Do I Crimp The .223?

UtopiaTexasG19 · September 19, 2011, 08:02 PM

On rifle bullets up until now I have only re-loaded the 30-30 Winchester which are crimped since they go into a tubular magazine. I plan on working up some .223 for a AR15 and wonder if the .223 needs to be crimped also. The commercial rounds I have now show no sign of crimping. Thanks...

mehavey · September 19, 2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

wonder if the .223 needs to be crimped also....

Negative -- crimps are neither needed nor desired in most gas guns (ARs, Garands/M1A's etc.).

Normal neck tension is more than enough and evens out possible/normal variations in case length.

chris in va · September 19, 2011, 08:18 PM

I do, just to prevent any bullet setback. Mine are just plinkers though, nothing like 1moa accuracy.

UtopiaTexasG19 · September 19, 2011, 09:00 PM

What has me a bit confused is that Lee has a "factory crimp" die for the .223 and I wondered why they would make a die that is not needed. Hmmmmm.

Charlie98 · September 19, 2011, 09:29 PM

To crimp or not to crimp is a question with about as many answers as there are reloaders.

My answer... I crimp some and don't crimp others. My 'surplus-equivalent' ammo (in both 5.56mm and 7.62mm) get's lightly crimped with a LFCD; my long-range loads (BTHP bullets) don't. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Others crimp everything (I was that way until I started loading for the M1a,) and others don't crimp anything. They are all correct... for them.

No-crimp brass needs to have good neck tension, my rule of thumb is to use newer brass for more consistent neck tension.

jhansman · September 19, 2011, 09:53 PM

I crimp my Saiga .223 rounds, just for peace of mind. There's a lot going on in and AK action.

kraigwy · September 19, 2011, 09:57 PM

I don't crimp any of my rifles (excluding my loads for my Marlin 94 in 38/357

I certainly arn't going to crimp my 223 or any other target rounds.

jolly roger · September 19, 2011, 10:13 PM

I LIGHTLY crimp with a Lee Factory Crimp Die all 223 and 308 fired in semi autos. NEVER crimp for a bolt gun at all. Just a little added insurance to make sure there's no bullet set back. ALL military ammo is crimped by the way.

Jim243 · September 19, 2011, 11:19 PM

For auto-loaders YES for bolt NO. Do what YOU think is the best for you.

Jim

joyrock · September 20, 2011, 07:37 AM

I don't, but I can see why to do it in auto loaders. I have never had any problems (in my AR-15) with not crimping my 223. Thats my 0.02$.

steve4102 · September 20, 2011, 08:16 AM

Here is a good article on loading for "Service rifles". You should read the whole thing, but to answer your question scroll down to "Neck Tension". Pay particular attention to the part about the bullets moving forward.

http://www.exteriorballistics.com/re...sgunreload.cfm

wingman · September 20, 2011, 08:41 AM

I load for accuracy in small numbers for my AR if I were reloading for storage
and rapid fire I would crimp to prevent possible bullet movement maybe even primer seal.

praetorian97 · September 20, 2011, 10:12 AM

To each his/her own.

I crimp my 223 because it runs through my AR. ARs by pure nature are notorious for slamming the bullet into the camber. Hence why they even make a sturdier series of primers for ARs.

jepp2 · September 20, 2011, 10:34 PM

Be aware that because someone else says they don't need to crimp doesn't mean that you don't need to crimp.

The chambering action of the AR can cause the bullet to be driven deeper into the case when the bullet tip hits the feed ramp. It can also cause the bullet to move forward in the case as the case stops suddenly and the inertia wants to pull the bullet out of the case just like an inertia bullet puller.

What I would suggest you do is to know your overall length. Try some without a crimp. Let the firing action chamber a round you know the length of. Pull the bolt back and catch the round before it hits the ground. Measure the length and compare that with the bullet OAL you have recorded. Doing this several times will tell you if you need to crimp for your particular setup.

The reason you can't rely on other folks experience is because your brass, your bullets, your sizing dies, your techniques can be different and that "could" affect neck tension. Different brass can have differing neck thickness.

