reloading 308 - to crimp or not to crimp

[Grand poo bah]

hey all. Ive heard mixed messages on weather to crimp after pressing the round in. I'm running a Dillon 550 press. what is the good/bad with crimping the brass as the last step?

 

[Preacher]

No need to crimp a 308 as far as I know.
I crimp the majority of my revolver reloads, and anything tube fed that will cause a bullet to set back in the case when it's fired, but thats it....
if your going to crimp, do it last....

 

[NorCalMikie]

Using standard full length dies, the neck tension is usually enough to hold the bullets in place. I don't even crimp for my gas guns. Never had any problems. so far.

 

[necchi]

Well it's simple really Grand, and kinda what loading is all about,
,you'll have too determine whether crimping for your gun achieves better accuracy than not crimping.
That's why we load our own ammunition. It's the ability to custom make ammunition for each gun.

There isn't a Golden Rule that says which way is better, it's determined by each loaders goal, desires and technique.

If you have found a good load for your gun using all the proper procedure using a no crimp avenue, try another with a crimping technique.
Crimping and the load specifics may be better for your gun and maybe not,,
,it's no more complicated than that,

 

[necchi]

aka; Ya, gotta experiment,

 

[Webster]

I never heard of anyone crimping rifle brass. I think it was done on some military ammo. I don't think it's possible to crimp rifle brass unless the bullet has crimping grooves. You need a space for the neck to fit into. You cannot crush the bullet. If you look at pictures of all of the manufacturers bullets I don't think you will see a crimping groove on them.

 

[Webster]

I don't think any of the companies that sell reloading dies advertise you can crimp with their dies. The die has to be made with a reduced diameter at the top to do the crimping. I don't think you could find a 308 crimping die???

 

[tomj44]

Crimp dies are out there Webster. An example would be, Lee's factory crimp die, in 308 win.

 

[necchi]

And RCBS seating dies can be used for a taper crimp, the isnstructions come with the dies and they are on line.

 

[markm87]

We've not crimped our .308s for the gas gun. Depends on your neck tension.

In .223 gas gun ammo, we use a light LEE Factory Crimp on 69 gr SMKs. Doesn't hurt accuracy a bit.

 

[coreydelong]

If you can't pull the bullet out of the case with your fingers then don't crimp it.

I've never crimped ANY rifle cartridges. Neck tension only does the job.

 

[stretch308]

I started with crimping because thats what the manuals told me . Since then I've read many other published words which were not manuals and have discovered that (which most you will see above) your rifle will (if you listen closely) let you know what it prefers. Most of my rifles do not request crimped ammo(mostly because huntin guns are hard to distinguish minute of venison crimped or not crimped)so I save the extra step. At least reloading is so much fun that you get to find out through trial n error.

 

[Hopkins]

I have a FN-Fal that crimping or a very snug neck is an absolute necessity for.

 

[jec]

I would suggest that you do not crimp. It crushes the round leaving it distorted which can lead to jacket failure down range. also of you dont turn your case necks you will crimp the big side of the neck into the round which will in turn be holding the bullet tighter on that side. when the round breaks it can start down the bore at an an angle(slight angle not 45 degrees or anything)and affect accuracy. If you are worried about how well the round is held in the case neck get a bushing die and apply more neck tension.

 

[markm87]

I have a FN-Fal that crimping or a very snug neck is an absolute necessity for.

For sure... To say that rifle ammo crimping is NEVER necessary or appropriate is crazy.