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Posted: 4/9/2014 4:54:21 PM EDT
| Hey guys I am about to load some vmax 55 gr with out a cannelure. Should I crimp these with a Lee FCD or should I test for setback before I crimp and if it is good then I won't crimp? If I do crimp it will be very slight. |
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Hey guys I am about to load some vmax 55 gr with out a cannelure. Should I crimp these with a Lee FCD or should I test for setback before I crimp and if it is good then I won't crimp? If I do crimp it will be very slight. If there is no cannelure then how will you crimp? The short answer is you can't crimp without damaging the structure of the bullet. Neck tension is your friend 
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Quoted: Hey guys I am about to load some vmax 55 gr with out a cannelure. Should I crimp these with a Lee FCD or should I test for setback before I crimp and if it is good then I won't crimp? If I do crimp it will be very slight. You most certainly can crimp a bullet with no cannelure. You shouldn't use a roll crimp that is part of most sizing dies, but a Lee factory crimp die (collet crimp) will work nicely. Measure sizing ball, should be .002 to .003 smaller than bullet diameter. If so you will have proper neck tension. I think we have discussed this before.
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I tested a few rounds and i did not crimp. i had zero set back and the tension felt tight when seating bullets. Maybe on 1 or 2 test rounds the bullet set forward about .001 or less but thats it. COL is 2.250 with 23.6 grain of varget. Is this ok? The bigger issue is forward creep. Read this article by Sierra, scroll down to "Neck Tension". Even in factory ammo, neck tension alone is not enough to secure the bullet. http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/gasgunreload.cfm |
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I read that article. Is .001 or less too much forward creep? Should I put a slight crimp on all of these vmax loads .001 is nothing, literally nothing. With that small amount of movement you are GTG. You can crimp if you want to as you clearly do not need to. I crimp all my semi-autos, it not only secures the bullet it improves accuracy. YMMV |
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Crimping is optional in 223 used in an AR if your neck tension is correct. You shouldn't use a roll crimp that is part of most sizing dies, but a Lee factory crimp die (collet crimp) will work nicely. Measure sizing ball, should be .002 to .003 smaller than bullet diameter. If so you will have proper neck tension. I think we have discussed this before. Quoted:
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Hey guys I am about to load some vmax 55 gr with out a cannelure. Should I crimp these with a Lee FCD or should I test for setback before I crimp and if it is good then I won't crimp? If I do crimp it will be very slight. You most certainly can crimp a bullet with no cannelure. You shouldn't use a roll crimp that is part of most sizing dies, but a Lee factory crimp die (collet crimp) will work nicely. Measure sizing ball, should be .002 to .003 smaller than bullet diameter. If so you will have proper neck tension. I think we have discussed this before. This times a 1000................. |
| Ok I am deciding whether or not to crimp. I just another batch of vmax 55gr with 23.8 gr of Varget. All the rounds I tested I load in a mag lock bolt back and let the bolt slam home then eject and inspect. There was ZERO set back or bullet creep forward or set forward or what ever. I really want the best accuracy so should I run these through the Lee factory crimp die or just try em out? I am comfortable I just dont want the rounds to move while in the magazine. Thanks a lot for all the help guys. |
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I really want the best accuracy so should I run these through the Lee factory crimp die or just try em out? Only you and your rifle can answer that. If you wish you could test you loads both ways and see what works best for you and your rifle. I do a lot of testing both crimped and not crimped, here is one of many tests. Ten rounds each target 100 yards. Notice the difference? 
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ok then how much crimp should i use with the lee fcd? just the half turn past touching shell holder? Start there. If you can't see the crimp and you feel it is inadequate, give it a 1/4 turn more and keep doing this until you have your desired crimp. I crimp just enouigh to see the crimp in the brass, but not enough to squish a deep ring in the bullet. |
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Quoted: ok then how much crimp should i use with the lee fcd? just the half turn past touching shell holder? Steve is correct, try both ways see what works best for you. The way to adjust a FCD is to look straight down at it. Notice how far the 4 gaps between the collets are when press handle is down. If you bring case into die and collets close half way, that's a very firm crimp. I try for less than that. (like 1/4 to 1/3 closed) You should see a faint not bold crimp line on case mouth. |
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