To Crimp or not to Crimp

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy all!

Well, folks - what's your take on this?  I've heard about all the types.  I shoot 45-70 with soft bullets, so I'm thinking that a firm crimp, like the ones produced by a Lee Factory crimp die is a no-no.  I'm shooting these rounds thru a Taylor's Sharps repro.  So far, I've been shooting 405 gr bullets, but soon I'll be using bullets that I cast that are 535 gr from a Lyman #457132DV mould.

What say you?

Thanks ahead of time for your answers.

Jeff  "Steel Horse Bailey"

[Delmonico]

Jeff, I use a taper crimp with mine.  Most the stuff I had "READ" said don't crimp, me being the type that don't always believe what I read I tried both ways and for some funny reason my rifle doesn't seem to be able to read. 

Of course your milage may vary depending on which book or forum board you have read.   One never knows till you try it.

[Otter]

I generally don't crimp my 45-70 loads. I put a light crimp on them when they are for hunting use, just enough to keep the bullet from falling out. Don't have any empirical data to support crimp or no crimp - just the way I do it. YMMV . . .

[Silver Creek Slim]

I crimp so the boolit isn't pushed out by all the powder I've stuffed under it. 

Slim

[Bristow Kid]

I use just enough crimp to hold the bullet firmly in place.

Bristow Kid

[Flinch Morningwood]

I am thinking of getting the 457132 mould as well...you might try making up a batch of crimped and non-crimped - all else equal but the crimp.  Then go shoot them and see...you could even be so technical as to put an upper and lower target up and alternate the test groups so fouling would be fairly equal.

I am Shooting an EMF Pedretti Sharps so I'd be interested to know what works for you...

[geo]

load my 50/70 with just enough crimp to keep the bullet in place. good luck, geo.

[Montana Slim]

Another factor is whether you resize the neck...If you don't resize, you'll likely need some crimp (depending on bullet dia) to keep it from working itself out.

I resize and the bullet ain't gonna fall out, so I use just enough crimp to de-flare the mouth....makes chambering easier.

The preaparation of one's ammo will largely depend on what your'e intended use is......A good load for the ol' NCOWS buffalo match may not be ideal for BPCR match or a bullseye match

Slim

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Thanks for all replies.  I guess this means I'll be trying out both methods.  I wanted the opinions.  Seems like the BenchRest shooters generally don't crimp, but I'm not a BR capable person. 

Obviously, someone with a tube-fed Marlin would crimp.

Thanks again.

[Dakota Widowmaker]

Tuber feeders (i.e. "leverguns") need a roll crimp or a good neck resizing that extends BELOW the base of where you are going to seat your bullet by 1/4" inch or so.

My 45-90 and my 38-55 both like a nice even neck resize and a good clean roll crimp on a seperate die.

With either one, I generally have enough powder under the bullet so that bullet set-back is not an issue.

[mrbig6045]

i use a taper crimp on my 45-70 bp rounds,just to kinda hold round nose 500 grain bullet in place.dont know if it really needs it,but i think it looks better too

[HorsePen Henry]

I use ta shoot 45-90 quite a bit with cast bullets and I always used a slight crimp. Not much, just enough ta keep the bullet from slipping out at a time when I don't need 'em to.

[Cyrille]

Single shot rifle rounds aren't crimped by some shooters in BPCR matches some do crimp. I think it all comes down to personal preference or what the indiviual rifle likes best.

[French Jack]

The only rounds I crimp are the pistol and Spencer rounds.  All others I run in the die just enough to remove the bell from the neck expander.  I have had no  problems, and accuracy has never been affected.  Of, course, I'm not shooting them in a lever action, so no problem.  Come to think of it, with a case stuffed full of compressed 2F black, the bullet is not going in the case further.-- and it is snug enough not to work loose.