I may have a dumb question here. I recently bought a Rem 7400 in .280. I am currently shooting 150gr corelocks (factory), but would like to load up some 150gr nosler ballistic tips. My question is do I have to crimp the bullet? I have been reloading for my bolt action guns and have yet to crimp. If I do have to crimp can I do so using my rcbs standard FL dies?

huntingstoneboy wrote:

If I do have to crimp can I do so using my rcbs standard FL dies?

Gidday huntingstoneboy. Mate, when you say FL dies are you referring to your Full Length Sizing die???? Do not under any circumstances try running a loaded round into your Full Length Sizing die......could be very VERY nasty.

My RCBS dies have a roll crimp built into their Bullet seating die that is easy to adjust for the quantity of crimp, but I prefer to use a Lee Factory Crimp die...its a more consistent crimp and if the blurb is to be believed it also offers better accuracy.

Cheers, Vince

Without looking it up I believe a Remington 7400 is a semi-auto. I don't believe you have to crimp the cases. The way to find out is to load up a few and fire a couple and check the rest in the magazine for bullet set back. If there is set back then crimp is needed. If no set back, no crimp is needed.

The only rifles that need a crimp are those with tubular magazines like Winchester mod 94's and (dare I say it ) Marlin 336's.

Both of these "Gentlemen" have given you sound advise.

I worded my intentions incorrectly. I meant I would try to crimp with the bullet seating die that came in my full length set (if possible). I think Bushmaster has the right idea, put some reloads in the magazine and see if the COL changes after a fireing cycle. I have been led to believe that crimping "hurts" accuracy, and have avoided it. I guess you don't know until you try. Thanks guys,
Huntingstoneboy

Something to think about. Most factory ammo is crimped and that is why today's factory ammo is more accurate than 20 or 30 years ago. Crimping gives a more consistent starting pressure that results in some improved accuracy. Some calibers prefer crimping, ie 22 Hornet for example. But like the others say, try it without first then try it with a crimp. Like Vince, I prefer the Lee Factory Crimp die. It gives a more uniform crimp than roll crimping. Calibers that the Lee Factory Crimp die has helped accuracy for me so far are the 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, and 22-250. I purchased the Lee dies for all of the rifle calibers that I load for and intend to try the crimp on all of them to see if accuracy is improved. So far the ratio is three for three. The Lee Factory Crimp die is under $10.00 and often on sale for under $8.00 at www.MidwayUSA.com/ and www.MidshouthShootersSupply.com/

Thanks Popgun. Now another "dumb" question can I crimp any bullet, or just those with a crimping groove?

I crimp all styles. A cannelure crimping grove is nice but not necessary. I rarely crimp on the cannelure anyhow because I crimp at the optimum Over All Length (OAL) which is rarely where the cannelure is located on the bullet. The light crimp used with the Lee Factory Crimp die does not change the bullet enough to be a detriment to hunting accuracy.
By the way your questions are not 'dumb'. You are seeking information on a subject that you are new to so the questions are 'right on the money'. Ask away anytime. The guys here are very knowledgeable and ready to help out.

Thanks again for your help! Huntingstoneboy

huntingstoneboy wrote:

Thanks Popgun. Now another "dumb" question can I crimp any bullet, or just those with a crimping groove?

Huntingstoneboy, there is no such thing as a dumb question, especially if you are new to the process. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask. As my Dad always said to me....Better a silly question than a stupid mistake.

Like popgun, I don't always crimp in the cannelure. The blurb that comes with the Lee Factory Crimp die explains that you don't actually need a cannelure to crimp into....the die makes its own.

Cheers, Vince

huntingstoneboy,
FYI
For autoloaders Small Base dies are recommmended. Regular dies may work OK. Keep that chamber clean with a bent wire brush.

Clean the chamber often.
Use small base dies if you need to (if you have any chambering problems)
Popgun and Vince are giving you advice based on their experience and I will give you advice based on mine.Target shooters from 6mm to the .30 cal. 1000yd large bore shooters do not crimp their loads and they shoot the most accurate loads in the world. In my opinion NEVER crimp unless you have to. I have tried it both ways and crimping only messes with my reloads. Ammo manufacturers can't tune a load to one gun so they have to crimp their loads. They also have to contend with shipping them all over the country. I have never found any factory round that is as accurate as my hand loads and if I crimp my handloads - they are not more accurate in my guns and my experience - Try it both ways but I would not recommend that you crimp any bullet that does not have a cannelure to crimp in - Nosler and Speer have shown that it can set their bullets out of ballance and shift the core of their bullets - they do not recommend you crimp their bullets unless they have a cannelure.

Paul