crimping issue: somewhat confusing?

fight4yourites

let's see, for straight walled pistol ammo you roll crimp for revolvers and taper crimp for semi-auto handgun ammo correct? Now for the desert eagle semi-auto 44 mag I've heard it said that this round headspaces on the rim so you don't taper crimp? Should you then roll crimp these rounds? Is this the same for .357 mag in the desert eagle also? should I also be roll or taper crimping in a separate step from bullet seating for better accuracy? Some manufacturers of 3 die pistol sets combine seating and crimping in one die(common). If this separate step of crimping is desired, what manufacturers just make a bullet seating die without crimping in their sets. I know dillions does. I hope this wasn't too lengthy. I'm still fairly new to this great hobby. thanks for your time and info. matt

oneshy

I've been reloading for awhile and I taper crimp everything, revolver and semi-auto with the die supplied in the 3-die set. You can adjust the tightness of the crimp by screwing the die in and out. From a tight crimp to no crimp. You'll want to crimp each rd. in order to hold the loaded bullets in against the recoil of the fired rd. In semi-auto, the tighter the crimp, the better in order to insure feeding short of deforming the bullet. In revolver rd. the crimp insures smooth insertion into the cylinder. [This message has been edited by oneshy (edited 02-18-2002).]

Der Gebirgsjager

Good Advice.

Xracer

I really don't suppose it matters a heck of a lot, as long as you're consistant and you get good results.I taper crimp for both revolvers and autos.

joeaf1911a1

SaxonPig: Glad someone else agrees with me about the .45 auto headspacing on the extractor. Have purpossely trimmed .100"off cases and still chamber. Just to try.Not a norm. Good thinking.

Rocklobster

Yep,I've been trying to convince people of that for years-nobody (except you guys) believes it.Another thing to think about-a good,uniform,firm crimp also ensures that the powder's initial ignition is uniform,which makes for better,more consistent accuracy.

v35

Uniform bullet pull is essential for best accuracy. Heavy roll crimps are especially necessary on heavy bullets and heavy loads in light revolvers to prevent bullets from jumping forward out of the crimp during firing. 250 grain bullets in 44cal and 45 long colt are good examples of this.