Why cant I get tight crimp on my 223?

[Canman]

I bought some Lake City primed brass. Been loading 55fmj's and I cant get a tight crimp unless my overall length is 221 or shorter. I am going to resize the next batch before I load them and see if that helps. Any ideas?

[DyNo!]

Why do you need to crimp .223?

[Mbauer67]

Sounds like you need to size the necks at least, the crimp really does not hold the bullet from set back the neck tension/ inner diameter of the case versus outside of the bullet does 95% of the work

[Mark K]

Why do you need to crimp .223?

Ditto

[co-exprs]

Crimping your 223 isn't necessary and introduces pressure variance which you don't want. If your cases are sized correctly (including the neck), the case tension will provide all the hold you will need. Even on bullets with crenellure, the natural tension in the case mouth will bite in enough to hold the bullet in place.

[pjb45]

Maybe he wants a tight crimp so his accuracy will degrade to the point he justify a new rifle barrel.

Actually there is a lot written about the negative effects of crimping rifle calibers.

[Alaskapopo]

I don't crimp my match bullets but have been crimping my ball rounds. Well the other day I found out I had mistakenly put my 308 crimp die on my .223 tool head and did not find out until after well after I had already shot and tested the ammo. Needless to say the crimp die did not crimp anything and I also got my best groups with ball ammo ever. I won't be crimping any of my rifle ammo any more.

Pat

[anachronism]

LEEs Factory Crimp Die is what you want for rifle ammo (they suck for handguns, due to the sizing ring used), it you're crimping 223 and don't load bullets with a cannelure. There are also some very good reasons to crimp rifle ammo, and individual circumstances can be different. Gilt-edged accuracy isn't the sole determining factor in loading.

[MickB]

I use a Lee FCD to put a very light crimp on my 55gr FMJ loads. For the same loads, I tested FCD crimped, versus non crimped. I all cases, I got tighter groups using the FCD...

Mick

[TonyH]

LEE FCD works like a champ & I have gotten my group size smaller since using one for the past 8 years.

[Canman]

Thanks for the replys. You were right I needed to resize the brass. I thought it was new brass. I think it was loaded before and pulled never fired. Learned another one!

[drysideshooter]

Thanks for the replys. You were right I needed to resize the brass. I thought it was new brass. I think it was loaded before and pulled never fired. Learned another one!

I size almost all brass, even stuff I know is brand new.

[SPRSkip]

I always re size for consistency if nothing else.

[dbletap_ed]

Seems as if the only crimp die talked about which anyone liked (not everyone) was the Lee Factory Crimp Die. What is the general opinion on the Dillon crimp die which come with the .223 Carbide Die Set? I did not see anyone talk about it.

Thanks

[Alaskapopo]

LEEs Factory Crimp Die is what you want for rifle ammo (they suck for handguns, due to the sizing ring used), it you're crimping 223 and don't load bullets with a cannelure. There are also some very good reasons to crimp rifle ammo, and individual circumstances can be different. Gilt-edged accuracy isn't the sole determining factor in loading.

Unless your running a full auto a crimp is not needed.

Pat