September 19, 2011, 08:02 PM	#1
UtopiaTexasG19 Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Location: S.E. Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 743	Do I Crimp The .223? On rifle bullets up until now I have only re-loaded the 30-30 Winchester which are crimped since they go into a tubular magazine. I plan on working up some .223 for a AR15 and wonder if the .223 needs to be crimped also. The commercial rounds I have now show no sign of crimping. Thanks...

September 19, 2011, 09:53 PM	#6
jhansman Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 680	I crimp my Saiga .223 rounds, just for peace of mind. There's a lot going on in and AK action. __________________ Blessed is the man who has nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

September 19, 2011, 08:18 PM	#3
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I do, just to prevent any bullet setback. Mine are just plinkers though, nothing like 1moa accuracy.

September 19, 2011, 09:00 PM	#4
UtopiaTexasG19 Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Location: S.E. Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 743	What has me a bit confused is that Lee has a "factory crimp" die for the .223 and I wondered why they would make a die that is not needed. Hmmmmm.

September 19, 2011, 09:29 PM	#5
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	To crimp or not to crimp is a question with about as many answers as there are reloaders. My answer... I crimp some and don't crimp others. My 'surplus-equivalent' ammo (in both 5.56mm and 7.62mm) get's lightly crimped with a LFCD; my long-range loads (BTHP bullets) don't. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Others crimp everything (I was that way until I started loading for the M1a,) and others don't crimp anything. They are all correct... for them. No-crimp brass needs to have good neck tension, my rule of thumb is to use newer brass for more consistent neck tension.

September 19, 2011, 09:57 PM	#7
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,060	I don't crimp any of my rifles (excluding my loads for my Marlin 94 in 38/357 I certainly arn't going to crimp my 223 or any other target rounds.

September 19, 2011, 10:13 PM	#8
jolly roger Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 179	I LIGHTLY crimp with a Lee Factory Crimp Die all 223 and 308 fired in semi autos. NEVER crimp for a bolt gun at all. Just a little added insurance to make sure there's no bullet set back. ALL military ammo is crimped by the way.

September 19, 2011, 11:19 PM	#9
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	For auto-loaders YES for bolt NO. Do what YOU think is the best for you. Jim

September 20, 2011, 07:37 AM	#10
joyrock Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 153	I don't, but I can see why to do it in auto loaders. I have never had any problems (in my AR-15) with not crimping my 223. Thats my 0.02$.

September 20, 2011, 08:16 AM	#11
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,968	Here is a good article on loading for "Service rifles". You should read the whole thing, but to answer your question scroll down to "Neck Tension". Pay particular attention to the part about the bullets moving forward. http://www.exteriorballistics.com/re...sgunreload.cfm

September 20, 2011, 08:41 AM	#12
wingman Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2002 Posts: 2,108	I load for accuracy in small numbers for my AR if I were reloading for storage and rapid fire I would crimp to prevent possible bullet movement maybe even primer seal.

September 20, 2011, 10:12 AM	#13
praetorian97 Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2011 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 455	To each his/her own. I crimp my 223 because it runs through my AR. ARs by pure nature are notorious for slamming the bullet into the camber. Hence why they even make a sturdier series of primers for ARs.

September 20, 2011, 10:34 PM	#14
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	Be aware that because someone else says they don't need to crimp doesn't mean that you don't need to crimp. The chambering action of the AR can cause the bullet to be driven deeper into the case when the bullet tip hits the feed ramp. It can also cause the bullet to move forward in the case as the case stops suddenly and the inertia wants to pull the bullet out of the case just like an inertia bullet puller. What I would suggest you do is to know your overall length. Try some without a crimp. Let the firing action chamber a round you know the length of. Pull the bolt back and catch the round before it hits the ground. Measure the length and compare that with the bullet OAL you have recorded. Doing this several times will tell you if you need to crimp for your particular setup. The reason you can't rely on other folks experience is because your brass, your bullets, your sizing dies, your techniques can be different and that "could" affect neck tension. Different brass can have differing neck thickness.