Crimp, How much is too much? Specifically .44mag and .357 mag Keith style

[Capt.Red.44]

To 44mag Leo and JustinDad, excellent info! Exactly what I was hoping to find. I have 2 lbs of 2400 and 1 lb Unique. I was just testing the blue dot for a lighter charge weight and powder conservation. Also. The cases that split , fell right out of the cylinder, no tough love required. Im guessing just bad brass at this point. Ill watch and compare my crimper brass next time with your caliper trick!

[fredj338]

A good crimp is important with slow powders but I doubt it can cause over pressure issues. A good roll crimp helps get ignition going but the crimp is jumped pretty much on firing.

[Hanzy4200]

Crimp is relative to the load. I have had no issues with a light crimp on all loads aside from the real heavy hitters. My only exceptions are very hot .44 mag and .500 Linebaugh loads. Many people WAY over do crimping. If you are concerned, load a cylinder and fire a round. Check for bullet jump. Repeat through the cylinder.

[Mk42gunner]

Just to throw some more wood on the fire, I think proper case neck tension does more to prevent bullets pulling on recoil than any type or amount of crimp. If your case doesn't grip the projectile firmly, no amount of crimp will hold it.

Robert