? on loading Nosler 69 gr HPBT's for Mini-14

[Redneck with a 40]

Should I crimp these with my lee FCD or no crimp at all? These bullets are not cannelured, does that matter? If I crimp them, will it affect their performance? Do I have too with the semi-auto action?

 

[45ACPUSER]

You really have to view crimping as an option! But, is it necessary? Nope!
Cannelure or not a crimp can be applied, Taper or Profle is better then roll crimping. To have a uniform crimp you need consistent case lengths of brass, otherwise there is no consistency to the quality of the crimp.

 

[R.W.Dale]

With sufficient neck tension crimping SHOULD be unnecessary. But I like to put at least a light crimp on all semiauto ammo with my FCD, if anything just to make feeding that much slicker.

 

[Kernel]

Ammo for my Mini needs a firm crimp. Otherwise, there's a high possiblity the bullets will be pushed back into the case, making for a dangerous pressure spike. That's one reason why I like compressed loads in this action.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I'll play it safe and put a medium crimp on them, see what happens. I'm loading with H-4895 by the way, awesome stuff.

 

[mallc]

Curious?

What is the twist rate on your mini? Please let me know how the 69 grainers shoot.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Its a 1:9 twist, it should shoot the 69's just fine. I'm anxious to find out.

 

[rcmodel]

If I crimp them, will it affect their performance?

I did some testing with a very accurate CZ-527 using Nosler 55 grain Ballistic Tips crimped with an FCD, and uncrimped.

There was no difference in accuracy worth mentioning.
If anything, the crimped ones shot slightly smaller groups then the crimped ones, but I didn't test enough to get statistically meaningful measurements. (5 five-shot groups of each)

rc