Question on .223 reloading: seperate crimp die or not?

[HermanH]

So far, I've been using up Sierra btjhp but they do not have cannerlures. I'm going to switch to the Hornandy 55 which have cannerlures and I noted some have commented on putting a 'heavy' crimp.

While the RCBS seating die can do this, I've always wondered if it was better to do the crimp as a separate step or will the built-in crimp be sufficient??? I've never really researched this so I'm hoping more experienced people can chime in on the pros and cons of using a separate crimp die.

Thanks in advance for your pearls of wisdom.

[gau17]

Get the Lee FCD. In my opinion is the best way to put a crimp. Only apply a very small amount..

[Ahhnother8]

Or....don't crimp at all. It is not needed.

[rsrocket1]

Why crimp?

Here's a (rhetorical) question for you:
If you've been loading and shooting non-crimped rounds successfully in the past, why do you want to crimp now?

Crimp is used to keep the bullet from moving in the case due to:

1. rough handling in ammo boxes like the conditions done in the miliary who may transport stuff for years before being shot
2. bullet set back when being fed into the chamber (something is wrong with the gun if that is happening)
3. set back in the magazine while shooting (not enough neck tension)
4. being used in a revolver or tube fed gun (not likely in .223)

Neck tension is enough to keep the bullet there under normal circumstances, no need to crimp .223

[Paper Boy]

Or....don't crimp at all. It is not needed.

This, I dont crimp my 223 and have never had an issue

[troysland]

Yup, full lenght resizing gives the neck plenty of tension so crimps aren't necessary. I never do, plus cannelures do help when you eyeball overall length. Regardless, I check every finished round with calipers.

[TwinStick]

I don't crimp either.

[russt]

Keep in mind if you use a seating die to crimp 223 or other bottlenecked rifle cases if brass is not all exactly same length be ready for some crushed shoulders. If brass isn't all trimmed to same length I would use the lee FCD or not crimp at all. Either way will work fine.

[HermanH]

Thanks for the input. I just made this mental thought that if a bullet has a cannelure, the intent of it was for a good solid crimp.

Yes, I've experienced the crushed shoulder issue before!

I went over my Speer Reloading book again for some clarification and it only recommended a crimp "IF" a rifle manufacturer recommends using crimped ammunition, which the Colt doesn't seem to care about so I guess I'm good to go.

[HermanH]

Thanks for the input. I just made this mental thought that if a bullet has a cannelure, the intent of it was for a good solid crimp.

Yes, I've experienced the crushed shoulder issue before!

I went over my Speer Reloading book again for some clarification and it only recommended a crimp "IF" a rifle manufacturer recommends using crimped ammunition, which the Colt doesn't seem to care about so I guess I'm good to go.

[kurac]

I use the Lee FCD on bullets with cannelures only because my RCBS competition die does not have a crimp function built into it. The good news is you never get crushed shoulders with the Lee FCD

[the led farmer]

OP your question is should you crimp in a seperate station and the answer is yes, if you choose to crimp a seperate station is preferred.

[huckberry668]

I bought a 223 Lee FCD trying to see if i can squeeze more accuracy. Completely fruitless and in match grade bullet's case, opposite is true. Don't crimp cannelure or not.

[ExtremeX]

I crimp in a separate station.
I use the Lee FCD and apply a light crimp.

I’m still testing with / without crimp to see what I like the best...

[noylj]

If you feel you must crimp, I would do it separately.
Remember, the bullet is still being seated while the crimp is forming.
Shooting jacketed bullets, I have never found a need to flare/bell the case mouth for any of my bottleneck cartridges, nor do any of them have so much recoil that a crimp has ever been needed.
Crimping just isn't needed for .223 sporting rounds. This is really a "need" for military or SHTF types of scenarios where you give up some accuracy or some increase in reliability.