crimp on .223

[dadof6]

hello everyone,

just started reloading for my AR. Made up a small batch of reloads with 25 gn TAC, CC1 41 primers and Winchester 55gr fmjbt bullets. Everything seemed to do well. there were some burnt power stains on the cases, which I don't normally see with factory stuff. I did crimp the bullets in the groove. Wondering if I put too much crimp and maybe the pressure is too high? Max load is 26 grains.

Just wondering if anybody crimps the .223 for use in an AR?

Thanks,

John

 

[rcmodel]

Case neck sooting is caused by low pressure, not high pressure.
Due to a low pressure load, or too slow a powder, or work-hardened case necks from repeted reload cycles.

What happens is, the bullet clears the case mouth before chamber pressure has reached a high enough level to expand the case neck into the chamber and seal it completely.

It has nothing, or at least very little to do with crimp.

I usually don't crimp for AR-15/ Mini-14 loads.

If your expander plug is about .0015 - .002 smaller then bullet dia, case neck tension is all you need to keep the bullet from moving during feeding.
If it isn't already that much smaller, make it so with a drill and emery paper.

rc

 

[dadof6]

hmm. these are once fired (by me). trimmed to length, full length resized. Powder is TAC at 25 grains + CCI #41 primers. max load is 26 grains with a 55grn bullet.

what you say makes sense. I meant to set up my chrono, but forgot the stupid tripod! that would be a better indicator than my perception of 'soot'.

Very consistent load though. nice group (considering my scope started to walk a little).

I will go back over the numbers one more time. Maybe do a range of loads and chrono them all at the same time.

will check the expander too.

thanks.