'The Consistent Crimp', developed by 'Precision Accuracy', has developed a micro-click torque wrench designed to generate consistent and very controllable crimps. A few weeks ago I set the torque-arm up in about 5 minutes and crimped a box full of .357 Magnum rounds. Tonight I decided to try it out on the 44 Magnum cartridges I recently reloaded. Setting the crimp die up for the first time didn't take long at all now that I have the feel for it.
Regarding the actual pressure applied to the torque arm; I think it's rather relative. Where is the exact zero point? I haven't figured that out yet. I set the arm for 15 ft lbs, then screw the die down until I begin to see a crimp. That's my minimum crimp, which I have assigned 15 ft lbs. So 35 ft lbs is 20 ft lbs greater than the minimum. Is it actually 35? Who knows? That doesn't really matter. As long as I know what the number needs to be set at to get the result I'm seeking, and I don't change the die settings, I'm OK and my results will remain consistent. This may sound confusing, but it isn't. Watch the video and I think it will be clear. For more on the Consistent Crimp, see my .357 Magnum reloading page.
I enjoyed this vid, and also your vids on youtube about the Consistent Crimp. I've just started reloading (and 44 magnum to boot) and I'm using the Lee Factory Crimp Die as well. How do you set the die for use with the Consistent Crimp? Do you just turn it in enough until the lever breaks at your desired crimp pressure, rather than completing the crimp at the upstroke of the press as you would normally?
ReplyDeleteYou rotate the ring until the Consistent Crimp breaks where you want it to. It's very simple to use. If you just started reloading, I'd wait a bit to start using this unit. In my opinion you should keep everything as simple and straightforward as possible until you feel comfortable enough to start experimenting with new techniques.
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