Crimping .308 and 223?
- Thread starter greg11
- Start date
- Location
- Timmins, Ontario
My understanding is that crimping is required for use in a semi auto rifle. I know Federal and Winchester .223 are both visibly crimped
I've heard that crimping can be a no-no with .223 because it can cause pressure problems, is this true? Is it the same for .308?
Or, could crimping possibly help tighten up my groups?!?
If your loads are hot, it can cause excess pressure problems.
If you are using bolt action rifle, no need to crimp.
As long as you work up your loads the same it should not be an issue. Taking a load to max then changing something and still loading it at max can be an issue sometimes.
I load .30-06, .308, .223 for M1/M14/Mini 14 and have shot lots of crimped and uncrimped just fine as have many others. I usually do choose to crimp with the Lee FCD though.
I load .30-06, .308, .223 for M1/M14/Mini 14 and have shot lots of crimped and uncrimped just fine as have many others. I usually do choose to crimp with the Lee FCD though.
I never crimp and mine often gets run through a full auto with no issues.
+1, aside from the FA part.
OP, crimping is simply another variable you can control and play with as a tool to perfecting your load. If you are going to crimp, you should develop the load with a crimp from the start, not just randomly add a crimp to an already developed load, especially if it is near max without the crimp.
Mark
- Location
- Fort St John BC
I crimp all my 223 with factory crimp die and I get excellent accuracy
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
For bolt action target rifles (which I think is what you are asking about), it is not usual to crimp bullets. Especially with match bullets, which do not have a cannelure (groove) in them.
That said, crimping is one of the tools in the toolbox, and is one possible thing to try to tighten up your groups (though it is one of the things I'd try last rather than first). Crimping can increase the amount of force needed for the bullet to start moving. Sometimes this can make ignition more consistent and result in accuracy improvement (and sometimes, not!).
There isn't anything inherently unsafe about crimping .223 or .308 match ammo, but like I said it is rarely done (usually you can get your desired accuracy before having to try crimping).
That said, crimping is one of the tools in the toolbox, and is one possible thing to try to tighten up your groups (though it is one of the things I'd try last rather than first). Crimping can increase the amount of force needed for the bullet to start moving. Sometimes this can make ignition more consistent and result in accuracy improvement (and sometimes, not!).
There isn't anything inherently unsafe about crimping .223 or .308 match ammo, but like I said it is rarely done (usually you can get your desired accuracy before having to try crimping).
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
That's the accuracy I get with crimped .223 in a AR
3 touching and 2 fliers?
That's not very good
