[JonB]

Thought I would start yet another thread today. I have .223 dies on the way, and will be heading out to price some components.

Gun: AR-15 16" HBAR. Press: Lee Hand press with Lee .223 Pacesetter die set.

Mostly looking for target/plinking bullets - so most likely 55 gr FMJ. Possibly some 62 FMJ as well.

What do all you expert reloaders recommend getting - Cannelure or no cannelure? I suspect the cannelure variety are easier to set/get COL easier, but other than that, any pros/cons?

[rcmodel]

I think you won't have a choice with 55 or 62 grain FMJ-BT bullets.
All I have ever seen for sale have a cannelure.

For use in any AR or other semi-auto, I do recommend a crimp, just to insure no bullet set-back is possible during feeding.

For that, I recommend you get a Lee Factory Crimp Die.
You can crimp with the regular seating die, but it is very easy to slightly buckle a shoulder so slightly you can't see it, but the round won't chamber.

The Lee die requires a separate crimping step, but is fool-proof. There is no way you can buckle a case.
It will even nicely crimp SP and HP & Ballistic-Tip varmint bullets that don't have a cannelure.

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rcmodel

[JonB]

The Pacesetter die set I ordered has the FCD included and I had planned on using it.

Thanks rcmodel

[snuffy]

I don't care whether a .223 bullet I buy has a cannelure or not. I have yet to crimp any of the ammo that I have loaded for my bushy AR, don't plan on ever crimping any. As long as the dies are producing enough neck tension, there's no need.

A lot has been said about bullet set-back being caused by the ramming force of the bolt, the hitting of the feed ramp causing the bullets to be driven deeper into the case. I just haven't seen it with my rifle.

[rcmodel]

Some rifles do, some rifles don't.
Until proven otherwise, I think it's best to error on the side of caution and crimp .223 & .308 for semi-auto use.

But that's just me.

I didn't crimp for 30 years either for use in Colt AR's, and a Ruger Mini's.
Then I tried a Lee FCD and cut my group sizes almost in half.
So now, I crimp.
Go figure!

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rcmodel