Seat & Crimp in one step?

[wkuban]

If you taper crimp it is better to crimp in a separate operation. I was using RCBS dies to load 9mm, the nose of the bullets were being deformed in the process. Seating the bullet and then crimping afterward solved the problem. I don't see any difference in revlover ammo where there is a crimp groove. Bullets without the crimp groove should be taper crimpped after the bullet is seated.

 

[buck460XVR]

The majority of my handgun loads, both revolver and autoloaders, are seated and crimped in one step. I have done testing for accuracy doing both and the difference is so small that for me, the majority of the time, it is not worth the extra step on the single stage press. Exceptions are when loading .460 ammo. It's hard to get enough crimp on that long of case in one step without the risk of buckling cases. In my other magnum revolver ammo, I've found that trimming cases for consistent length in hunting ammo is more relevant for consistent accuracy than seating and crimping in two steps.

 

[Crashbox]

When I first began reloading I seated and crimped in one operation but as time went on I went to seating and crimping separately. I use the Redding Profile Crimp dies for my .357 Magnum rounds, and LEE Factory Crimp dies for my .40 S&W and .405 Winchester.

I like the versatility that the separate operations give.