Question for Reloader friends

[Chad0724]

I am getting ready to reload 223 rounds for my AR-15, I have bullets with no cannelure (Nosler Varmageddon). Should the shells be crimped because the AR15 feeding system or not crimped? I have read that you are not supposed to crimp if no cannelure is present. Please school me.

Thanks,


Chad

[Great-Kazoo]

i light crimp using a lee FCD, others do not. Once loaded, take a round and push down on the bullet, that will give you an indication you need to crimp, or not. YMMV

[Ranger353]

i light crimp using a lee FCD, others do not. Once loaded, take a round and push down on the bullet, that will give you an indication you need to crimp, or not. YMMV

Agree. If the bullet slides or even wiggles ever so slightly, crimp.

[Jamnanc]

These guys have reloaded more than me, but I've done a couple thousand 2 23 rounds and I don't crimp.

[Great-Kazoo]

These guys have reloaded more than me, but I've done a couple thousand 2 23 rounds and I don't crimp.

IIRC the answer will be 50-50 . Is it necessary, not really, for some, peace of mind works better than all the advice offered.

[Chad0724]

thanks, I think I will do a light crimp with the lee FCD

[Caithford]

FWIW, in reading my squeaky new manual for my brand new dies for my brand new Dillon 550 (not bragging, just excited!!) they recommend a .002 crimp to start. So you can measure your crimp and see how it goes for you.

[Zombie Steve]

If it doesn't have a cannelure, don't crimp. Varmint bullets are going to have really thin jackets. No point in mashing it. If you don't have adequate neck tension, that's a sizing problem. I have one load that likes just a little touch of crimp (yes, bullet has a cannelure)... most of my rifle loads don't get anything. I've found it detrimental to accuracy, but figure out your load first and then mess with that variable.

ETA - neck tension can also be an issue with seating depth. If you don't seat it so enough of the driving band is touching brass (obviously a boat tail doesn't make contact) then you may have to adjust. The old rule of thumb is one caliber width needs to be touching brass. I know everyone wants to be .xxx" off the lands, but unless it's a secant ogive, it probably won't matter much. Your bullet will likely be yanked out .005" or so when it slams into the chamber and abruptly stops. No big deal.