.30-06 Garand loads ... crimp or no? - Page 2

Steve in PA · December 31, 2006, 08:58 PM

And if you can't load a round that does not need to be crimped you are also doing something wrong.

P-990 · December 31, 2006, 11:57 PM

I honestly think it depends on the bullet. Those stubby little 147gr Winchester FMJBTs in .30 caliber are awful, IMO. I HAVE to crimp those for ANY rifle to get them to stay seated. Cycling a couple of dummies through a 1903 bolt gun had the bullets spinning silly.

With something like a 168gr Matchking, I don't crimp, or if I do, very, very lightly, as suggested. The 168 has a fairly long bearing surface and a case with good neck tension will hold it tight.

Insufficient neck tension worries me more than whether to crimp or not.

FWIW, I seat my long range AR loads about .010" from the lands, uncrimped, and they extract just fine. My short line ammo has much more space to jump than that. I seat those long enough that .007" of jump would make them just barely able to clear the magazine, and I've ejected and reused these before too.

Like I said, depends on the rifle and load. For an M-1, with stubby bullets, I'd do it. Quick and simple peace of mind. (And it really doesn't tkae long to crimp up a batch of rounds, IME.)

December 31, 2006, 08:58 PM	#26
Steve in PA Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1999 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 760	And if you can't load a round that does not need to be crimped you are also doing something wrong. __________________ Steve

December 31, 2006, 11:57 PM	#27
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: SWNH Posts: 1,332	Depends on the Bullet I honestly think it depends on the bullet. Those stubby little 147gr Winchester FMJBTs in .30 caliber are awful, IMO. I HAVE to crimp those for ANY rifle to get them to stay seated. Cycling a couple of dummies through a 1903 bolt gun had the bullets spinning silly. With something like a 168gr Matchking, I don't crimp, or if I do, very, very lightly, as suggested. The 168 has a fairly long bearing surface and a case with good neck tension will hold it tight. Insufficient neck tension worries me more than whether to crimp or not. FWIW, I seat my long range AR loads about .010" from the lands, uncrimped, and they extract just fine. My short line ammo has much more space to jump than that. I seat those long enough that .007" of jump would make them just barely able to clear the magazine, and I've ejected and reused these before too. Like I said, depends on the rifle and load. For an M-1, with stubby bullets, I'd do it. Quick and simple peace of mind. (And it really doesn't tkae long to crimp up a batch of rounds, IME.) __________________ NRA Master, Highpower Rifle, Across-the-Course NRA Expert, Highpower Rifle, Mid-Range Prone