Roll vs Taper

[mbarasing]

When do you roll and when to taper?

[fc60]

Greetings,

In general, I use a Taper Crimp. It allows for case length variation and does not work the brass as severely.

For guns that have issues feeding taper crimped ammo, I switch to the roll crimp. The roll crimp works the brass more and you will get shorter case life due to cracks at the mouth.

Cheers,

Dave

[charlie b]

I roll crimp for revolvers and taper crimp (a little bit) for semi-autos.

PS my revolver loads are .357Mag so roll crimping is recommended.

[rcslotcar]

charlie b, has it right.

[ShooterAZ]

I typically use a roll crimp on only the heaviest recoiling revolver rounds, and a taper or profile crimp crimp on most everything else.

[44MAG#1]

I roll crimp revolver rounds and taper crimp semi-auto rounds fairly heavy.

[DougGuy]

Roll crimp for wheelguns, taper crimp for autos.

[Winger Ed.]

As well as the least mouth flare that will work:
I use a taper crimp as much as I can, or the least amount of roll crimp I can get away with to prolong the brass life span
by minimizing mouth splits from the brass being 'worked' so much.

[Burnt Fingers]

A proper taper crimp for a cartridge that headspaces on the case mouth is more about removing any case flare than actual crimping.

I'm switching over to the Redding profile crimp on cases that actually need a crimp.

[fecmech]

I taper crimp everything.

[fredj338]

I only roll crimp when I have a crimp groove.

[44MAG#1]

Taper crimp, is a personal thing. Some will say use the bare minimum. Some will taper crimp heavily. All have their reasons and it seem most have good results with their favorite way. Wilson Combat uses a .469" crimp on their 45 Auto cast bullet ammo. Most major ammo manufacturers use a fairly decent taper crimp on their defense ammo. I know on the rounds I've pulled from 3 brands they are. I sacrifice to find out.
So I crimp to .469 down to .468 inch on 45 Auto. I taper crimp in proportion to the caliber I am loading for. 40 S&W and 10MM.

[lightman]

I'm another that roll crimps revolvers and taper crimps autos.

[Mk42gunner]

I normally roll crimp revolvers and anything fed from tube magazine (typically lever action rifles) and taper crimp box magazine fed semi autos. Although I do like the looks of a Redding Profile crimp die, I may spend a few bucks on more of them once the panic dies down.

Single shot and bolt action rifles I don't usually crimp, just straighten the flare.

Robert

[mbarasing]

Thanks for all the feedback.

It seems like taper crimp for all brass that headspaces off the mouth, or in order to limit brass wear. Roll crimp when a strong crimp is needed and the mouth is not need to headspace.