Question About Crimp

[Donny1]

I loaded some Xtreme 200gn 45acp CPRN for the first time and I noticed that my crimp at 1.230 was still just slightly on the ogive (curve) of the bullet. I only just very lightly crimp to smooth the edge on pistol cases.

Does it matter If the crimp is not on the full diameter of the bullet? I can go longer but power will suffer.

[BajaJames83]

You might want to load a little longer OAL I load 1.24 to 1.25 for 200gr plated

[Ruger15151]

[Donny1]

Ok, I can easily load to the max, I'm not touching the lands until 1.320.

Thanks!

[robert101]

In semiauto cartridges when I read "crimp" I think "remove the bell or flare". Remember the case will seat on the case mouth. You don't want to reduce the case mouth to a point where the cartridge slides into the chamber beyond the case mouth.

I will usually load to max cartridge length and test for fitment in the chamber and case gauge. I always plunk my new bullets to test for fit. If I get any trouble in feeding then I consider increasing bullet seating depth incrementally.

[Donny1]

In semiauto cartridges when I read "crimp" I think "remove the bell or flare".

Exactly

[Ruger15151]

[Donny1]

Your 45 ACP should measure about .471 at the case mouth. Anything less will mean that you are starting to crimp the bullet

Thank you for the info. I checked some of mine and they are slightly tapering down from .471, maybe .001-.003 smaller. I will back that off a little. They have all functioned perfectly so I didn't know there was, or could be an issue. Also, mixed brass so there not perfectly consistent, some are right on. I'll be checking my 9mm's as well.

[Ruger15151]

The inconsistency in the crimp is caused by case length. Longer cases get more crimp and shorter cases get less. IF I’m loading mixed brass, generally measure several cases to get an average case length. I set my crimp die to remove the flare from the average length case.

[MongooseV8]

It also depends on the die you are using. Some can break if not crimping into a groove.

[five.five-six]

Ok, I can easily load to the max, I'm not touching the lands until 1.320.

Thanks!

.45ACP is a fairly low pressure round with a lot of case capacity. The issue is if your crimp is on the ogive, you may not be holding the bullet in place well enough to and have bullet setback. Not as big of a deal on .45, though it can be a problem but on 9, 40, 10 .357 sig, etc it can go boom.

I load my handgun as long as I can without mag or chambering problems. The extra space is good, then adjust load from there.