im having a problem setting the taper crimp on .45 autos. i have a rcbs taper crimp die set and when i follow the instructions the first round is perfect. as soon as i load a second round in to the press it seems like its crimping the round before the slug is fully seated and its smashing the nose of the slug.

any sudgestions?

are all your cases trimmed to the same length?

nope, i dont have a case trimmer. can i remove the steam out of the die after i seat a run of slugs and then crimp them individually after the fact?

Yes you should seat and crimp in seperate steps. You don't need to remove the stem just back it out.

Or get a separate crimping die is you don't want to re-set your seating depth each time you reload.

Apparently the gun is uninfluenced by varying headspace.

quote:

Yes you should seat and crimp in seperate steps. You don't need to remove the stem just back it out.

In fact I ddin't think that RCBS TC dies were tapped for a seating plug?

I'd get a case trimmer first. They are cheap and really help when crimping.

Before you start trimming the 45 Auto cases, remove your bbl. and check your case length vs. your chamber depth by slipping empty, sized cases into the chamber. Note if the case heads are flush with the rearmost edge of the bbl. hood. If the cases are shorter than this distance, trimming will probably be a negative in that the cases will never reach the chamber shoulder. In other words, the cases will be held in place by the extractor and not be supported by the breechface and chamber shoulder as intended; way excessive headspace!!

See my post on the 45 die question thread which is nearby. Loading correctly for the 45 Auto, and other auto pistol rounds, is actually more difficult than for most other cartridges.
http://forums.accuratereloadin...2511043/m/2281045001

It's good that the 45 Auto will work just fine with incorrectly loaded ammo---within certain limits!!

Cheers,
Jim

You don;t need a case trimmer. I have loaded 10s of 1000s of 45acp & never trimmed a case. You wil have better results seating & crimping in separate steps.