Novock Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 I am about 5k into loading 223 for next shootings season (3 gun) and a buddy told me i was nuts for not crimping my 223. I run my brass through the sizing and decapping die before trimming and actually once more after tumbling and swagging to make sure the primer hole is free of media (i know the second sizing affects case length). The neck tension is solid and i have not seen a round that had me worried. Should I be? I understand that the bolt carrier in my AR slams the round into the feed ramp and could shorten my OAL, but I have tested this and it is next to nothing after charging the weapon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 What's "next to nothing?" Cycling 5 times through my Larue produces 0.000" shortening, while cycling 5 times through my Palmetto produced about 0.003". I do it as a matter of habit more than anything, but it's really only enough to get the case mouth poked into the cannelure just a little bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Novock Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 I cycled 3 times through my Noveske and the difference was .0022. I load to 2.20 so i havent been too worried to this point, but figured i would see what others do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 i dont crimp. so long as you have sufficient neck tension, its not really needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcameron996 Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 I run the lee factory crimp die. I had the extra station on my 650 so it doesn't add any more time to the process. I wasn't having any trouble before, but the die is inexpensive and I figured it was cheap insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 I don't know if it qualifies as paranoia -- two thousandths worth of setback is well within the normal variance from a standard seating die. But, I'd sooner have 0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rstandley Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 The mil-spec ammo is crimped because of the rough handling of the ammo in combat conditions. Being thrown around, slammed and the firing cycle of the gun. Most 3-gun competitions are not nearly as rough, however I do throw my stuff around in the heat of the moment. A little crimp on the bullet will insure it will not get pushed to deep into the brass. A little dab will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Donald Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I use a Lee FCD on my .223, I just give it a light kiss. Die is adjusted about half of normal, rounds are very accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Steele Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Neck tension is good for me. No problems. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougCarden Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Everyone knows, or will at some point, someone that has a Boom and blows up a receiver on an AR when they have one piece of weak brass that won't hold the bullet tight enough with case tension and pushes the bullet back and overpressures the round. Hornady had a large batch that didn't get crimped and had the same problems in the past. There is a reason there is a cannalure on the bullets. Give it a light crimp on the cannualure and then don't worry about it. If you are running it in a bolt gun no problem, neck size away. I have had enough guys tell me when the receiver blows up next to their face it is a humbling experience and I don't want to experience it myself.... DougC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoz Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Everyone knows, or will at some point, someone that has a Boom and blows up a receiver on an AR when they have one piece of weak brass that won't hold the bullet tight enough with case tension and pushes the bullet back and overpressures the round. Hornady had a large batch that didn't get crimped and had the same problems in the past. There is a reason there is a cannalure on the bullets. Give it a light crimp on the cannualure and then don't worry about it. If you are running it in a bolt gun no problem, neck size away. I have had enough guys tell me when the receiver blows up next to their face it is a humbling experience and I don't want to experience it myself.... DougC That's exactly why I give a light crimp but most people think I'm crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaldor Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Everyone knows, or will at some point, someone that has a Boom and blows up a receiver on an AR when they have one piece of weak brass that won't hold the bullet tight enough with case tension and pushes the bullet back and overpressures the round. Hornady had a large batch that didn't get crimped and had the same problems in the past. There is a reason there is a cannalure on the bullets. Give it a light crimp on the cannualure and then don't worry about it. If you are running it in a bolt gun no problem, neck size away. I have had enough guys tell me when the receiver blows up next to their face it is a humbling experience and I don't want to experience it myself.... DougC That's exactly why I give a light crimp but most people think I'm crazy. I do the same. 95% of the bullets I shoot are Hornady 55gr FMJBTs. Load to cannelure, light crimp, shoot right around an inch with little effort. A better shooter than me could probably get better groups. The bullets I shoot that do not have a cannelure, still get crimped, but I back it off even more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfguy7 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 i lightly crimp all my rounds with the lee fcd. As much prep work that goes into the rifle brass i figure one more pull of the handle won't hurt anything. All are shot out of an AR. If it was a bolt action I would skip that step. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
427Cobra Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Lee FCD is cheap insurance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoz Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 The Lee FCD is what I use also. Glad to see I have some support on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mscott Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I crimp everything used in auto-loaders. Using a Dillon die with .223 ammo currently. Have used LEE in the past as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankge Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 lee crimp also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskapopo Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 No crimp for me. I used to but then I tried not doing it and my accuracy improved dramatically. No issues with set back. Case neck tension is what matters. Use a smaller expanding ball if its an issue. Crimping causes more problems and solves none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Agree, I don't crimp, just neck tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskapopo Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Everyone knows, or will at some point, someone that has a Boom and blows up a receiver on an AR when they have one piece of weak brass that won't hold the bullet tight enough with case tension and pushes the bullet back and overpressures the round. Hornady had a large batch that didn't get crimped and had the same problems in the past. There is a reason there is a cannalure on the bullets. Give it a light crimp on the cannualure and then don't worry about it. If you are running it in a bolt gun no problem, neck size away. I have had enough guys tell me when the receiver blows up next to their face it is a humbling experience and I don't want to experience it myself.... DougC Rifle KB's are caused by using the wrong powder or bore obstructions. Pushing the bullet back in a bottle neck case does not raise pressures like in a straight wall piston cases. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougCarden Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Pat, I have not had this happen to myself. I have been told by many knowledgeable people, including an armorer for a Nuke plant who had it happen to him, and a gunsmith that now works for the FBI rebuilding their guns. After looking at his face when he explained what and how it happened I believe both of them, and they found out it was the case mouth tension in the factory ammo they were shooting. A friend that loaded over a million rounds of .223 last year at his business will only load bullets that have a cannalure and crimps all the rounds as well. That is all I know. DougC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glynnm45 Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Another one for the Lee FCD. Life's to short to risk a boo boo over the lack of a little crimp tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskapopo Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) Pat, I have not had this happen to myself. I have been told by many knowledgeable people, including an armorer for a Nuke plant who had it happen to him, and a gunsmith that now works for the FBI rebuilding their guns. After looking at his face when he explained what and how it happened I believe both of them, and they found out it was the case mouth tension in the factory ammo they were shooting. A friend that loaded over a million rounds of .223 last year at his business will only load bullets that have a cannalure and crimps all the rounds as well. That is all I know. DougC Doug there is no way they could know with a blown up gun. Most likely they were guessing. While I have not loaded a million rounds I have loaded thousands upon thousands as have many others on here. Pat Edited January 19, 2016 by Alaskapopo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Whatever floats your boat, do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjim Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Whatever floats your boat, do it. Agree. it's the comfort level of the one reloading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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