Jacketed Bullet Crimp

[ES13Raven]

I know with plated and coated bullets, you need to be careful with crimp (just enough to take the bell / flare out etc.)

How about jacketed bullets? The same?

Are JHP and FMJ more forgiving with crimp?

[bowenbuilt]

They are much more forgiving than plated or coated but there is really no need to crimp them any different. Just smooth out the bell, any more is just counter productive since the "crimp" (bad term really) does nothing to hold the bullet in place.

Edited April 25, 2015 by bowenbuilt

[Sarge]

Agreed. Remove the bell.

[gng4life]

Same here, I have heard of some ridiculous crimps on jacketed bullets and they usually still shoot fine. Also, crimp doesn't always mean to squeeze or shape into folds, another definition is to press together such as taking the bell out which is pressing the neck to the bullet.

[noylj]

Unless the bullets have a cannelure and head space on something other than the case mouth, don't think crimp. Think--make the rounds feed reliably.

My "crimp" has always been to run my finger or thumb down the bullet ogive to the case. If I feel the case mouth grab my finger, then the round needs more "crimp." If my finger can feel the case mouth, but not be grabbed by it, crimp is just right.

Fingers are quite sensitive tools that are too often ignored.