Seating & Crimping - 1 or 2 Steps?

[JDinFbg]

After reading and seeing several things on this subject, I'm having a debate with myself and losing the argument both ways. So, what process do you follow when seating and crimping cannelured bullets in cartridges for which crimping is generally recommended? Specifically, my focus is on the 30-30 Winchester round to be used in a tubular magazine rifle. I want to test different styles and weights of bullets, so wondering what the best process would be.

 

[Charlie98]

Both.

When I run a taper crimp, I do it in 2 steps... in fact, I bought my Hornady ProJector 5-station press solely because it had 5 stations... so I could crimp in a separate step. If I'm roll crimping... using the included roll crimp in the seat die, it's a one-step process.

With something like the .30-30, using a bullet with a cannelure (jacketed bullet) or crimp groove (cast bullet) seating and crimping in one step is fine. Particularly with plated bullets (think .45 ACP...) I like to taper crimp separately to avoid damaging the plating.

 

[badkarmamib]

My Lee bullet seating die for .30-30 is dead-length, i.e. it does NO crimping. The set also came with the FCD, so I use 2 steps for mine.

Other than that, I taper-crimp semi-auto pistol just to remove the bell. I don't load for revolver, and none of my semi-auto or bolt rifles get crimped.

 

[reddog81]

It depends on the die sets and bullets being used. For a light roll crimp I do it in 1 step and for taper crimps I usually use a seperate crimp die.

 

[Charlie98]

Given the question is about the .30-30 specifically, I will add... that in the .30-30, you really need to pay attention to the trim-to length. Because .30-30 brass is pretty thin, if the cases are not all pretty close in length, you will start crushing necks and shoulders, particularly with a roll crimp. I revisited that problem just 2 days ago... trying to reseat some pulled bullets.

 

[edwardware]

Always in separate steps, except for pistol calibers that I'm not squeezing accuracy out of.

But I almost never crimp anything BUT pistol and tubular-magazine cartridges. . .

 

[Walkalong]

It depends.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-crimp-in-two-stages.623417/#post-7699828


Seated & Crimped in one step with a Hornady seater.

 

[Walkalong]

Specifically, my focus is on the 30-30 Winchester round to be used in a tubular magazine rifle

With standard crimp in a seat/crimp die it can be done either way, unless the cannelure or crimp groove is crap (No depth), then it will work better in two steps.

If you are using your FCD it will need to be done in a second step since it doesn't seat and only crimps, so I assume (?) you are looking at another way to crimp?

 

[CMV]

I'm both too. And often none depending on what it is.

 

[JimKirk]

If it is possible I do it in one step .... If not then two ....
One step needs the brass to be close the same length ....

I didn't vote because "both" wasn't a choice....

 

[Blue68f100]

It depends. On handgun most always 2 steps. With Rifle I don't crimp. But in your case the 30-30 requires it. When doing it in rifle don't start the crimp till it's at least midway in to the cannelure.

You have more control over the crimp doing it in 2 steps.

 

[ATLDave]

2 steps for me if I can. Sometimes there’s no crimp die available, then it’s all in one.

 

[Toprudder]

I voted 2 steps, but when I am loading bullets with an actual crimp groove (not a cannelure) I will usually do that in one step.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use a Lee turret press with 4 stations for handgun ammo so since I have the spot for a 4th die I seat and crimp in a separate operation. I use one die on my 45-70 ammo because I only have a Hornady 3 die set and it works just fine. I have a Lee 4 die set with a FCD for the 30-30 and use it. I guess I could vote both too.

Either way works, just pick which works better for you or which way you like better.

 

[jmorris]

If I am going to crimp I prefer 2 steps but I can’t always do that so sometimes I do both at the same time.

 

[243winxb]

30-30 no crimp. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/30-30-do-i-need-a-crimp-die.325379/

 

[hdbiker]

when I want a crimp, I always seat and crimp with one pull. hdbiker

 

[CoalTrain49]

Both.

I use RCBS dies and the 1 step die is pretty good for roll crimps on cannelured bullets. For taper crimps I use the two step method. Never had much luck with one step dies for taper crimps. Not a consideration of rifle cartridges as I don't crimp.

Probably just me but that's where I ended up. Probably never change that system because I was a long time getting it figured out.

 

[thomas15]

I voted 2 steps, but when I am loading bullets with an actual crimp groove (not a cannelure) I will usually do that in one step.

I voted the same and for the same reason.

 

[1KPerDay]

I use four stations and crimp in separate steps, or at least partially crimp when seating and finish the crimp in a separate step, when possible. However on the Pro1K with 3 stations I seat and crimp in the same station and if you set it up correctly it's not an issue. It is a little more fiddly to get the OAL and crimp where you want it when making changes.

For rifle I mostly don't crimp (for Garands) but in the few cases where I shoot lead I seat in one step and then use the FCD/collet crimping die in a separate step.