Factory Crimp for .223?

[M1key]

I have been loading up a few Hornady 75 BTHP bullets (non-cannelure) and question whether or not these will fragment as reliably as the cannelured Sierra 77s.

Does crimping with the factory crimp die provide a sufficient point of weakness in the bullet (like a cannelure) for reliable fragmentation? Has anyone done any testing of this idea?

 

[dagger dog]

M1key,

If you are refering to the Lee factory crimp die, yes it will force a cannelure into the jacket, I really don't care for that, although Lee claims no accuracy problems, but in my train of thought ,where does the lead that is displaced from the crimp go to? It doesn't dissapear, but is pushed into a new location within the jacket, and I would think that deforming the bullet in that way is bound to cause some instability within the bullet.

disclaimer an opinion only

 

[Fumbler]

I've used the LEE Factory Crimp Die on my 308. Of the bullets I've pulled, the "cannelure" it made was very shallow, even on heavily crimped bullets.

I've not done any testing but I doubt the crimp would cause enough of a cannelure to make any difference in fragmentation.

 

[M1key]

Most all of my crimped 223 loads tested so far are accurate and I put a on fairly heavy crimp. I am currently testing Wolf 75gr loads with a Hornady 75 BTHP on water jugs, etc. But, I haven't been able to recover any bullets as yet.

Next I will try the Sierra 77 BTHP w/ cannelure to see if there is any appreciable difference between the two...

Then, on to the Sierra 65 and the Hornady 68 match.

 

[Tuckerp229]

M1key,

If you are refering to the Lee factory crimp die, yes it will force a cannelure into the jacket, I really don't care for that, although Lee claims no accuracy problems, but in my train of thought ,where does the lead that is displaced from the crimp go to? It doesn't dissapear, but is pushed into a new location within the jacket, and I would think that deforming the bullet in that way is bound to cause some instability within the bullet.

I don't know about added fracturing potential but boy howdy does the Lee FCD reduce the size of my groups.Plus I have the added bonus that the bullets will stay put under recoil.