Crimping - Seat/Crimp in Single Step or Seat Crimp Separately?

[Racer X]

I am loading for a 45 Colt Blackhawk using the 250 Keith and RCBS 270 SAA bullets, and most often shoot light to moderate loads that run 900 - 1150 FPS.

Since I started handloading again a few years ago, I have been seating and then crimping as a separate step. Are separate seating/crimping operations really necessary, or could I get away with combining these steps? I am not willing to sacrafice accuracy. Note my dies are RCBS Cowboy dies.

[jimster]

I also seat first....then crimp as a separate operation.   Also using RCBS cowboy dies for my 45 colt.

I know some people seat and crimp at the same time,  but I am kind of fussy, and I have the time, so I do it the way I want.  The crimp die is backed off while I seat the bullets, after I seat them all, I back off the bullet seat, and then crimp them all.  I think my ammo is a little higher quality this way.  45 Colt is my favorite caliber, so I don't mind taking my time.   

[John R.]

I seat and crimp seprately as I believe it gives a more uniform crimp. I also use a redding profile crimp die because It rolls the crimp better than the Dillion Die does. (I only do this on my hunting loads, I use the Dillon Progressive for my plinking loads, but it is still a separate seat and crimp)

[Racer X]

I was using the Redding Profile Crimp Die for awhile, but I don't like having to lube case necks before crimping. Also, the Redding die shaves brass around the case mouth. I recently started using the RCBS seater die for crimping, although in a separate step.

[yooper77]

I load for the 45 Colt & 454 Casull using RCBS 454 Casull dies.

I use a separate Lee roll crimping die after I seat the bullets, to achieve a heavy perfect crimp.

yooper77

[cwlongshot]

I too have done it both ways and still do...for the most part. 

If its just plinking/cowboy loads I am making, I do it in a single step. (Read hi-volume/lo-pressure loads.)This is primairly done on a Dillon 550.

I agree a better/more consistent crimp comes from doing it separately. I do this for my hunting/full house loads. As that crimp is an important part of an accurate loading. This is done single stage.

I too like the Redding setup best.

CW

[Glanceblamm]

I do both steps separately but it has only been for about two years now....
Problems with doing both at the same time have been some shaving of the bullets on the cast and inconsistant OAL with cast & jacketed but perhaps I had too hard of a crimp?
These problems went away when I separated the Seating/Crimp

[mjbgalt]

i don't always even crimp them. if i am shooting high-power loads then i do. but for wimpy target loads that don't really worry about it.

when i do crimp them i do it with a cheapie lee die which crimps and seats in one motion.

I have not had problems with this...

-Matt

[BigJakeJ1s]

I seat and crimp in one step with a Hornady die. No shaved bullets, not OAL problems, and perfect crimps every time.

Andy

[buck460XVR]

I too seat and crimp in one step with RCBS dies. No shaved bullets, no inconsistant OALs and no bullet movement from recoil in my Magnum handguns. I tried the two step method and found no significant difference in overall accuracy than doing it in one step.


BTW.I load for .357 mag, .44 mag and .460 mag.

[Autorim]

IME the crimping operation is the fastest of all steps so I seat and crimp in separate steps. The small amount of time it takes to crimp separately is worth it to me to help ensure a quality reload. In the Dillon of course the time is the same. Crimping varies with case length so if a uniform crimp is important the case length must be uniform - doesn't matter what the length is as long as all are the same.

I will admit, I am probably more fussy with my reloads also. I was well taught.

Autorim

[Steve P]

Seating and crimping at the same time is like parking the car in the garage while closing the garage door.  It may work some of the time, but sooner or later you are gonna have the door hit the car.  I always seat the bullet in one step and crimp in another.  Some of my ammo actually gets a taper crimp and a roll crimp to confirm bullet is centered in the case and then crimped in place.  Makes for some pretty accurate revolver ammo.

Good luck and stay safe.

Steve

[cwlongshot]

Just tonight I was loading up some 45Colts with MIDWAY brass. I am finding that this brass is quite thick and the extra thickness is forcing crimping as an additional step.

Usually I just turn the seating die out a turn or so and seat. Then go back and adjust for crimping with out the seating stem in place. Well, These cases forced me to back the die out 3-4 turns and adjust the stem deeper to compensate.

 I thought of this thread right away!

I was also looking at the Dillon 550... it does the crimping separate, so I guess I was wrong, I even crimp the cowboy loads separately. I just didn't realize it!!

 CW

[gypsyman]

I've seated in one step, and crimped in another. Just seemed to make sense not to try and squeeze the brass down, while pushing the bullet into place. And since I was using the Redding Profile crimp die, I couldn't seat and crimp in the same step if I wanted to. gypsyman

[Mikey]

Racer X - hate to say this but I sometimes crimp twice.  I often find it necessary as I often make the mistake of using brass from various makers when I run out a bunch of loads.  I will seat and lightly crimp in one step if I am using just one make of brass, and I don't have to adjust the seater/crimper for a short case, and then I will run it partway back into the sizing die (without the decapping pin) to get a tight crimp.  You have to feel your way on this last step as you do not need to run the loded round very far into the decapped sizer to feel the action crimp the case.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[AtlLaw]

Just tonight I was loading up some 45Colts with MIDWAY brass. ...  I thought of this thread right away!

Funny, just last night I was loading up some 45/70's!  And I thought of this thread!   

Usually I just turn the seating die out a turn or so and seat. Then go back and adjust for crimping with out the seating stem in place.

That's just the way I do it!  Until I get a Lee Factory Crimp Die for the round I'm loading anyway.