.223 crimp or no crimp ????

[BigSlick]

Hi guys,

I am going to be loading .223 for an AR this weekend and thru next week. I am in the case prep stage right now of a big coffee can full of brass.

I have shot .223 in bolt guns for years, and never needed a crimp. I read thru some info from a few of my loading manuals and reloading books, some recommend a crimp for mag fed rifles.

I talked with a buddy of mine who is an AR freak from the SP-1 days and he has loaded tons of rounds. He doesn't use a crimp. 2230 or H335 @ 26gr with a 62gr M855 copy.

I will be loading 55gr and 62gr on the Redding T7 turret, with either Dillon or Redding dies. I already have the Redding dies, and may pick up a set of Dillons in carbide for use with the 550 after I get the load worked up to the sweet spot. The Redding die set I have doesn't have a crimp die, the Dillon set comes with one.

So, the question at hand is crimp or no crimp ?

What do you guys do ? If you crimp, I ass.u.me a taper crimp ?

Thanks for the feedback

BigSlick

 

[db_tanker]

part of me thinks that the magazine would keep the bullet in place...but again, this would cause friction and therefore a FTF.

You could always experiment...but with me I would apply a mild crimp to keep it all in place...

D

 

[m0ntels]

I talked with a buddy of mine who is an AR freak from the SP-1 days and he has loaded tons of rounds. He doesn't use a crimp. 2230 or H335 @ 26gr with a 62gr M855 copy.

I load for 2 Mini-14 rifles the same way, 26gr h335, 62gr surplus projectile, no crimp. The bullet goes in far enough that it keeps enough neck tension on it. For me and my brother anyway...


Randy

 

[Gunrunner]

When I've loaded for my AR or Mini-14 I don't crimp. The bullets I use most are 55gr ballistic tips or v-max. Haven't had any problems.

 

[dmftoy1]

I was reading all over the place (google) with this same question about 2 months ago when I started and could find people who would swear that both ways were the absolute best way to go. I did my first batch with no crimp and had no problems. Examing the cases afterwards I had 1-2 (out of 100) that had what I would call "almost" pierced primers . . .not sure how to describe them other than they didn't look right. I decided to use the lee fcd and can't say it's affected my accuracy any. I haven't had any of those strange appearing primers after switching so I'll probably stay with a crimp.

Just my .02

Regards,
Dave

 

[Ky Larry]

BigSlick, please check your load data. My Speer reloading Manual #12 lists a Max load for .223 as :

62 gr bullet (Speer part #1050)
H355 powder Max Load 25.0 gr
Velocity 2946 fps

62 gr bullet
AA2230 powder Max Load 24.0 gr
Velocity 2975 fps

I know NATO ammo is warmer than civilian ammo so you may be correct in your powder charges. Just a friendly reminder to a fellow reloader. Shoot well and often.

P.S. Sorry about hijacking your thread. I roll crimp bullets with a cannelure and don't crimp bellets without them. I don't reload for any gas rifles so I can't advise you either way. Good luck.

 

[Blackcloud6]

I load mine with a slight crimp in the cannulure. Tht's how the military does it I think. Works for them, works for me.