Crimping ain't easy

[Adam_12]

Relatively new to reloading and this is the first time I've encountered this problem. I was trying to crimp some 185gr Berry's Plated HBRN but when I lower the press to remove the cartridge, it would get stuck in the sleeve and/or crimp ring. With a little muscle, it'll bust free, however it takes a small ring of brass around the mouth with it. I'm using a Hornady LNL press with Hornady .45 ACP dies with a seating depth of 1.175" if that matters.

[FML1982]

I have Hornady rifle dies but Lee pistol dies so I cannot say for sure but are you crimping and seating with the same die? Double check the paper that came with the dies and reset the die and follow the instructions carefully to make sure you haven't maybe adjusted it with too much crimp or pull out some calipers and measure the bullet diameter to see how thick the plating is on the bullets compared to the SAAMI specs. Could be the bullets are larger in diameter than what the die was manufactured for causing it to wedge itself in there. It doesn't take a lot of force to seat bullets and takes even less force to crimp. Sorry if this info seems elementary but that is where I would start.

[Adam_12]

Any input is appreciated. The same die is being used to seat and crimp and I did reset the die as per the instructions. This might seem like a dumb question but how do I find out the plating thickness?

[TKM]

It's possible to overcrimp Berrys and tear the plating. You don't need a very heavy crimp, just enough to grab the bullet firmly.

Your COAL seems a little short. 1.25/1.26 works for me.

[JagerDog]

Sounds like you're crimping a bit heavy. You really only need to remove the bell. Back the seating die off a hair.

Many folks (me included) prefer to make crimping a seperate opertion, using a taper crimp die.

[ZRen]

Sounds like you're crimping a bit heavy. You really only need to remove the bell. Back the seating die off a hair.

Many folks (me included) prefer to make crimping a seperate opertion, using a taper crimp die.

^^^ I agree with both.

Do you have a separate die for crimping? If so, back your seating die out enough so that the crimp ring isn't touching the case. Then using the knurled adjustment knob at the top of the seating die, turn it in until you are back to seating to your correct OAL.
And then just use your separate crimp die for the crimp job.

I'm not familiar with your dies, but from what I know of most seating/crimping dies out there is that they apply a roll crimp and not a taper crimp.
For a straight walled pistol cartridge you want a taper crimp. As others have stated, you want just enough crimp to remove the "bell" on the case mouth that you gave it when you flared the case.

ETA: this image

[J-cat]

Crimping is easy.

Back off the die.

Increase the OAL.

[croue]

New metallic reloader here. Good info I can use right away after having issues with a run of 45 yesterday.
Thanks,

C

[bigedp51]

You will always get better results seating and crimping in separate operations.

A taper crimp should only be one thousandths (.001) smaller than the loaded case diameter with plated bullets to keep from damaging the plating.

I even use a taper crimp on my light and medium loads on my .44 Magnum.

Heavy roll crimps should only be used with the slowest burning powders and maximum loads.





Example below of a light .44 magnum load and using a taper crimp, the S&W 29 below has a 5 inch barrel and 100% of the powder is burnt in 4.2 inches.

[rm1911]

First thing I thought from title.

[Bainter1212]

Yup....your OAL is too low and you are overcrimping. Reduce it to a minimum crimp and bring your OAL out to 1.260 or so. I set them at 1.270 myself.

[Adam_12]

Thanks for the schooling, guys. Definitely learned a lesson.