Another dumb .308 question

[flemball]

As I said in some other posts, I am shooting an M14M1A. I received a bunch of information on loads, bullets etc for .308 in general and M14M1A in particular. I also read every thread in this forum on .308. This question is on crimping. A lot of the bullet recommedations do not come with a cannullerre(sp?) for crimping. For eg, the Sierra 168 BT match bullets don't. Palmas and Match King and Game King do. Noslers don't. Some Hornady's or Speers do or don't. I presume some of the loads recommended were for single shot or bolt action guns that don't need a crimp.
But some of the M1 Garand and M14M1A shooters have recommended some non-canullerred bullets. I was told you have to crimp for these auto loaders. How are you crimping the non-cannullerred bullets? Taper crimp? No crimp? USSR, you RX'd a 168 BTHP from Sierra. I presume their match bullet. Doesn't look like it has a cannulerre. Crimp? Taper Crimp? No crimp? Information overload.
Do I have to crimp for this rifle? If so, I presume I can only use bullets designed for a crimp. Is a taper crimp ok?

 

[Grumulkin]

I load for an M1A and an M1 Garand and I don't crimp and have never crimped for these rounds. If you wish to crimp a bullet without a cannelure, use Lee's factory crimp die.

 

[cdrt]

Ditto on loading for the M1 and M1A, both in .308; never have crimped them with match bullets and they work fine.

Navy Vet & SWIFT Boat OIC

 

[blancoman]

Buy a Lee Crimp die. Follow the instructions and away you go. As for the why and wherefore, If you do not crimp your bullets in a semi, the recoil will continually pound on the bullets in the magazine until they actually are pushed back into the case. Opps. First time you take a loaded magazine out of an autoloader and find the bullets shoved almost out of sight you will never ever forget it. Lee crimp die is not a taper and the bullet does not need a canalure. Careful not to crimp too tight or you will form your own canulure on the bullet which you do not want to do. Enjoy.

 

[db_tanker]

add another suggestion for the Lee FCD...


certain loads I have tightened up with the crimp...if nothing else, it will be there if you ever decide to check a load.

 

[steve4102]

Lee Factory Crimp Die. No cannelure needed.

 

[USSR]

USSR, you RX'd a 168 BTHP from Sierra. I presume their match bullet. Doesn't look like it has a cannulerre. Crimp? Taper Crimp? No crimp? Information overload. Do I have to crimp for this rifle?

flemball,

There is absolutely no need for crimping ammo for a M1A, assuming sufficient neck tension is used. And, neck tension to hold a bullet in place is preferable to crimping. Proper neck tension is achieved thru the use of Redding bushing dies.

Don