Need help Crimping plated and lead bullets.

[Mikewood]

I have a 500S&W and when loading of jacketed bullets with cannelures it seems easy. Crimp at the cannelure and use a good crimp that binds the bullet. I get a good clean burn and good velocity.

I got a bunch of plated bullets without cannelures and I am seating them to the same OAL as jacketed bullets and used the same crimp. The problem is I don't get good powder burn and velocity as shown. I have been advised to "crimp" more firmly. The problem is I don't know what that means. Sure I measure case length and I turn down the die until it touches the shell plate and the edge of the case mouth rolls sharply into the bullet. Seems simple enough. What am i missing? Can I over crimp? I know there is a direct relation between charge weight and crimp on the pressure curve. So how do you get a repeatable crimp?
Thanks.

 

[TexMex247]

I load a ton of plated and lead bullets for the 45 colt. Personally, I prefer to use the Lee factory crimp die to finish off all of my rounds. Most people advise using a heavy roll crimp but I like the results I get with the Lee FCD. It will create a light cannelure of its own when you use it on plated or lead bullets. It allows great consistency in crimping because it creates a crimp based on the OAL of your brass. As long as you batch out very consistent brass, you will also get very consistent crimps out of it. Also, it is definitely possible to over crimp your rounds, so watch for/measure your brass at the crimp. An experienced loader for the 500 can probably tell you a good measurement to look for right at the crimp. Hope this helps a bit - Texmex

 

[Texas1911]

It's not a good idea to heavily crimp plated bullets, and/or push them very fast (1100 - 1200 FPS is a good limit). Reason being is that the plating is extremely thin, and either a heavy crimp or the high velocity will cause increased leading of the bore. Some people have good results with exceeding limits, but just keep that in mind as you test the load. If you get significant fouling in the bore, it will jack the pressure up quick, and that can be extremely dangerous with a .500 S&W (it's also a leading cause of Glock's going kaboom).

My experience with plated bullets is that they don't like to exceed about 1000 FPS. They'll still shoot and won't lead, but the accuracy sucks. I got 1/3rd the group size pushing them around the 850 - 950 FPS range, and that's going to be hard with a .500 S&W without going to Trailboss or a heavy as hell bullet.

 

[Vaquero]

Are you trimming the cases before loading the primer powder and bullet? That's the only way to get consistent crimps.

 

[Vaquero]

Another thought. Seating to the same OAL is fine if the ogive of the bullets and nose type match. If the AOL of a JHP is the same as a semi-wadcutter it most likely won't give satisfactory results.

 

[Vaquero]

AOL, sheesh!! OAL, sorry.

 

[mikeofcontex]

w/o a cannelure, taper crimp...

 

[Texas42]

Stupid question. . . .You have have a 500 S&W. .. . . why plated bullets?

 

[Vaquero]

Stupid question. . . .You have have a 500 S&W. .. . . why plated bullets?

Hmmm. Mental note.

 

[rlw454]

buy a taper crimp it will work better

 

[country_boy]

I use the FCD in all my calibers. Works every time.

 

[scap99]

cheap to practice with...

Cheap, practice and .500 don't seem to play well together...

 

[Kyreb]

Mike,
When I switched to plated bullets in my .40 for IPSC, my accuracy went to pieces. The factory (Berry) advised using the lightest crimp possible to keep from damaging the bullet.
They also suggested I use a faster burning powder.
I went to a very light taper crimp and VIT N320 powder. That solved my problems.
I realize there is a lot of difference between .40 S&W and a .500.....but this was my experience with plated bullets. Rick

 

[mikeofcontex]

I've used 135g 9mm with a taper crimp and 230g 45ACP with a taper crimp and accuracy and general performance were very good. Both were loaded over Unique.

 

[woolleyworm]

Mike,
When I switched to plated bullets in my .40 for IPSC, my accuracy went to pieces. The factory (Berry) advised using the lightest crimp possible to keep from damaging the bullet.
They also suggested I use a faster burning powder.
I went to a very light taper crimp and VIT N320 powder. That solved my problems.
I realize there is a lot of difference between .40 S&W and a .500.....but this was my experience with plated bullets. Rick

This post hits the nail on the head. Try AA-9 or Titegroup and see what happens. There's published loads for both. btw - what powders are you using ?