|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
January 8, 2013, 10:38 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: December 7, 2012
Posts: 36
|
.223 FMJ / Hornady 55 grain w/c crimp or no crimp
Do you have to crimp these? I have never crimped my .223 rounds but with the cannelure I am not sure what to do. Anyone do anything different. My normal load is a 55 grain V Max, but the neighbor had some of these so I was going to load them up for some target rounds.
2.200 C.O.A.L CFE 223 powder started at 26 grains and made 10 each in .3 intervals want to get to the range, but wanted to double check on crimp first. Thanks |
January 8, 2013, 10:41 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 18, 2009
Location: Boston
Posts: 562
|
I never crimp slugs in 5.56 (.223 Rem).
|
January 8, 2013, 10:44 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 1, 2008
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 295
|
No need to crimp....just ignore the cannelure.
|
January 8, 2013, 10:45 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 31, 2010
Location: Communist State of IL.
Posts: 1,562
|
No crimp or a little taper is all. Vmax get none and FMJ's get a small amount. I am not saying it is needed I just do it this way.
__________________
NRA Life Member, SAF Member |
January 8, 2013, 10:46 PM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: December 7, 2012
Posts: 36
|
So if no need to crimp should I stick to my standard 2.250 COL or should I go to the recomended 2.20 that actually puts the end of the brass right in the cannelure.
|
January 9, 2013, 04:36 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 8, 2012
Location: so cal
Posts: 246
|
If your going to crimp seat to the cannelure
|
January 9, 2013, 06:16 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 20, 2012
Posts: 290
|
I do not crimp when making cartridges to shoot from my bolt action 223, but I do crimp when making cartridges for my AR. For the latter I seat and crimp to the cannelure.
|
January 9, 2013, 05:54 PM | #8 |
Member
Join Date: December 7, 2012
Posts: 36
|
Ok so with my RCBS Die How do I know how much crimp? With the .45 acp I know if it fits in my shell gauge it is right and I can measure it, but not sure how to tell on the .223 with or without cannelures.
I tested a few and they look good, but I have no idea how much I put on them a half of turn past touching the case mouth. Also do I have to trim all the cases in order to crimp the same everytime? I guess I do not know if my cases are all the same length. |
January 9, 2013, 07:29 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 22, 2011
Location: Middle America
Posts: 518
|
Only 'crimp' if there is a need to.
Simple and to the point. Be safe, OSOK |
January 10, 2013, 06:23 AM | #10 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 20, 2012
Posts: 290
|
Quote:
You do not have to trim your brass to the same length but if you are seating to the cannelure you will get more consistent seating depths if you do so. Lee makes a 'factory crimp die' for 223 which is just used for crimping. You would seat the bullet without crimp with the seating die, then crimp with the factory crimp die. It has worked well for me. |
|
January 10, 2013, 11:29 AM | #11 |
Member
Join Date: December 7, 2012
Posts: 36
|
I crimped some last night with my RCBS die just because I wanted to see them and it turned the brass in just a little bit and made them look like factory. I will shoot them this Saturday and determine if I should do it to all of them for my AR or not. I have never had an issue without a cannelure but I like to make sure each round is as good as it can be and I like to tweak things. Gives me something to do on these long cold winter nights when I cannot go fishing.
|
January 13, 2013, 01:43 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 22, 2006
Location: Missouri
Posts: 294
|
I crimp them for my AR. I never crimp .223 for bolt guns.
__________________
Just because your paranoid don't mean they aint out to get ya. |
January 13, 2013, 03:27 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 27, 2001
Posts: 298
|
Tollys, I'm curious to find out what your results were.
I use the same bullet in my non-precision plinking ammo and like you, I could not resist the urge to crimp last year, so I set up a second seating die just to crimp on the press station after seating. My 100-yard groups went from 1.5" to 2.25" from a 20" 1:7 Colt AR with A2 sights. Too bad, because the rounds did look really nice when crimped :-) |
January 13, 2013, 08:53 PM | #14 |
Member
Join Date: December 7, 2012
Posts: 36
|
Results
Loaded up 20 at different powder weights using CFE Powder and for the life of me I cannot remember my numbers, but I will get them and post them later if anyone wants them. I loaded some Sierra Blitzkings 55 grain and FMJ 55 grain.
Both with the same powder loads seated the FMJs at 2.20 and the shot great. 5 shot groups better then I can shoot, I wish I could see a real difference. The lightest powder group was the worst but after that they all looked great to me, but when the range is busy I dont feel like I have the time to really sit down on the bench and measure my groups like I want at least since I started reloading. I did notice that the crimped ones did not show any major improvement and I measured the last round before I shot it twice and it was still 2.20. So they didnt shorten up. So I guess I am going no crimp at least until I see something different. You are right though they sure looked pretty. |
January 13, 2013, 09:21 PM | #15 |
Junior member
Join Date: February 2, 2010
Posts: 6,846
|
All my loads that might be used in AR's are crimped. Loads specifically for the bolt rifles are not.
I've seen pictures of a couple of AR's destroyed by uncrimped ammo that suffered bullet push back during feeding. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|