Crimping for semi

P

pilot24

Regular
Rating - 100%
97   0   0
Location
Quebec
I'm doing a few rounds for a BAR in 30-06 and was wondering if crimping a non-cannelured bullet will hold it enough... I'm still waiting on my lee factory crimp to come in, so I don't know if its gonna be solid enough...


pilot
 
I handload for my rem 7400 .280 rem and don't crimp. This has not been an issue, even with the heavy 175 grain loads. I'm sure it will be plenty solid.
 
Should the bullet be cannelured anyway? On another line of thought, would a cannelured bullet for a bolt action without crimp reduce precision?

I have no experience with cannelure or crimping, its like i'm starting again ;)
 
You don't absolutely need to crimp for a semi-auto .30-06. I've been loading for an M-1 for eons with no crimp and no fuss. However, if you're loading hot loads, a light crimp will keep the bullets in place. Said crimp does not have to be at the cannelure.
 
I used to load for a Rem 742 in 30-06, never crimped and never had a problem. I now shoot a BLR in .358 Win., and find I have to crimp.

I'm wondering if the difference might be in the way the clip holds the cartridges, and that some might hold them more loosely than others. Regardless, it's probably a matter of the individual gun, and that whether you should crimp or not has to be determined on a case by case basis.
 
blindman said:
You are VERY LUCKY?????,,Rabbits foot working for you so far.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Yep must be...along with how many others :D


"Always crimp for any semi gun. Those who say there is no need, and have been doing it, IMO have just been lucky."

Your brush paints a very broad stroke :onCrack:
 
Last edited:
Whether you need it or not, a crimp MIGHT give you a bit more accuracy due to more consistency in the pressure required to get the bullet moving. You would have to try it and see if it makes any difference for you. To me, a challenge has been getting the pressure of the load right so that the action cycles reliably. You will have to play with your loads and work up carefully to determine this. I have found that a moderate pressure load works best in my rifle, and generates better accuracy.
 
senior said:
Yep must be...along with how many others :D


"Always crimp for any semi gun. Those who say there is no need, and have been doing it, IMO have just been lucky."

Your brush paints a very broad stroke :onCrack:
Click to expand...
...AGAIN..I really wish you all the best. And thank you so much for your words of wisdom. :bangHead: :wave:
 
I tried a few rounds letting the action go last night and one bullet got deeper in the case... now I think that crimping will be needed for me... Just hope that my load is hot enough to cycle the action reliably cause I just finished 50 rounds that only have crimping left to do :rolleyes:
 
shepodyguide said:
Whether you need it or not, a crimp MIGHT give you a bit more accuracy due to more consistency in the pressure required to get the bullet moving. You would have to try it and see if it makes any difference for you. To me, a challenge has been getting the pressure of the load right so that the action cycles reliably. You will have to play with your loads and work up carefully to determine this. I have found that a moderate pressure load works best in my rifle, and generates better accuracy.
Click to expand...
You have an excellent point! I have found that a little crimp seems to work for me in my semi guns! I also shot alot of AR style guns, so I find they need to be crimped in a little. I know of shooters with AR's, who have had their bullets get pushed back into the case from the action. Not good. You really need the right OAL, along with a little crimp.
 
pilot24 said:
I tried a few rounds letting the action go last night and one bullet got deeper in the case... now I think that crimping will be needed for me... Just hope that my load is hot enough to cycle the action reliably cause I just finished 50 rounds that only have crimping left to do :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Let us know how your rounds work out for you!! I also use the Lee factory crimp die with my AR, I have never had a bullet get pushed back on me yet with it!! Cheers!
 
"...since I bought the crimper..." Might as well. It won't hurt anything but it may, I say again, may affect your accuracy. Crimping is detrimental to accuracy. Not enough to bother hunting accuracy though.
 
pilot24 said:
I tried a few rounds letting the action go last night and one bullet got deeper in the case... now I think that crimping will be needed for me... Just hope that my load is hot enough to cycle the action reliably cause I just finished 50 rounds that only have crimping left to do :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

As with anything else, reloading is as much an art as a science. Keep an open mind when evaluating the end use of the loaded round and the tolerances of the components used when deciding if you should crimp or not. A properly sized cartridge should grip the bullet enough not to need a crimp but as you found out, there are situations where a crimp is required to keep the projectile in place. Factory rounds have a crimp. Why? For consistancy in a wide range of firearms and also to withstand the rigours of "shipping and handling.";)


Obviously, if it moves during normal operation, crimp it. But first determine if there is some other way to prevent movement. Spot check your necks after sizing to be sure that it will grip the bullet consistantly. Measure a sample of your bullets to be sure that they are indeed the correct size. Get used to the feel of the press handle when you seat a correctly sized bullet into a correctly sized neck. Then you will at least have a baseline to make an informed decision about the need for crimping.

Cheers,
Private Skidmarks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom