223 Rem case crimping

length_of_pull_1 · Nov 5, 2020

I was working up a new load with 73gr ELD Match bullets (no cannelure) to fire in an AR, with H335 I popped a primer with my second lowest charge weight. I didn't think much of it until I pulled the bullets and found they were pretty deformed. I always put a crimp on the rounds going into a self loader, but I guess this time I got carried away. I'm wondering if the fact that I crimped those bullets so tightly raised the pressure so much that a low charge weight suddenly became an overly hot round, or did I just goof up and started with a heavier charge than maybe I should have? Thanks in advance guys!

rfwobbly · Nov 5, 2020

There's no way simple crimp held a bullet back that wanted to fly. Your load was simply too low.

Be more careful calculating your loads in the future or you run the risk of sticking a bullet halfway down the barrel. That is a very dangerous situation when a follow-up shot is involved.

Hope this helps.

Skeptic13 · Nov 5, 2020

I would lower my powder charge and then load some without the crimp and try again. If those work well then you can then increase your powder charge incrementally. I had a similar issue with some 68gr hollow points that I loaded within the load data specs but I ended up blowing out primers. I just ended up switching powders.

I do not normally crimp non cannelure bullets. But if your crimp is deforming the bullets I would say that your are crimping to much. Even when I do crimp it is very lightly.

Walkalong · Nov 5, 2020

length_of_pull_1 said:
I popped a primer with my second lowest charge weight. I didn't think much of it until I pulled the bullets and found they were pretty deformed. I always put a crimp on the rounds going into a self loader, but I guess this time I got carried away. I'm wondering if the fact that I crimped those bullets so tightly raised the pressure so much that a low charge weight suddenly became an overly hot round, or did I just goof up and started with a heavier charge than maybe I should have? Thanks in advance guys!

Too much powder, and you don't need to crimp, you need good neck tension.

Typetwelve · Nov 5, 2020

I was going to say, I've been successful in loading some pretty good performing 223 ammo and I've yet to crimp a single one.

Second, not 100% sure what you mean by "popped". There was a hole in it, or did the primer come lose from the brass? I've yet to see this happen, but I've read many times that worn out or overworked brass can get a loose primer pocket, causes them to come out when firing.

223 Rem case crimping

length_of_pull_1

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rfwobbly

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Skeptic13

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Walkalong

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Typetwelve

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