Hornady 303 British.

[J10archer]

I have the hornady custom die set. Seat and crimp die. I can't get it to crimp. It appears to put to much pressure on the neck, crushing it. I am at recommend trim length on brass. Any input is helpful. Is a crimp needed? (No cantalure. .311 Sierra) mostly plinking rounds intended.

 

[Potashminer]

So far as I know, a roll crimp must go into a crimping groove or cannelure on the bullet. Only the Lee Factory Crimp can be used up into a smooth wall bullet. I have no experience with Hornady dies, just RCBS and Lee. I am presuming that the Hornady die does a roll crimp...

 

[Potashminer]

Second observation - I have loaded centerfire ammo since 1976 or so - I do not recall crimping a bullet, ever, except for lead cast bullets and for tubular magazine. If you can not push a bullet into the sized neck (in other words - you have .002" or .003" of "neck tension") I do not think crimping is needed. I have loaded a few batches for Win 30/30 - those bullets have crimp grooves and I did crimp, but was under the impression that was for the ride within the tubular magazine. In box magazines, for sure, never.

 

[bigedp51]

You can also forget the crimp and make the expander .002 to .003 smaller than bullet diameter to increase bullet grip.

 

[Ganderite]

No crimp required.

I only use it on heavy recoil revolver rounds and tube magazine ammo.

 

[Eagleye]

No crimp required.

I only use it on heavy recoil revolver rounds and tube magazine ammo.

This is my way as well. Dave.

 

[Surplus1]

I have never crimped for 303 British. The only thing I do crimp is my 3006 ammo for my garand and its only a light one.

 

[IHMSA]

I remember crimping some cast bullets, with gas checks, for .303, although some FMJ rounds we pulled did have a groove.

 

[iron cat]

I have been loading for the 303's since the 60's and have never crimped a bullet for them , never ever needed to even with the 215 grain bullets .
Cat