How's this look?

[jscwerve]

So, if you have noticed, I ask a lot of questions in this section. I haven't reloaded since I was a teenager, and then never loaded for a semi auto rifle. So... lo and behold!! ANOTHER QUESTION!!!!!

Anyways, how does this crimp look? I'm not getting into the debate on the whole crimp thing, or bullets moving, or accuracy, Just figured that since all of my cases are within .001 and this is plinking ammo, why the hell not.

Like I said, I've not reloaded in years, I am anal about something that could potentially end badly, and I have no pride against asking those more knowledgable if I have questions. So, here it is:

(pay no attention to the rings on the bullet, these were my dummy setup rounds for depth, so they saw the die a couple of times)

[gnihcraes]

"looks" like too much crimp to me. I just looked at one of my 223 reloads, my bullet is not seated nearly as deep as yours looks. It looks too deep unless this is just a test round?

Who's dies are you using? The marks on the bullet even after several tries at seating should show that many marks?

(this is all just my opinion obviously)

[jscwerve]

Bullet is seated to correct depth, brass is trimmed to 1.748, COL is 2.2025. I thought it might be too much crimp, but was not sure. Thats why I ask!!

I'm using regular ol RCBS small base die set for .223.

[Hannu]

I do not know what rifle you load for, but that crimp is waaaay too tight no matter what.
If you are not otherwise interested, crimp will reduce brass life alot.

Why you use small base die ?

[jscwerve]

I do not know what rifle you load for, but that crimp is waaaay too tight no matter what.
If you are not otherwise interested, crimp will reduce brass life alot.

Why you use small base die ?

Small base dies are for semi auto rifles. Full length sizing ensures proper chambering. When the case is hot and being extracted there is the possibility that it could still be expanding, causing the case not to be able to load into the same chamber (easily) again. That is my understanding of it anyways. As always, I may be wrong.

Thanks for the thoughts on the crimp. I ask because I was not sure and didn't want to find out after loading up a ton of rounds. I will adjust my crimp accordingly and probably post an updated pic with adjusted crimp tomorrow night.

[Hannu]

Small base dies are for semi auto rifles. Full length sizing ensures proper chambering. When the case is hot and being extracted there is the possibility that it could still be expanding, causing the case not to be able to load into the same chamber (easily) again. That is my understanding of it anyways. As always, I may be wrong.

If you rifle is acting like that, you have some serious problems...
I have only tried small base die, just to find out it creates some problems, like excessive case stretching and head separation problems lot sooner than with regular full sizing die.

Used regular full length sizing die after that, have not had any problems and I mainly shoot AR-15 rifle.