223 crimp

[garym]

What is the type of. Crimp to use when loading for the semi auto AR15. Taper or standard roll

 

[lightman]

I don't crimp 223 either. I run enough neck tension that they hold the bullet. But, if you want to crimp I would suggest a taper crimp.

 

[Cort]

A roll crimp requires that all your brass be the same length. Otherwise the crimp will be inconsistent and cause groups to be inconsistent. A taper crimp gives consistent crimps regardless of case length but one must be careful to not over do it because you will swage your bullet and performance of your projectile suffers. Loading with consistent neck tension most likely yields the most accurate load. A magazine fed AR needs higher neck tension than a bolt gun unless you are single feeding. Then neck tension is not as great an issue.

Cort

 

[fredhorace77]

like the others posted, i dont crimp. i tried it once and the groups were erratic so i figured instead of adding another variable to the mix i just went without the crimp. have since had no problems. proper neck tension is all i rely on. i crimped with the lee factory crimp, which imo is the best crimp die made, i still keep it around just in case i ever need it.

 

[Shynloco]

I don't crimp 223 either. I run enough neck tension that they hold the bullet. But, if you want to crimp I would suggest a taper crimp.

+1

 

[fdshuster]

I don't crimp 223 either. I run enough neck tension that they hold the bullet. But, if you want to crimp I would suggest a taper crimp.

+1

 

[padom]

I don't crimp either. I've run 1000's of my .223 77smk/annealed LC handloads through numerous 2 gun matches and I've never had an issue.

 

[Danattherock]

I was all caught up in this a while back after reading about the Lee factory crimp die improving accuracy. Google LFCD 223 and you will find tons on opposing views. Before I started messing with it, I started developing a good sub MOA varget 69 SMK load, now a good 77 SMK load.

Shot several 1/4-1-2" groups. Not bothering with LFCD for now. Although I have considered adding it to station four on my Dillon 550 where I make my plinking 223 loads with 55 gr Hornadys and H335. This all goes through an EOtech outfitted AR for Walking Dead type scenarios.

After exhaustive research, it appears an even split on folks that crimp with 223 and those that don't. Moreso than this thread reflects. The ones that do use a LFCD, use it very lightly. Sounds like many folks overdo the crimp and degrade accuracy by deforming bullets. I may add it to my Dillon, already bought the LFCD, why not test it out. But for accuracy, single stage loading, I don't see the point. Agree with others regarding neck tension being adequate.



Dan

 

[boltgunluvr]

What is the type of. Crimp to use when loading for the semi auto AR15. Taper or standard roll

Depends on the bullet. Does it have a cannelure? If so, and if the gun shoots it well, roll crimp, but brass needs to be fairly close in length. If no cannelure, taper crimp or use Lee Factory Crimp Die lightly.

 

[minnesotamulisha]

I used to crimp when I first started loading. I dont anymore. My loads are much more consistent now. I will crimp for my hunting loads, but only with a taper crimp.

 

[Danattherock]

The main thing that took the steam out of the idea for me was understanding that crimping, if overly or poorly applied, reduces neck tension and makes it inconsistent.

 

[garym]

Thanks guys

 

[tcoz]

Most people don't crimp rifle cartridges, but if you do, start with a very light taper crimp only. I haven't heard many people say that crimping helps their accuracy. It's basically to prevent bullet setback when chambering, but neck tension really should be sufficient.

 

[amlevin]

I have a Lee FCD die in the last station of my Dillon 650. It's set to "crimp" just enough to make sure the case mouth is against the bullet, no more (unless it's a cannelured bullet for my semi-auto's "fun rounds").

Since all my .223 cases loaded on the 650 have been trimmed with an RT1200 and are of equal length it's easy to maintain the amount of crimp with this die and the rounds shoot with remarkable accuracy.

Handloads for my bolt action .223 are not crimped.

 

[waldo1979]

I use redding national match dies which comes with a taper crimp die. Like others, I don't crimp. The national match dies give me 0.004" neck tension with Lapua brass (a little heavy). Never had a round come lose.

I shoot mostly 77Gr SMK, 75 gr Hornady and soon some Berger 75gr VLD. I'm currently waiting for an upper to come back from Compass Lake with a 24" krieger 1:7.7" twist.