Do you crimp for your semi .223?
- Thread starter Brianma65
- Start date
Sherlock Gnomes
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- St.Catharines
No crimping here. If the die is set properly neck tension should be okay
The reason I ask , is that I had a setback on the third rnd out of ten, in my XCR-l . They were my first ten rnds ever made. I'm using flat based vmax55g. Research tells me no crimp is nesasary . But some posters , who have the best intentions in mind , say I should crimp. I've found that the tips , just as easily pull out of the factory rnds, as they do the reload rnds. The setback had me a little concerned , is all.
I just plucked a tip ,out of a factory rnd ,using pliers, it wasn't to difficult. My point was ,the factory and the reload needed the same amount of force to pull the bullet. Edit.. I do have a set of bullet pullers ordered ,
Last edited:
you have 3 threads going about your issues reloading for your 223. You have been given some good advice by some knowledgeable people and some not so good advice by some others. Seems to me you are just troling for the answers you want to here. If any of your projectiles are being pushed back into the case then you have a problem and you may have a even more serious problem if one of those rounds with the projectile pushed all the way back into the case accually chambers and fires. I relize you are new to reloading and prob don't really understand a lot of what some posters are trying to tell you. Have you read or even own a reloading manual? I suggest that you get one if you don't have one and read it over and over untill you fully understand it. I say this because in your first thread about resizing your brass you clearing didn't have a clue how to set up your die in the press and where just using the trial and error method untill you think you got it right. Needless to say if you would have read the manual you would have had a better understanding of how to set up your die. Reloading is a serious buisness and should not be taken in ahaphazardy fashion.
If you find that crimping provides better accuracy with your bolt gun, then the neck tension is inadequate, or inconsistent. I would remedy that situation, rather than resort to a bandaid fix like crimping. How many competitive target shooters do you think crimp their rounds? If crimping improved accuracy, they would all crimp.
I don't understand why some people continue to look down on crimping as some lowly form of 'band aid solution'.
If the die is set up and not moved from position while loading a group of rounds, that neck tension will be the same - for good or bad. So the whole 'inconsistent neck tension' thing is out the window.
While I agree proper neck tension is a good thing, and if your rifle loads the rounds properly, a crimp isn't necessarily needed.
But - crimping isn't done for the times conditions and your rifle is running perfectly, it's done for the times when conditions are less than ideal -be it weather, mags, fouling, lack of lube, etc. is playing havoc with your otherwise well run machine.
My suggestion, as always, is to try it for yourself.
Take your favourite load that you use, at all ranges you want to shoot at, and load up a couple or five hundred rounds of each - crimped and non-crimped.
Shoot and compare them. Measure everything - velocity spreads, accuracy, and overall performance. Then make up your mind if it is worth it to you. If you think it is snake oil, sell the die that cost you $15 on the EE.
If the die is set up and not moved from position while loading a group of rounds, that neck tension will be the same - for good or bad. So the whole 'inconsistent neck tension' thing is out the window.
While I agree proper neck tension is a good thing, and if your rifle loads the rounds properly, a crimp isn't necessarily needed.
But - crimping isn't done for the times conditions and your rifle is running perfectly, it's done for the times when conditions are less than ideal -be it weather, mags, fouling, lack of lube, etc. is playing havoc with your otherwise well run machine.
My suggestion, as always, is to try it for yourself.
Take your favourite load that you use, at all ranges you want to shoot at, and load up a couple or five hundred rounds of each - crimped and non-crimped.
Shoot and compare them. Measure everything - velocity spreads, accuracy, and overall performance. Then make up your mind if it is worth it to you. If you think it is snake oil, sell the die that cost you $15 on the EE.
Ive always crimped. One thing I noticed was that when I first started with .223 I used a taper crimp die. This caused some issues. I had some rounds that wouldn't chamber. I think it was caused by inconsistent case length in some of the brass I trimmed and forgot to trim. It would crush the shoulder back a bit and made the round look fat.
I stopped using that die and went to a Lee factory crimp die; never had that issue again. I also made sure not to mix any of my brass during case prep.
I stopped using that die and went to a Lee factory crimp die; never had that issue again. I also made sure not to mix any of my brass during case prep.
Because in many cases, that is exactly why people choose to crimp. Some people don't understand how to rectify a situation where they don't have adequate neck tension, so they resort to crimping. Other people crimp for no other reason than because someone told them that they should.
Sorry about the three diff threads,I'm not sure what the protcal is on threads,do I ask everything in one thread? Or do I ask different questions in its own thread? I know I've been given good advice by knowledgable people ,problem is some of the opinions are different on the same subject. For example , crimp or not crimp, 50% for and 50% against!all knowledgable people. I understand fine what's being said,the hard part is picking the right answer when they are always different. Regards to a setback bullit,I've read where ,guys have actually test fired with the cartridge in this state,and didn't have any kind of explosion,so unless you know first hand,from experience ,of the hazards of firing a setback,please keep your opinion to yourself. Lastly if my asking questions bothers you or anyone else,please just don't answer to the thread. Easy as that. It's an open forum and you have the right to ask ,as you have the right to answer. But you may just not respond at all,if it makes you angry.
I just plucked a tip ,out of a factory rnd ,using pliers, it wasn't to difficult. My point was ,the factory and the reload needed the same amount of force to pull the bullet. Edit.. I do have a set of bullet pullers ordered ,
Let me give you a friendly tip. Being consistent with the usage of proper terminology will make it easier for others to help you.
As I read the quoted posts above, I decided that this is someone who hasn't even read a reloading manual or the instructions for their press, and is therefore beyond advice. Calling a bullet or a projectile a "tip" only hurts your cause.
If someone on the side of the road, stopped with their vehicle's hood up, asked you:
"Hey, can you tell me how to get that doo-hickey off, I think there's something wrong with it." (pointing at a fuel injector)
Would you tell them how to take it off? I wouldn't. If they're calling a fuel injector a doo-hickey, they're more likely to just damage their vehicle or hurt themselves than they are to fix the problem.
My post may come off as snobby to some. I don't mind. Using proper terminology is pretty important when it comes to solving problems.
Ok guys thanks for the replys, just as I thought, either way is right,or wrong ,depending on who you ask. I've done a lot of research on the subject, and found the same answers as here. It's not required to crimp,but some people think it is. So do what you feel works for you is what I'm going to do also. As for people saying that it's dangerous not to crimp,they shouldn't make that statement unless they can prove that from personal experience.... Again thanks all.. I'm going to lose this thread as it seems to bother some people .
Yes you are right it is an open forum , so really I don't have to keep my opinions to my self. And right now with your sh*%^y attitube towards people trying to help you out because it is obvious you really don't have a clue what you are doing. I don't really give a #### what you do. My only concern now it of the poor guy who just happens to be to close to when your CXR blows up in your face.
No prob , I've called them projectiles, bullets, and tips . Tips is shorter to type on my IPhone , and I thought everyone would know what I'm talking about . As to your car comparison, I would just inform them of the name , of said prob, that would make it easier for others to understand .
