how much crimp is needed on a 223 bullet

chadn22 · Rookie Member Joined: Feb 03, 2008 Posts: 3

hey guys new to reloading. Trying to figure out how much crimp to put on a reloaded shell. Im shooting them in a ar-15 . I am useing a lee pro 1000.any help wouls be great. thanks Chad

Pumpkinslinger

I haven't been using any crimp for my AR loads. Unless the bullet has a cannelure for crimping you're likely to bulge the shoulder (As I proved not too long ago accidentally).

Handloader

ditto, Pumpkinslinger. My experience is that on most bottle neck rifle cartridges of moderate recoil, neck tension will prevent any forward creep of the bullet. This presumes the sizing die and expander ball are to spec and case neck thickness is norm.

I agree that crimping is often disadvantageous and unless properly done can lead to FTF. OTOH, straight wall revolver cases reloaded to moderate velocities can benefit from a roll crimp to preclude creep but, more importantly, to assure more consistency with pressure. On max loads with big bores a good roll crimp is often mandatory. In those situations the main issue to assure that the mouth of the case doesn't bottom out on the cannelure and create the bulge Pumpkinslinger mentioned. It has to be done carefully. The problem, of course, with revolvers is that bullet creep can extend the bullet beyond the mouth of the cylinder and create a bind.

Joe Boleo

Like these other fine fellows, I do not crimp .223 bullets in place. Take care...
Joe