Cast bullets and Neck tension

[Wolfdog91]

So question for the cast guys , when it comes to trying to get as much accuracy as you can with cast bullets, have you guys experimented with neck tension? If so what are your experiences?
Thanks

 

[Cochran]

I like just enough neck tension so the bullet doesn’t fall in the case then I put what I’d call a medium crimp on them.

 

[Pres100]

I'm not as concerned with the neck tension but I want the seating started straight and no shaving. I use the Lyman M-Die and then good crimp

 

[Pres100]

BTW .. Are we talking pistol or rifle?

 

[Wolfdog91]

BTW .. Are we talking pistol or rifle?

Rifle

 

[robert8904]

I try to have no more than .002" interference for plain or coated bullets in rifle. I use an M die and lube the bullets or the case neck. A light taper crimp on bottle necked cartridges, some roll crimp on straight wall rimmed and a light taper crimp for straight walled brass that head spaces on the case mouth.

 

[357Mag]

So question for the cast guys , when it comes to trying to get as much accuracy as you can with cast bullets, have you guys experimented with neck tension? If so what are your experiences?
Thanks

Wolfdog -

Howdy !

I'm in agreement w/ Pres100, about neck tension not being such a big deal w/ cast.

Here's a pic of my experimental wildcat " .35 Remington Neckless ". No neck at all.

The bullet is a swaged lead 195gr SPBT, where the central hollow cavity is capped w/ a plastic aerodynamic tip; and the BT is rebated. I " patch " w/ nylon self-stick DYMO label maker tape, as the swaged 195 has .350" diam.

Easy to get " minute of deer " 100yd accuracy, shot from my Marlin M-336 XLR .35 Rem .
Simple man's " Scheutzen " .

Straight entry of the lead bullet into the rifling..... gets my vote.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Sechrist2015]

Need enough tension to hold the bullet. Too tight and it won't shoot, too loose and it won't shoot. Bullet diameter vs barrel diameter is more important. As is bullet vs chamber/throat

 

[lotech]

Let your group sizes tell you; that's always the ultimate test. You may find neck tension to be a lesser factor than many imagine, sort of like ES and SD numbers.

 

[JSH]

To small and it will swage the bullet, sizing it down. Maybe only seen or noticeable for the really serious, much akin to 1-2 kernels of powder.

I am not a fan of taper crimps for cast bullets. Some have good luck with them, I never did.

As mentioned above, bullet to bore and throat size are #1.

 

[lotech]

Neck tension is fine if your accuracy is good and bullets don't move under recoil or feeding and chambering as in bolt actions. I've found with .308 and .30-06, bullets stay in place fine with no crimp, but I use .310" or .311" cast bullets. No need to crimp for any single shot rifle unless the bullet is loose. I'd only crimp for a lever gun or semi-auto and they may not need much. Many handloaders use too much crimp, potentially hurting accuracy.