I’ve been reading everything I could find regarding the use of a taper crimp vs a roll crimp for handgun ammunition with great interest because it’s an issue I have to resolve very soon.
I just bought a Dillon XL650 with every bell and whistle they make for it. I also got a set of Dillon dies for all calibers I’ll be loading. Those calibers are .38 Spl, .357 Mag, .45 ACP, 9mm, and .45 Long Colt.
Now if I am correctly interpreting “most” of what I’m reading, the majority of people loading for handguns feel that the taper crimp is best for semi-auto handgun loads such as the 9mm and the .45 ACP because it works best at keeping the bullet from being shoved back into the case on the way up the ramp. On the other hand the roll crimp is apparently best for revolver loads such as the .38 Spl, .357 Mag, and .45 Long Colt because it prevents the bullet from advancing forward in the case under recoil (like a kinetic bullet puller) and thus locking up the revolver’s cylinder. Apparently factory ammunition is loaded using a taper crimp for semi-auto ammunition and a roll crimp for revolver ammunition. At least so I am told.
So first of all, would most of you agree that a taper crimp for semi-auto handgun ammo and a roll crimp for revolver ammo seems to be the best way to go?
Secondly, I’m assuming in either case I can still use my stock Dillon carbide sizing and seating dies, but for the revolver ammo I’m going to have to purchase a different crimping die
That being the case, who makes the “best” crimping die for a rolled crimp? And is it wise to buy just the crimping die, or should I buy the whole set?
I’m told Redding, for example, makes some of the very best dies available. Could I get just a Redding crimping die for each revolver caliber – or should I buy the whole Redding set for those calibers I want to use a rolled crimp on?
I’d appreciate hearing what other hand loaders are using in their progressive presses when loading for revolver and/or semi-auto.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and knowledge.
I just bought a Dillon XL650 with every bell and whistle they make for it. I also got a set of Dillon dies for all calibers I’ll be loading. Those calibers are .38 Spl, .357 Mag, .45 ACP, 9mm, and .45 Long Colt.
Now if I am correctly interpreting “most” of what I’m reading, the majority of people loading for handguns feel that the taper crimp is best for semi-auto handgun loads such as the 9mm and the .45 ACP because it works best at keeping the bullet from being shoved back into the case on the way up the ramp. On the other hand the roll crimp is apparently best for revolver loads such as the .38 Spl, .357 Mag, and .45 Long Colt because it prevents the bullet from advancing forward in the case under recoil (like a kinetic bullet puller) and thus locking up the revolver’s cylinder. Apparently factory ammunition is loaded using a taper crimp for semi-auto ammunition and a roll crimp for revolver ammunition. At least so I am told.
So first of all, would most of you agree that a taper crimp for semi-auto handgun ammo and a roll crimp for revolver ammo seems to be the best way to go?
Secondly, I’m assuming in either case I can still use my stock Dillon carbide sizing and seating dies, but for the revolver ammo I’m going to have to purchase a different crimping die
That being the case, who makes the “best” crimping die for a rolled crimp? And is it wise to buy just the crimping die, or should I buy the whole set?
I’m told Redding, for example, makes some of the very best dies available. Could I get just a Redding crimping die for each revolver caliber – or should I buy the whole Redding set for those calibers I want to use a rolled crimp on?
I’d appreciate hearing what other hand loaders are using in their progressive presses when loading for revolver and/or semi-auto.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and knowledge.