223 Crimp Dies

[kmr007]

I just finished setting up my Dillon 550B with a Hornady Case Activated Powder Measure for my rifle round, 223 REM. Previously my setup was a Lee Classic Turret Press. The dies I use is the Lee 3 die setup w/FCD. When I loaded the rounds and came to the station of crimping, I would crimp once then rotate the completed round and crimp again (using Hornady 55gr FMJBT w/cannelure). The reason for this is because of Lee's design. See picture below:



The crimp is not a full circular design but instead a circular design with cuts. If I did not rotate the case then it would leave those four grooves visible, thus not creating a uniform crimp on the case. Now that I use a different setup/press I would have to do the same thing. This results in a slower production rate (not that big of a deal) but I would like to know if either the Redding 223 Crimp Die or Dillon 223 Crimp die is designed the same way. With a semi circular design w/cuts or slits.

[varanidguy]

I use the Lee FCD as well and haven't had any issues with only crimping once. Pressure signs seem very consistent and I get very consistent velocities out of the rounds with the same charge and bullet. Personally, I wouldn't look too much into it.

[highpower790]

Consider not crimping!Just because a bullet has a cannelure doesn't mean one has to crimp.Only a couple thou of neck tension is needed.Just my opinion,I don't crimp and shoot competition.

[kmr007]

I use the Lee FCD as well and haven't had any issues with only crimping once. Pressure signs seem very consistent and I get very consistent velocities out of the rounds with the same charge and bullet. Personally, I wouldn't look too much into it.

So accuracy has not affected your loads? I just did it because I wanted a more uniform crimp and never tried to just crimp once and run with it. I will try this time around.

[baih777]

If you want to crimp, get the RCBS taper crimp die. Do a light crimp.

[varanidguy]

So accuracy has not affected your loads? I just did it because I wanted a more uniform crimp and never tried to just crimp once and run with it. I will try this time around.

No, accuracy wasn't affected. Everything is very consistent with the cartridges.

[varanidguy]

And I do just a light crimp too, nothing extreme.

[phdo]

No, accuracy wasn't affected. Everything is very consistent with the cartridges.

I also use the Lee FCD and I also crimp only once. It has no effect on accuracy thus far.

[Fordtrucks]

I use a lee fcd and I never crimp hard enough to notice the rises or dips from where the die touches. U just need a slight crimp.
And as long as I trim all my cases the same and use the same pressure on the press, I don't notice any variance in accuracy at all.

[milotrain]

I love the FCD for pistol rounds. I don't crimp 223. Beyond bullet selection and powder charge the largest variable that effects 223 accuracy will be neck tension, especially for the heavier long range bullets. Crimping 223 just adds another neck tension variable. I know some good shooters who crimp because they believe it "overrides" neck tension and gives them consistency but I know MANY more good shooters who do not crimp 223. It is unlikely that such hair splitting is necessary unless you are trying to get a ~1/2MOA 223 load working, but if you can't crimp during your present process I wouldn't be concerned about it.

The exception to this is if you are actually experiencing bullet set back and/or want to make a boatload of ammo that you seal up for the end of the world. Then I'd bother crimping and sealing both the bullet and primer.

[bigbossman]

You're doing an extra step for no reason. Adjust the die per Lee instructions, and crimp only once. You will get a uniform and consistent crimp, "grooves" visible or not. If you're crimping hard enough to get ridges, you're probably deforming your bullet.

[varanidguy]

I love the FCD for pistol rounds. I don't crimp 223. Beyond bullet selection and powder charge the largest variable that effects 223 accuracy will be neck tension, especially for the heavier long range bullets. Crimping 223 just adds another neck tension variable. I know some good shooters who crimp because they believe it "overrides" neck tension and gives them consistency but I know MANY more good shooters who do not crimp 223. It is unlikely that such hair splitting is necessary unless you are trying to get a ~1/2MOA 223 load working, but if you can't crimp during your present process I wouldn't be concerned about it.

The exception to this is if you are actually experiencing bullet set back and/or want to make a boatload of ammo that you seal up for the end of the world. Then I'd bother crimping and sealing both the bullet and primer.

What I do is make a dud, that is a shell that is sized, trimmed, etc, put a bullet in there with no powder or primer, then I turn the "cartridge" over and push down on the bullet holding the shell. If the bullet doesn't move, then that's enough for me. At least that is how I've been doing it.

[milotrain]

That seems like a lot of crimp. I'd at least try it without a crimp and see if your groups tighten up. If not then keep shooting a crimp, until you feel like your ammo is holding you back, then try the experiment again.

[OpenSightsOnly]

What I do is make a dud, that is a shell that is sized, trimmed, etc, put a bullet in there with no powder or primer, then I turn the "cartridge" over and push down on the bullet holding the shell. If the bullet doesn't move, then that's enough for me. At least that is how I've been doing it.

The FL dies for 223, regardless of brand, are designed to handle commercial and milspec brass, and that also takes into account the neck tension needed for safe and reliable function in a gas or bolt gun.

Forsters die offers a service where you can have your die honed so that you can have a specified neck tension for your application. It's similar to a bushing die.

Gotta tell ya, I snapped the neck of an RCBS impact puller for trying to pull a 77 gr bullet from the case.

Now, I use the Hornady puller

BTW, I seat my 77SMK with an OAL under 2.25" and I haven't had an issue with bullet setback due to neck tension, mag fed gas gun.

[varanidguy]

The FL dies for 223, regardless of brand, are designed to handle commercial and milspec brass, and that also takes into account the neck tension needed for safe and reliable function in a gas or bolt gun.

Forsters die offers a service where you can have your die honed so that you can have a specified neck tension for your application. It's similar to a bushing die.

Gotta tell ya, I snapped the neck of an RCBS impact puller for trying to pull a 77 gr bullet from the case.

Now, I use the Hornady puller

BTW, I seat my 77SMK with an OAL under 2.25" and I haven't had an issue with bullet setback due to neck tension, mag fed gas gun.

My last .223 loads were 68 grain Hornady match and 69 grain Sierra Match Kings, and I kept them all right around the max 2.260" (+- .005) and they also all operated flawlessly out of my AR-15.