to crimp, or not to crimp
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Maine
Posts: 690
to crimp, or not to crimp
I would like to know what you folks think about whether or not to crimp the bullet in the case. I think I understand the importance of crimp as far as bullet movement is concerned. ie; if the bullet isn' t crimped, then the bullets in the magazine may dislodge or move in their cases due to the recoil of the gun. Is this correct??
But, as far as accuracy is concerned, which is more accurate, crimped bullet, or un-crimped bullet?
But, as far as accuracy is concerned, which is more accurate, crimped bullet, or un-crimped bullet?
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 1,284
RE: to crimp, or not to crimp
I' ve never seen where a crimped bullet was anymore accurate than one that wasn' t crimped. I' ve loaded both ways and tried this and the accuracy was unchanged with my guns. The only time i crimp now is if i' m loading for an automatic where the bullets will be stacked otherwise i don' t crimp.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Fenton, MI
Posts: 88
RE: to crimp, or not to crimp
Crimping prevents the bullet from moving rearward into the cartridge case during recoil or any other action that may cause the bullet to move. If the bullet moves too far out of spec (either way), dangerous pressure may result during firing.
In terms of accuracy, I personally get the best results from uncrimped loads. I don' t crimp ANY of my bolt action rifle loads, for target or hunting purposes, but I do put a mild taper crimp onto all 308 Winchester I load for my brother' s semi-auto.
Anything going into a tubular magazine MUST be crimped.
In terms of accuracy, I personally get the best results from uncrimped loads. I don' t crimp ANY of my bolt action rifle loads, for target or hunting purposes, but I do put a mild taper crimp onto all 308 Winchester I load for my brother' s semi-auto.
Anything going into a tubular magazine MUST be crimped.
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Oakland OR USA
Posts: 2,929
RE: to crimp, or not to crimp
We load for 38-55 ,40-65, 45-70 and find that crimping gives us a better burn on the powder and improved accuracy for this type rifle and slow powders . the only other thing we crimp for is tubular feed magazines . You can read all kinds of things pro and con but I believe the best answer is try both and form your own opinion .
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Maine
Posts: 690
RE: to crimp, or not to crimp
Thanks halcon,
I knew that I had read somewhere that crimping had something to do with accuracy, but couldn' t remember which was which.
Do you live anywhere close to Eugene, OR?
I knew that I had read somewhere that crimping had something to do with accuracy, but couldn' t remember which was which.
Do you live anywhere close to Eugene, OR?
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: to crimp, or not to crimp
I like crimping in some situations. One for my 300RUM. With new brass crimping is a waste of time. But after 3 firings, I see brass getting hardened, and neck tension go down. So my cure before trying to aneal or sell on ebay is to crimp. Seems to bounce those groups back under 1" . All I am doing is putting the neck tension back, I know.
#9
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Maine
Posts: 690
RE: to crimp, or not to crimp
That' s interesting bigcountry, I never thought about the need for crimping as changing while using the same brass.
Do you crimp on a bullet that doesn' t have a " crimp groove?"
Do you crimp on a bullet that doesn' t have a " crimp groove?"
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Oakland OR USA
Posts: 2,929
RE: to crimp, or not to crimp
MaineHunter I live about 45 miles south of Eugene in a very small town ,at least close to a small town ,I live in the country .
If you are going to crimp I would spend the money and buy the Lee Precisions crimp . Its the easiest to use and case length is not as critical , with a roll crimp you need a cannelured bullet and all the cases the same length . What caliber are you considering to use a crimp on .
If you are going to crimp I would spend the money and buy the Lee Precisions crimp . Its the easiest to use and case length is not as critical , with a roll crimp you need a cannelured bullet and all the cases the same length . What caliber are you considering to use a crimp on .