test batch of .223 needs HELP!

[gipperdog]

I'm also not an expert in the .223 world nor for the AR15 (mine is a Bushmaster E2S) but I've never crimped any of my reloads & never had a failure for one to go BOOM. Since I pick up my brass at the local range (off the ground so it's a complete hodge podge of stuff), I use a small base resizer by Redding & their bullet seater. I am using several bullets - Barnes 36 gr grenade, Hornady 40 gr moly V-Max, Hornady 50 gr & 55 gr V-Max. Mostly I use AA2230 & some AA2520 powder with Winchester primers, WSR. Everyone of them fire when I pull the trigger & my groups are averaging 1 to 1.5" for groups at 100 yds & that's with the mixed brass. But crimp the bullets, never done that yet.
So, have I been lucky or am I in for a surprise someday?

 

[byf43]

So, have I been lucky or am I in for a surprise someday?

Well. . . in the words of Gomer Pyle, USMC, "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!"


I didn't experience this bullet 'set-back' (what an understatement) until I was in a High Power Match and seated the magazine and closed the bolt.

Huh??????? The bolt closed with a 'clack'.
I pulled the bolt handle, and the round ejected and powder dumped all over the inside of the bolt lug locking (recess) area.
I was out of the match.

No. . . crimping is not absolutely necessary. But, you may want to re-think that IF you ever experience the powder all over the inside of your AR phenomenon.


:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

 

[RobZ71LM7]

In thousands of .223 rounds I've never needed to crimp for any of my AR's.

 

[870pilot]

byf43 and all

byf43... good to see you here bro, other than the basement

i feel your pain about a "powdered" black rifle, but here's an update

i assembled a new but small batch of .223... adjusted the lee factory crimp die as suggested here and went to the range...

perfect...

i'm new to the ways of the black rifle and all i can imagine is that the same thing which took place with byf43's rifle happened to me...

bullet set back and failure to fire, no primer strike at all

thanks for all the input all, i'll be crimping more from now on.