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Roll Crimp for Rifle Calibers

DocBII

Gold $$ Contributor
Good day,

I've started loading solid copper bullets for several calibers for hunting buddies. The bullets tend to include a cannelure, which can use a roll crimp, rather than a taper crimp. These are for hunting applications, not target use.

I don't wish to screw up the brass using a LEE factory crimp die, but I'm unable to find a roll crimp die for a standard roll crimp unless the seating die provides a roll crimp. Most rifle dies only provide a taper crimp.

Any suggestions for obtaining a roll crimper for a caliber which has a large body opening and a short throat which will perform the roll crimp? Such as one which will work for a 30-06 and 300 WM or 6mm Remington and .243 Win?

Thanks for the help,
DocBII
 
DocBII said:
Good day,

I've started loading solid copper bullets for several calibers for hunting buddies. The bullets tend to include a cannelure, which can use a roll crimp, rather than a taper crimp. These are for hunting applications, not target use.

I don't wish to screw up the brass using a LEE factory crimp die, but I'm unable to find a roll crimp die for a standard roll crimp unless the seating die provides a roll crimp. Most rifle dies only provide a taper crimp.

Any suggestions for obtaining a roll crimper for a caliber which has a large body opening and a short throat which will perform the roll crimp? Such as one which will work for a 30-06 and 300 WM or 6mm Remington and .243 Win?

Thanks for the help,
DocBII
Click to expand...
The Lee Factory one really doesn’t mess the brass up.
 
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Are you talking about the first or second example?
The grooves cut in the monolithic bullets, to my understanding, were a way to reduce pressures and not necessarily to hold the bullet. I may have been wrong but I used a few Barnes monolithic bullets and never did any crimp.
And for the grooves as in example one, I never rolled anything there.
Also, I don't understand the comment on Lee Factory Crimp Dies. Never had "messed up" brass using them.
 
DocBII said:
Good day,

I've started loading solid copper bullets for several calibers for hunting buddies. The bullets tend to include a cannelure, which can use a roll crimp, rather than a taper crimp. These are for hunting applications, not target use.

I don't wish to screw up the brass using a LEE factory crimp die, but I'm unable to find a roll crimp die for a standard roll crimp unless the seating die provides a roll crimp. Most rifle dies only provide a taper crimp.

Any suggestions for obtaining a roll crimper for a caliber which has a large body opening and a short throat which will perform the roll crimp? Such as one which will work for a 30-06 and 300 WM or 6mm Remington and .243 Win?

Thanks for the help,
DocBII
Click to expand...
No reason to crimp. If the bullet moves in the magazine from recoil increase the neck tension.
 
Good day,

I have three Lee FC dies, and they are great or the right application. These are not one of them.

I've found on loads for a couple of rifles using the roll crimp will help with feeding of the round by rounding the mouth of the case into the cannelure. Taper crimp would help, but not eliminate the problem and I didn't want to mess with the action. Increasing the bullet tension is secondary and eliminating recoil movement is tertiary.

Only one groove on the Hornady CU bullets, guessing it's for crimping since it at the correct length for some rounds. The Barnes 165 TTSX has several grooves and Barnes says these are for friction reduction. The top groove in in the right place for a crimp on a 300 WM 3.3xx length cartridge. Since it's there, I'd like to use a roll crimp with it, if only to reduce possible feeding problems.

Still looking for what I'm describing.

Thanks for all the input,
DocBII
 
Kracken McGraw said:
The Lee Factory one really doesn’t mess the brass up.
Click to expand...
It doesn’t?…… looks like you used a cold chisel or an electricians crimping pliers on them!…I don’t own many lee dies but the ones I do own I wouldn’t use there 4 prong crimp die….. yuk!…
Wayne
 
For several years I used the lee FCD on the ammo I loaded for my ar's. Until I actually tested the same loads w/FCD & W/O FCD. The results were 100% better w/o on 4 different uppers. I no longer use the FCD. Do your own comparison. Maybe it helps, maybe it doesn't.
Al
 
Most applications don't require a crimp at all. When needed, most folks over do it with the Lee Factory Crimp Die. It doesn't take much at all...if you can see the crimp marks with a naked eye, then it's probably way too much. Try a very light crimp and then turn the cartridge ~20° and apply again.
Good luck!
 
Good day,

I'm not looking for a flame war about neck tension, crimping or the Lee FCD. All of these have a place for use, it's just up to you to find it. After reloading for 50+ years, I'm still learning and figuring out new things.

I was hoping one of the vendors such as PBKING, PMA or such would have a die with a roll crimp on the low end (closest to shell holder) and wide body opening which would accept a variety of cartridges in one caliber with reasonably different neck thicknesses. Adjustment of the amount of crimp by careful setting of the die. No need for it to do shoulder bump, body sizing or neck sizing, just a roll crimp.

Still looking for information from someone who has played with such a thing or can make some in different calibers. I'll ignore and not respond to any messages not related to my request.

Thanks again,
DocBII
 
Last edited:
DocBII said:
Good day,

I have three Lee FC dies, and they are great or the right application. These are not one of them.

I've found on loads for a couple of rifles using the roll crimp will help with feeding of the round by rounding the mouth of the case into the cannelure. Taper crimp would help, but not eliminate the problem and I didn't want to mess with the action. Increasing the bullet tension is secondary and eliminating recoil movement is tertiary.

Only one groove on the Hornady CU bullets, guessing it's for crimping since it at the correct length for some rounds. The Barnes 165 TTSX has several grooves and Barnes says these are for friction reduction. The top groove in in the right place for a crimp on a 300 WM 3.3xx length cartridge. Since it's there, I'd like to use a roll crimp with it, if only to reduce possible feeding problems.

Still looking for what I'm describing.

Thanks for all the input,
DocBII
Click to expand...
Why would you think a crimp helps feed from the magazine. Is this an imagined problem. It don't think there is any part of the magaazine for the neck to bump into as it comes out of the magzine.
 
drop_point said:
If it isn't a semi-auto, no reason to crimp hunting ammunition.
Click to expand...
How come SAAMI shows crimps then, it was how they were tested on every hunting cartridge? All the hunting ammo I have purchased has a crimp by the manufacturer. Inquiring minds want to know.
 
Last edited:
BigBolt said:
How come SAMMI shows crimps then, it was how they were tested on every hunting cartridge? All the hunting ammo I have purchased has a crimp by the manufacturer. Inquiring minds want to know.
Click to expand...
Because they hadn't learned what we have learned today and some rounds are expected to function in semi-automatics.

If you're not using this ammo in a hard-hitting semi-automatic, you're not doing yourself any favors.
 
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