Crimping 223

[Takem406]

I ordered a Redding National Match set of dies that includes a crimping die.
I'm newer to loading and have never crimped any of my 22-250 or 243.

But now with this AR and does it help crimp? It just helps lock the bullet in place, how's this effect accuracy?

Been looking it up and see its about 50/50 if you need to crimp or not.

 

[MEHavey]

My thoughts....

Unless its got a crimping cannelure -- don't crimp
Unless you have trimmed for same case lengths after sizing -- don't crimp.
Unless you have a neck tension problem -- Well.... you shouldn't load those cases anyway.

In a normal circumstance (outside of a materiel-abusive combat environment) crimping just adds one more variable that can be "different" from round-to-round. **






** with autopistol/heavy revolver rounds, lever-actions, cast bullets, and very-high recoiling big-bore rifles, however, we are in a whole new ball game.

 

[Takem406]

Should I return this die set for maybe a Foster that doesn't have have the crimp die?

 

[Walkalong]

I wasn't aware the Redding Competition seater would crimp, but no, you don't need to return it, although I do really like the Forster seaters. Both are quality items.

No need to crimp your .223 loaded for accuracy. All you need for it in the AR is adequate neck tension.

Agh, just re-read the post, "includes" a crimping die. Got it.

 

[Slamfire]

Not only is there no need to crimp a 223, crimping will deform the bullet. This is not a concern for military bullets as they are so inaccurate that you won’t notice the difference. However crimping match bullets deforms the soft lead core underneath the jacket and that moves the center of gravity outside the axis of rotation, creating a source of inaccuracy. The inaccuracy increases the further you go out. Bullet manufacturer’s do not recommend crimping match bullets.



For AR15’s, controlling neck tension is all that is needed to produce good accurate rounds. The only bullets that need to be crimped are those used in lever guns, elephant guns, Vulcan machine guns, and maybe cast bullets used with black powder. Crimping is just another thing to go wrong and crimping cannot improve accuracy with a match bullet.

 

[higgite]

Or if you decide that you don't want to crimp but do want Redding dies, you might swap the NM 3-die set for the Redding "Master Hunter" 2-die set. It has the FL sizing die and competition seating die, but no crimp die.

 

[Takem406]

Or if you decide that you don't want to crimp but do want Redding dies, you might swap the NM 3-die set for the Redding "Master Hunter" 2-die set. It has the FL sizing die and competition seating die, but no crimp die.

Thanks guys! I'll do that!

 

[Takem406]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/799076/forster-ultra-2-die-set-223-remington

I got this set of Foster's coming then I'll send the others back to Larry Potterfield.
Thanks for the help guys. Lesser guys would have told me to search the forum and Google instead of wasting the time with a new thread. Google is cool but it usually pulls up stuff from years ago!

 

[gamestalker]

MEHavey, really covers this well I think.

From a personal stand point, I've never needed to crimp a bottle neck, with exception to a tubular fed magazine, in which it is necessary for obvious reason. Some may disagree with this take though, and state that crimping improves accuracy, it might, and as such you could always try a small batch to see what you think.

But some things to consider though, is that by crimping you are working the mouths more, you would need to buy bullets with a canelure, and your also introducing one more variable, as MEHavey stated.

GS

 

[steve4102]

I crimp all my ammo for semi-autos. Not only does it secure the bullet it improves accuracy. I use the Lee Factory Crimp die and not a taper crimp die. I crimp both cannelured and non-cannalured bullets with excellent results.

 

[ProfessorX]

I'm also new to reloading, and so I should say that so as to not mis-represent my knowledge and experience. With that being said, I DID read up (a lot) about crimping the .223. There are differing opinions on this subject. In my own LIMITED experience, I have settled on crimping with a MILD crimp. I use a Lee Factory crimp die, which can be adjusted from a gentle to a medium to a strong crimp. My rounds are only crimped mildly. The reason behind this is that a uniform neck tension will increse consistency (meaning accuracy). Of course, this argument is mostly presented by the manufacturers of crimping dies. Still, this argument may have merit, especially using a mild crimp. Just my two cents.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Redding National Match dies are a three die set, the seat die has no crimp function, it contains a separate crimping die for crimping.

If you want the same package minus the crimping die, buy the Hunter series of dies, same dies minus the crimp die.

I run the Redding National Match for my 30-06 ammo, awesome set of dies, and I dont crimp.

 

[witchhunter]

Since you have the die, why don't you crimp a few and see if it makes your ammo more accurate? Almost all guns are different. I am in agreement that most AR's do not require a crimp, but if it shoots better, I would do it. Experiment and see for yourself.

 

[Conservidave]

My advise would be to experiment with your own loads and rifles. i would only crimp if the bullet has a canelure but either way it's not necessary for my needs. My2C

 

[shooter1]

I can only speak of my experience loading for ARs. Some will take issue, but in addition to the Lee FCD, I also use a small base sizing die. My number one requirement for my ammo is that it has to feed and function. Not just in my ARs, but in any rifle chambered for the 5.56/.223. Of the three ARs I own, the least accurate is capable of .90 groups with my standard loading. I'm ok with that.
str1

 

[joustin]

I crimp if it has a cannelure for my AR, in 308 I don't crimp anything outside of the 147gr surplus stuff, none of my other bullets have a cannelure.

 

[AABEN]

I have loaded for years and I do crimp every thing that I load. Some little and some tight. It is up to you do what ever you want to do. LEE has a factory crimping dies I use them on all of my long guns taper crimp all hand guns loads. Good luck

 

[horseman1]

I used to be worried about the bullet moving forward in the case when it was chambered in the AR15. I kept thinking about it as being like a big inertia bullet puller.

After getting trained up on this forum by all the folks that help us newer reloaders and doing some testing, I have found that crimping them is not really necessary, as long as there is good neck tension. I do crimp the rounds that have a cannelure, since its there and the LFCD needs to do something rather than sit in the box. The Hornady fmj-bt w/ cannelure don't seem to care one way or the other though.