I haven't range tested my loads with the Lee factory crimp die yet. I did work some up for my 300 wsm and .308 RRA Lar 8 using a modest amount of crimp with the Lee die. Has anyone used this die, and if so, have you found any enhanced accuracy with it?
- Thread starter jjseman
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Re: Lee factory crimping die experiences
I have, and not really. It has a place, but I don't think better accuracy is a reasonable demand. I used it with .308, .223, and .30-'06.
I would use it with semiautos, when and if I had solid evidence of bullet setback in the magazine. Beyond that, it's not needed.
I tried and tried to demonstrate an accuracy benefit from it, but never found anything that constituted convincing evidence.
If you overdo the crimp depth, you're at least as likely to hurt accuracy as anything positive you could do by using it correctly. Using it correctly takes a lot less crimp than most folks might think. If it's needed at all, something is better than nothing, and it doesn't take much to make it worse than nothing.
Greg
I have, and not really. It has a place, but I don't think better accuracy is a reasonable demand. I used it with .308, .223, and .30-'06.
I would use it with semiautos, when and if I had solid evidence of bullet setback in the magazine. Beyond that, it's not needed.
I tried and tried to demonstrate an accuracy benefit from it, but never found anything that constituted convincing evidence.
If you overdo the crimp depth, you're at least as likely to hurt accuracy as anything positive you could do by using it correctly. Using it correctly takes a lot less crimp than most folks might think. If it's needed at all, something is better than nothing, and it doesn't take much to make it worse than nothing.
Greg
Re: Lee factory crimping die experiences
I tried one out that came with a die set and recommend you do not use it.
Consistent neck tension from a standard reloading die creates all the accuracy and bullet holding power you need in the rifles mentioned.
In terms of bullet holding power I have African cartridges that produce near 10,000ftlbs of muzzle energy and I don't need to crimp most of those. Oddly enough when you do start crimping the crimp itself can mess with and drastically reduce bullet/neck tension.
I tried one out that came with a die set and recommend you do not use it.
Consistent neck tension from a standard reloading die creates all the accuracy and bullet holding power you need in the rifles mentioned.
In terms of bullet holding power I have African cartridges that produce near 10,000ftlbs of muzzle energy and I don't need to crimp most of those. Oddly enough when you do start crimping the crimp itself can mess with and drastically reduce bullet/neck tension.
Re: Lee factory crimping die experiences
those dies have a place and it is only for semiauto pistol and rifle cartridge while using mixed brass, the die reduces the variations of the dif case thickness and do increase accuracy a bit, although marginally.
if you want best accuracy in your match rifles, do not use it.
those dies have a place and it is only for semiauto pistol and rifle cartridge while using mixed brass, the die reduces the variations of the dif case thickness and do increase accuracy a bit, although marginally.
if you want best accuracy in your match rifles, do not use it.
Re: Lee factory crimping die experiences
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: attherange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">those dies have a place and it is only for semiauto pistol and rifle cartridge while using mixed brass, the die reduces the variations of the dif case thickness and do increase accuracy a bit, although marginally.
if you want best accuracy in your match rifles, do not use it.</div></div>
This...spot on.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: attherange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">those dies have a place and it is only for semiauto pistol and rifle cartridge while using mixed brass, the die reduces the variations of the dif case thickness and do increase accuracy a bit, although marginally.
if you want best accuracy in your match rifles, do not use it.</div></div>
This...spot on.
Re: Lee factory crimping die experiences
I have one, have never overcrimped a round, and typically just put a light crimp on each round as I'm loading primarily for hunting only and i wanted the added insurance of having a bit more grip on the bullets. The nicks and dings on my lead tips will cause more inaccuracy in my case than the light crimp.
that said, i've tested with and wihtout the crimp...no discernable difference that I can tell at the ranges i have tested at (out to 300) and i have not had the opportunity to test velocity.
I have one, have never overcrimped a round, and typically just put a light crimp on each round as I'm loading primarily for hunting only and i wanted the added insurance of having a bit more grip on the bullets. The nicks and dings on my lead tips will cause more inaccuracy in my case than the light crimp.
that said, i've tested with and wihtout the crimp...no discernable difference that I can tell at the ranges i have tested at (out to 300) and i have not had the opportunity to test velocity.
Re: Lee factory crimping die experiences
Very useful with hard recoiling pistol cartridges with heavy bullets that tend to "jump the crimp". Otherwise as reported above.
Very useful with hard recoiling pistol cartridges with heavy bullets that tend to "jump the crimp". Otherwise as reported above.
Re: Lee factory crimping die experiences
I've used them on .223 and .308 loads I make up from milsurp components (bullets and powder) with (st)range brass just to make up "blasting ammo." They work better than the concentric crimpers in Dillon die sets to ensure the mouth of the cartridge gets inside the cannelure like commercial ammo.
The Lee factory crimper uses something like a collet with the end split into fourths. The crimping comes out very close to factory loads and I think it's worth having on the bench.
I have to admit I've used one for .375 H&H loads for a safari rifle to keep the rounds in the magazine from "setting back" during recoil. Setback can be really bad, increasing pressures drastically. It works for that purpose but I haven't noticed any accuracy improvement one way or the other.
I've used them on .223 and .308 loads I make up from milsurp components (bullets and powder) with (st)range brass just to make up "blasting ammo." They work better than the concentric crimpers in Dillon die sets to ensure the mouth of the cartridge gets inside the cannelure like commercial ammo.
The Lee factory crimper uses something like a collet with the end split into fourths. The crimping comes out very close to factory loads and I think it's worth having on the bench.
I have to admit I've used one for .375 H&H loads for a safari rifle to keep the rounds in the magazine from "setting back" during recoil. Setback can be really bad, increasing pressures drastically. It works for that purpose but I haven't noticed any accuracy improvement one way or the other.
Re: Lee factory crimping die experiences
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johnseman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I haven't range tested my loads with the Lee factory crimp die yet. I did work some up for my 300 wsm and .308 RRA Lar 8 using a modest amount of crimp with the Lee die. Has anyone used this die, and if so, have you found any enhanced accuracy with it? </div></div>
Have one in 7RM, used it once and haven't used it since. If I'm going to crimp, which I rarely do, I like to use a taper crimp for 'evenness'.
Chris
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johnseman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I haven't range tested my loads with the Lee factory crimp die yet. I did work some up for my 300 wsm and .308 RRA Lar 8 using a modest amount of crimp with the Lee die. Has anyone used this die, and if so, have you found any enhanced accuracy with it? </div></div>
Have one in 7RM, used it once and haven't used it since. If I'm going to crimp, which I rarely do, I like to use a taper crimp for 'evenness'.
Chris
Re: Lee factory crimping die experiences
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: former naval person</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very useful with hard recoiling pistol cartridges with heavy bullets that tend to "jump the crimp". </div></div>
Your best friend on a major caliber wheel gun.
No experience with a rifle cartridge to know
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: former naval person</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very useful with hard recoiling pistol cartridges with heavy bullets that tend to "jump the crimp". </div></div>
Your best friend on a major caliber wheel gun.
No experience with a rifle cartridge to know
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