Originally Posted By: GCOriginally Posted By: willy1947
I use a Lee crimp die, around $18
I crimp all rounds that go in my AR's. It is the right thing to do.
You do not have too but I play it safe.
You're gonna have to 'splain that one please...
Glad you ask. There is no test you have to pass to load your own ammo.
The facts are this; do not believe anything about reloading on the internet. Find an NRA reloading class near you and take the course.
The following is just things that I do when I reload ammo. They are not right or wrong it is just how I load. I started loading at 14 and I am 64 now. I am still alive.
Any round I loaded in an auto loading firearm, I crimp. I use only bullets; I can crimp and are made for that caliber.
Say you have a feed problem and the bullet is moved back into the case. When, it is fired, chamber pressure will climb. If the case is full of powder and you compress the charge that will add to the pressure. If you rifle does not blow up, you will shoot high and miss your target.
Recoil can push bullets back into the case in the box magazine. It happened to me with my first 700/7mm rem mag. recoil was pushing my reloaded bullets back into the case in the box magazine. I started crimping.
All factory rounds are crimped, when I reload I look for bullets that not only the right diameter but are made for the caliber. 308 bullets for the 308 Marlin express have different crimp grooves placement than a bullet for a 308 win or 30-06. To hold the right over all length for the round, they move the groove.
Bullet companies make bullets that are just for the AR platform. Call a Ammo Company up and tell them you want 1,000, 5.56’s with no bullet crimp. The phone line will go dead if you are lucky.
If you shoot .223rem in a bolt action rifle at the bench, you can seat the bullet to give you the best ogive, for the best group and have no crimp. You can load short or long bullets and install a single shot load ramp
I do not crimp rounds when I target shoot with my bolt action rifles. I only size the neck with a bushing die.
I crimp rounds, I hunt with or feed thru an auto, lever or pump action rifle.
Find an NRA reloading class near you and take the course. They give a test.
PS: When, I elk or deer hunt and the weather turns bad I use my backup rifle sighted in with factory ammo. The factory ammo is crimped and sealed. It is a 1949 Winchester 1894 in 32 Winchester Special. The rifle was a gift from my Dad.
