Crimping ?

[statjunk]

If a bullet was once crimped does it have to be crimped each time in the future?

Does a full lenght die set include a crimper?

Does crimping decrease the life of a case?

When should a cartridge be crimped?

Thanks

Tom

[Deleted User]

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[statjunk]

Thanks!

[lemoyne]

What has been said is true for rifles,I crip my 44mag pistols because if you dont the bullet will crawl out of the case from recoil also with a heavy recoil gun keeping the bullet in the same place on all loads is as important as case triming. Lee

[Pawildman]

lemoyne's feelings are the same as mine. The only bullets I crimp are for my .41 Mag, .44 Mag, and my .45 Colt. I don't crimp any rifle loads.

You can play around with it later I suggest. I know I used to crimp a-frame bullets. It performed great with a crimp. I also experiemented with brass that was shot alot and had hardened necks, and it helped accuracy. But for the most part these days, playing aside, I don't crimp rifle except straightwalled like 45-70.

[bronko22000]

Well I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion but I have been using the Lee factory crimp dies in my .270, 06, .223, and 300WM. IMO it does improve accuracy. I shot several groups withthe same load crimped and uncrimped and did notice an accuracy difference. And to be fair, I cleaned the bore after each group to ensure fouling would not be a variable. As for revolver and other straight walled cases (like the .45-70) I roll crimp the bullet in place. The only ammo I don't crimp are the auto pistol (.40 S&W, .380, .45 ACP)

[handloader1]

I never crimp anything I don't have to. Good luck.

[stubblejumper]

I shot several groups withthe same load crimped and uncrimped and did notice an accuracy difference.

Yet I don't know of any benchrest shooters that crimp their loads.And benchrest shooters will do whatever makes for the most accurate load.

[steve4102]

ORIGINAL: stubblejumper

Yet I don't know of any benchrest shooters that crimp their loads.And benchrest shooters will do whatever makes for the most accurate load.

True, but, there is a HUGE difference between a benchrest rifle and the common everyday hunting rifle! Comparing what makes a high dollar benchrest rifle shoot its best to a off the shelf hunting rifle is apples to oranges, sloppy this, sloppy that, etc.
For one thing the benchrest shooter can seat his bullets out to the lands to give him the constant pressure he is looking for. Many hunting rifles do not allow enough room in the mag to accomplish this. Using the Lee Factory Crimp Die can and does help with a more iniform pressure curve and less velocity variation which can and does help accuracy.
I have a Lee Factory Crimp Die for all of my calibers. It improves accuracy in most and little of no change in a couple, none however have lost accuracy by crimping with the LFCD.
Here is some interesting reading on crimping with the LFCD.

http://www.accuratereloading.com/crimping.html