LNL Press and RCBS Taper Crimp

[Mike Boufford]

Okay this is my first progressive press and the first time in a LONG time that I have reloaded rifle or pistol. I went through all of the steps to set the press up and each station is a non-issue except for the bullet seat and taper crimp. I cannot seem to get a taper crimp which will prevent the bullet from seating deeper and deeper into the case due to the effects of recoil. I'm not sure how much deeper I can go with the taper crimp, and the bullet seat plug is almost all the way down.

Bullet is the Hornady XTP hollow point (500 freebies with the press). Should I just drop the taper crimp down more? I am beyond spec based on RCBS recommended taper dimensions. I believe that I am measuring .389" at the back of the bullet and .381" at the front.

[Alland]

The taper crimp is not designed to nor will it prevent the bullet setback. The bullet must be held by the neck tension. If the bullets are not held tight without a crimp, either the sizing die is not sizing small enough or the expander is over expanding them.

[Mike Boufford]

Thanks. I have the sizing die down all the way to the shell plate so I am going to check to see if there is too much mouth expansion. I had thought that I had put just enough to introduce the bullet to the case mouth but I could have put too much expansion into it.

[Mike Boufford]

Since I am "working from home" I decided to adjust the expansion plug and received good results. Thank you for the help!

[BYJO4]

Glad to hear the problem is solved. It is not uncommon for new reloaders to over expand the case mouth. You want the minimun amout of expansion to just start the base of the bullet in the case mouth.