Hello all, and thanks in advance for any input.

I am curious to see what type of crimp members are using whn loading heavy cast bullets for handguns (I.E. the Beartooth 330 grain .44). Typical roll or a specialty such as Redding Profile or Lee Factory?

Any input greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jason

For revolver bullets with a crimp groove, a roll crimp is never a bad idea.

Rolled crimp on all revolvers. Taper crimp on semi-auto's. Taper crimp on 45-70 levergun.

The Lee factory is a roll crimp except on auto loaders where it is a taper crimp.

The Lee factory is a roll crimp except on auto loaders where it is a taper crimp.

I roll crimp all my revolver loads, even for one of my autos - it's a Desert Eagle. I had read about using special crimps on heavy lead bullets, particularly the Redding Profile, and was just curious if anyone had a take on it.

Been reloading for years, only now starting to work with heavier cast bullets, Did not know if a different or heavier crimp might be in order.

Thanks for the replies,

Jason

I use a roll crimp on all revolver bullets that have a crimp groove. You may find that target or plinker loads only require a light crimp whereas a heavy hunting load may require a heavier one. After test firing a few rounds, check the unfired rounds in your firearm to see if the bullets are shaking free of the crimp and adjust your crimp as needed. IMHO, to obtain a consistant crimp, it is best to check revolver cases for OAL and trim as necessary. I have found that revolver cases that have been crimped with a collet type crimper thins the thickness of the brass at the mouth which is detrimental to obtaining a good roll crimp. The thinned brass tends to squeeze past the crimper rather than roll into the crimp groove. I don't know if other reloaders have had the same experience. I generally use this kind of brass for plinker loads.

Hello all, and thanks in advance for any input.

I am curious to see what type of crimp members are using whn loading heavy cast bullets for handguns (I.E. the Beartooth 330 grain .44). Typical roll or a specialty such as Redding Profile or Lee Factory?

Any input greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jason
Jason, I use the Redding Profile Crimp die for that application. I'm sure that different folks all have their own thoughts & experiences on this. Tried both the Redding Profile crimp & Lee Factory crimp for this and preferred the Redding. I use the Lee Factory Crimp die extensively for my rifles, not as taken with them for pistols after trying several. Different design between the two - rifle is a collet type crimp, pistol has a carbide ring in it. Anyway, my experience FWIW.