Crimping - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

atmiller · 04-23-2008, 04:29 AM

I'm getting ready to work up some 9mm loads using 147 grain lead bullets over Unique. Do I need to crimp?

Thanks.

bigun · 04-24-2008, 02:28 AM

Yes a taper crimp is important with any ammo fired through a semi auto handgun. Try the Lee factory crimp die. I've been using them since they were introduced and have never had a bit of bullet set back and they are sure feeding.

scooterj · 04-24-2008, 12:43 PM

Be very careful with the crimp. Over crimping can boost preasures way up and deform the bullet causing accuracy issues. Case wall tension is all you need to retain the bullet. I use the crimp die ONLY to remove the flare from the case for all my semi autos. Heavy recoiling revolvers, on the other hand, need a good roll crimp to keep the bullet seated in place.

Jack the Toad · 04-24-2008, 06:11 PM

I measured all the factory rounds I could get my hands on at the crimp. All measured .375 . I set my taper crimp die (RCBS) until I reached that crimp. In essence it mearly removes the flair and very little more. If your sizing die is doing it's job that is about all you need. I am just getting beyond 600 rounds of 9mm loaded(and fired ) but I've loaded thousands of .380 Autos and never had any problems at all. Also 10's of thousands of .41 mags. since the early 80's and never had any problem of any kind. Naturally, the .41 is a pretty heavy roll crimp.

04-23-2008, 04:29 AM	#1
atmiller XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 883	Crimping I'm getting ready to work up some 9mm loads using 147 grain lead bullets over Unique. Do I need to crimp? Thanks. __________________ NRA Life Member XD-40 Subcompact XD-9 Service with laser sight XD-9 Tactical with Storm Lake Barrel, mag well, CobraChrome, Williams Firesights, Drop-In Sear and Trigger Bar XD-40 Tactical with mag well, Don's Guide Rod & 22 lb. Spring XD-45ACP Tactical with TLR-1 XDm-40 Bi-Tone with Don's Guide Rod Most Recent Purchase: Romanian RPK

04-24-2008, 02:28 AM	#2
bigun XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern Iowa Posts: 2,563	Yes a taper crimp is important with any ammo fired through a semi auto handgun. Try the Lee factory crimp die. I've been using them since they were introduced and have never had a bit of bullet set back and they are sure feeding. __________________ Remington Rand 1911A1, Kimber Pro CDP 2, Kimber Custom Target, Ruger mark2 Govt model with Bushnell Holo site, Beretta 92D 9mm, Kahr K-40, Coming soon Kimber Warrior or Springfield Operator.

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04-24-2008, 12:43 PM	#3
scooterj XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LaPlace, LA Posts: 121	Be very careful with the crimp. Over crimping can boost preasures way up and deform the bullet causing accuracy issues. Case wall tension is all you need to retain the bullet. I use the crimp die ONLY to remove the flare from the case for all my semi autos. Heavy recoiling revolvers, on the other hand, need a good roll crimp to keep the bullet seated in place.

04-24-2008, 06:11 PM	#4
Jack the Toad XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 96	I measured all the factory rounds I could get my hands on at the crimp. All measured .375 . I set my taper crimp die (RCBS) until I reached that crimp. In essence it mearly removes the flair and very little more. If your sizing die is doing it's job that is about all you need. I am just getting beyond 600 rounds of 9mm loaded(and fired ) but I've loaded thousands of .380 Autos and never had any problems at all. Also 10's of thousands of .41 mags. since the early 80's and never had any problem of any kind. Naturally, the .41 is a pretty heavy roll crimp.