3 hole presses

[HKMadness]

So ive always used 4 die sets for 45 acp withthe fourth die being the factory crimp die. On 3 hole sets, is it correct that the seating die also applies a roll crimp? If so, does anyone notice a difference in performance between a factory and roll crimp?

[Bill Steele]

Depends.

So ive always used 4 die sets for 45 acp withthe fourth die being the factory crimp die. On 3 hole sets, is it correct that the seating die also applies a roll crimp? If so, does anyone notice a difference in performance between a factory and roll crimp?

A roll crimp is only applied to calibers that use a roll crimp. Calibers that use the end of the case to headspace on use a taper crimp.

In a three die handgun setup, the seating die will also apply the crimp (either roll or taper depending on the caliber being loaded), when adjusted to do so.

[HKMadness]

Ah thanks. Should be good to go w the roll or taper crimp then.

[bruceflinch]

What caliber you loading on what press HKM?

[shtr45acp]

Have never used a roll crimp on 45acp, or any other pistol/revolver ctg I have reloaded. Just taper crimping. Thats been for over 30yrs now. It's nice to have that option though.

[noylj]

If you are loading a case that head spaces on the case mouth (almost every semi-auto handgun cartridge), you need to contact the die manufacturer to determine if the die has a taper crimp or roll crimp.
I have no idea why, but until just a few years ago, almost all seating/crimp die would give a roll crimp.
For people who have to seat and crimp in one step, they needed to ensure that all their cases, after sizing, were the same length and set the crimp so it would just barely start to turn the case mouth in so there was still enough case mouth to head space. The problem is that, since ALL handgun cases appear to be less than maximum length, that most guns are actually head spacing by holding the case in the extractor.
Also, if you are loading cast lead bullets or the plated bullets, the fact that the bullet is still being seated and the crimp is being applied can damage the bullet.
I would NOT use a 3-station press and consider 5 stations to be the minimum acceptable number for any progressive press (you really need to include and RCBS Lock-Out die.

If I only had a three station press, I would size and hand-prime off the press. The three stations would then be:

Expand and charge the case with a powder-through expander (Lee Pro Auto-Disk or the Dillon/Horandy/RCBS powder-through presses and PTX inserts)

Seat the bullet

Taper crimp the round

However, this really defeats the purpose of a progressive press, so I would trade it in for a Lee Classic Turret with 4-station toolheads (using the auto-idex) or a REAL progressive press.

With what has happened to me in the last couple of years, I think the Lee LoadMasteer would be the only progressive press I could possibly afford and not sure I'm up to handling the fussy-ness of the press.

[stand125]

I bought a used 45ACP 3 die set for 45acp when I first started loading on a press and made very accurate ammo, so I have never used the factory crimp die on 45ACP. I do put a slight crimp with the seating/crimp die.

[bruceflinch]

Have never used a roll crimp on 45acp, or any other pistol/revolver ctg I have reloaded. Just taper crimping. Thats been for over 30yrs now. It's nice to have that option though.

Check the specs on your dies. The revolver dies are usually a roll crimp. Semi-auto a taper crimp.

I have some RCBS dies for .38. The seater dies combines to roll crimp as well.