I've always used a large diameter punch (much like a ring sizer) slide terminal onto taper and then tap, tap, tap with a rubber mallet the punch into the terminal. Doing so will set the taper to fit on the post properly.
Battery terminal plier jaws are tapered to match the post profile.
Original battery in nice shape cables are hard to find, reproduction are not OE correct, but not cheap either. The terminal pliers can be used gentle to as not to mar the soft lead end.
I use mine a few times a year, always good to have the right tool for the job.
