was the FLS die I was referring to. I must admit to not being a fan of Federal 308 brass, had a couple of batches that ended up with several loose primer pockets after only a few uses.

I like my factory crimp die :shakeshout: While I certainly wouldn't use a roll over crimp on my rifle ammunition I find the Lee factory crimp to be very consistent.

Here's one I did earlier (using an old washing up bottle and sticky back plastic as Aunty Val used to say!)



Notice there is absolutely b@gger all visible in the way of the actual crimp compared to the photo you used above, as Dromia said those have way too much crimp and that could easily spike the case pressure.

You don't need to flare the case mouth if using boat tailed bullets, there should be enough neck tension alone to secure the bullet in place without the need for a crimp. With non-bushing dies the problem is usually too much neck tension.

Here's what a roll crimp looks like, this time on a .44 magnum for my under lever, again it's only just enough crimp to do the job, over crimping is never a good idea!.

OK I understand what you mean, so whilst I did back it off the case mouth when it was in the die, I believe it was only 1/4 turn. I presume then, if a few of the cases were ever so slightly longer than the others some may have become crimped, whilst others weren't. Sound plausible?

dromia wrote:I never crimp unless the rounds are for lever action rifles or revolvers.

Crimp should not be used on B/A rifle rounds.

There is usually a roll crimp in the bullet seating die.

When setting up a seating die I turn the die, with seating stem removed, in on a case without a bullet until the crimp section of the die touches the case. I then back the die off at least two turns to ensure the damned crimp is well away from the case mouth.

Dummy cartridge of correct OL is then inserted into the shell holder and the ram raised into the die, the seating stem is then turned down onto dummy round and locked off.

OK thanks for the tip, I'll look out for baggy pockets. True, that round looks absolutely normal to me. :goodjob:

phaedra1106 wrote:As John says, it was the FLS die I was referring to. I must admit to not being a fan of Federal 308 brass, had a couple of batches that ended up with several loose primer pockets after only a few uses.

I like my factory crimp die :shakeshout: While I certainly wouldn't use a roll over crimp on my rifle ammunition I find the Lee factory crimp to be very consistent.

Here's one I did earlier (using an old washing up bottle and sticky back plastic as Aunty Val used to say!)

Notice there is absolutely b@gger all visible in the way of the actual crimp compared to the photo you used above, as Dromia said those have way too much crimp and that could easily spike the case pressure.

OK got ya! I can see what you mean now. I should already know about this, so I'm going to do some reading tonight.

phaedra1106 wrote:Here's what a roll crimp looks like, this time on a .44 magnum for my under lever, again it's only just enough crimp to do the job, over crimping is never a good idea!.

HALODIN wrote:OK I understand what you mean, so whilst I did back it off the case mouth when it was in the die, I believe it was only 1/4 turn. I presume then, if a few of the cases were ever so slightly longer than the others some may have become crimped, whilst others weren't. Sound plausible?

Yes indeed.

Halodin,
I suggest that you look at the Sinclair series of reloading videos on YouTube.
They will answer most of your questions. I use them for the reloading courses that I run for one of the major Bisley clubs.

sign92

dromia wrote:Yes indeed.