Crimp .308 loads for semi-auto?

[redwood]

I have been loading .308 for my bolt rifles without crimping, no problems. I just started loading for my .308 FAL. Some have recommended crimping because of the possibility of rounds getting knocked around in the mag causing smaller OAL.

Your Opinions?

[30Cal]

Measure, chamber, then measure. They shouldn't change by more than say 0.005". 15K rds through AR, M1, M1A--not a single one has been crimped.

[oso grande]

I had Bullets back out

of my Mini14.
OAL got so long that the rounds stuck in the mag. Military ammo is crimped.
IMO...crimp.
OG

[bmitch300wby]

I crimp for my AR-10. I prefer the factory crimp die from Lee. works great and in-expensive.

[Jpach]

+1 on that! Very strong and consistant crimps from the Lee factory crimp die. I use it for my .308-AR as well

[Citadelgrad87]

I have a lee factory crimp die that works well.

That said, my HK SR9T does not get a crimped diet. No problems, even with 20 rounds in the mags.

[odysseus]

Other than a step to save a little time, what would be the advantage of not crimping?

It is preferable to crimp, especially for an autoloader...

[jandmtv]

Other than a step to save a little time, what would be the advantage of not crimping?

It is preferable to crimp, especially for an autoloader...

If the bullets have a cannalure, I would crimp.

[redwood]

O.K. sounds like I should crimp. Now my question is can I crimp the loads I have already seated bullets on? Is the crimp die also a seating die?

[Sunwolf]

The Lee

crimp die is used after bullet seating so you can still crimp later.

[rayra]

You can crimp your already-completed rounds, provided the cannalure lines up with the case mouth.

And if the die is a combo seat and crimp, just dial out the center portion so it doesn't apply any seating pressure and adjust the die body so the crimp is applied to desire.

And I crimp everything I feed through my Garand. And my Mini-14 - too much variation and repeated use of my .223 brass not to.

[30Cal]

of my Mini14.
OAL got so long that the rounds stuck in the mag. Military ammo is crimped.
IMO...crimp.
OG

If they're moving in a mini14, then you've got inadequate neck tension (the expander ball on your sizing die is too big).

The .mil ammo has a requirement to support 60lbs of weight on the bullet. I'm not sure where they got that number; maybe for when they drop it from airplanes.

[redwood]

Is there a difference between lee crimp die & Lee factory crimp die?

[Rule .308]

The difference was explained to me as the crimp die is a simple taper crimp and the factory crimp is a collet style crimp. Take a look at their website, they have a pretty decent picture of the collet style crimp die it the crimp die section.

[Beelzy]

The collet crimp dies IMO is almost too much crimp. Unless you are shooting
double rifle loads like the 375 H&H mag.