To Crimp or not to crimp....

steve4102 · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 38

I crimp all of my loads with the Lee Factory Crimp Die. Increases accuracy and reduces SD.

Here is some interesting reading on the LFCD.

www.accuratereloading....mping.html

Blaine · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 260 Location: Maine

I tried a load in my 270 the other day. I am very particular about case prep and batching as well as bullet weight batching etc. I also go to the extra steps of case neck thickness trimming and flash hole uniforming, weighing each powder charge, and the whole 9 yards. The reason I say all this is to show that the loads I did for the 270 were as identical as I could possibly make them except for the crimp. I used Federal cases, Winch WLR primers, and 52.1 grs of IMR4350 powder. I loaded 5 rounds of each load(i.e. 5 crimped...5 not crimped) Same OAL and everything. Listed below are the results. (BTW, I cleaned the gun and let it cool after the first 5 rounds so that they would start out the same)

Uncrimped...ave vel=2865, ES=37, SD=14.36, 100yd 5 shot grp=1.60", best 4 grp=1.00"
Crimped...ave vel=2869, ES=31, SD=13.21, 100 yd 5 shot grp=.80", best 4 grp= .65"

I know this small test is not conclusive, but for the small cost of a Lee factory crimp die and the little extra time it takes, I'd say that crimping is worth it.

Blaine

Bushmaster · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: To Crimp or not to crimp....

You guys are just trying to force me to buy a LFCD for my .30-06 aren't you!??!

Blaine · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 260 Location: Maine

Yup!! I work on commission for Lee Wink

Blaine

popgun · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:38 pm Post subject: Re: To Crimp or not to crimp....

Heck, the die only costs $9.00 so you won't loose much if it does not work for you. I suspect, predict, that it will help your rounds group tighter and be more consistent.

Bushmaster · Last edited by Bushmaster on Mon Jul 11, 2005 7:19 pm; edited 1 time in total

My .30-06 is grouping 20 rounds in a 4" circle at 200 yards now. How much better do you want???

Blaine · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 260 Location: Maine

Bushmaster wrote:

My .30-06 is grouping 20 rounds in a 4" circle at 200 yards now. How much better eo you want???

2"

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: To Crimp or not to crimp....

Sorry, but deer and elk are not that small. L O L Note...That's 20 rounds, not 3 or 5 rounds, in a 4" circle.

popgun · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: To Crimp or not to crimp....

Quote::

Bushmaster
Deer

Joined: Jun 12, 2005
Posts: 45
Location: SSRofC

Where is SSRofC ???

Bushmaster · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: To Crimp or not to crimp....

Why Popgun...That's Soviet Socialist Republic of Cqlifornia...And before anyone can say "If you don't like it, leave" I'm on my way in a few. I came to cal to get some of their gold and I have been successful and am retiring in one or two years. And I'm out of here.

popgun · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:12 pm Post subject: Re: To Crimp or not to crimp....

Should have known that Laughing

I retired in '96, got bored and went back to work. That lasted about a year and a half and I returned to retirement. It's more fun to hunt, fish, reload, Sleep late, game scouting, and just waisting time on the computer.
So I hope you enjoy your retirement!!
Where you relocating to?
Safe shootin'
Chris

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

I wish I could retire Sad

-DallanC

Bushmaster · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: To Crimp or not to crimp....

Popgun...My wife said that I was retiring in Missouri. I said O K, but it had to fill 4 criteria. 1. Must have at least 5 acres. 2. Must have a barn. 3. Must not be flat. 4. Must NOT be california. Looks like the Ozarks for me in about a year or two...

DallanC...It'll come. It'll come......

kbis · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:48 pm Post subject: Re: To Crimp or not to crimp....

Bushmaster- How about East Texas? I was a native born Ca. and lived there for 50+ years. I love East Texas, lots of trees, game to hunt in your back yard and property is very reasonable.

kbis · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:50 pm Post subject: Re: To Crimp or not to crimp....

I have know idea what my last comment had to do with crimping Very Happy

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