Do I need to crimp rifle ammunition?

[stubblejumper]

Isn't crimping a form of neck tension? Isn't the goal of neck tension to hold the bullet in the brass at a specific overall length and release that grip at a consistent chamber pressure? I'd say if a crimp helps achieve that in some situations then it's not a band aid.

So that is why so many benchrest shooter crimp their target loads?

 

[PitBull1973]

As a newby to rifle reloading I would suggest you crimp your semi auto loads. I myself do not crimp any rifle loads because I have a lot of experience with controlling neck tension. With time you will gain the same. Have fun

 

[mod7rem]

So that is why so many benchrest shooter crimp their target loads?

I don't recall anybody asking about using a crimp for bench rest competition.

 

[stubblejumper]

I don't recall anybody asking about using a crimp for bench rest competition.

If crimping provided more consistent neck tension, bench rest shooters would be crimping, they will do anything to improve the consistency of their ammunition.

 

['Boo]

I crimp "some" rifle cartridges for bolt actions especially using Barnes TSX & TTSX bullets. Sometimes neck tension is questionable with these grooved shank bullets.


And I always crimp 357 revolver cartridges. A locked-up cylinder could ruin your day if you really needed to get a shot off in a hurry.

 

[mod7rem]

If crimping provided more consistent neck tension, bench rest shooters would be crimping, they will do anything to improve the consistency of their ammunition.

I don't think we're talking about hand loading for bench rest here. Bench rest ammo doesn't have to withstand rough handling and magazine recoil, etc. I think we're talking about practical ways of loading consistent functional ammo for normal rifles with normal chambers using standard reloading equipment.