crimping 223 hornady bullets with cannelure?

[timelinex]

So I just bought a big box of hornady 55gr bullets with cannelure. I plan on reloading these for my AR15 for regular blasting ammo.

I have no experience with cannelure or crimping... Am I required to crimp these to ensure they don't fall out? It seems like from my research, people are split 50/50 on whether they crimp ar15 blasting ammo. However, I couldn't find any threads in regards with what is required if bullet is already cannelured.

If so, what kind of die would you guys recommend for 223 ammo? I have read the lee factory crimp die works good.

 

[JGorski]

Re: crimping 223 hornady bullets with cannelure?

No, just seat them the normal way.

 

[George63]

Re: crimping 223 hornady bullets with cannelure?

have loaded many thousand horn 55 FMJ never crimped any

for speed/ease the best seating die IMO is the RCBS with the window - balancing the bullet on the neck for bulk loading is a PITA, especially those little bastards

 

[timelinex]

Re: crimping 223 hornady bullets with cannelure?

Ok thanks guys.

I already havea redding competition set.... Obviously a little overkill but it's what I got

 

[Rainier42]

Re: crimping 223 hornady bullets with cannelure?

For rifle reloads the only time I crimp is for my 30-30 ... where 1 cartridge is stacked behind the other. You should be good to go without crimping.

 

[dang472]

Re: crimping 223 hornady bullets with cannelure?

I crimp my 223 55gr-62gr blasting ammo. Nothing crazy but I use the Lee FCD and the results look pretty factory.

 

[gunnut223]

Re: crimping 223 hornady bullets with cannelure?

I crimp 223 if the bullet wiggles or seems like its going to fall out. .224 bullets with most all bullets are mass produced, very few bullets are the same.

 

[insight3b]

Re: crimping 223 hornady bullets with cannelure?

I've crimped and haven't crimped. When I have crimped I only slightly taper crimped for ammo designated for long term storage. Not much difference in accuracy

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: crimping 223 hornady bullets with cannelure?

The Lee FCD is probably the best IMO; it's less sensitive to case length.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I crimp 223 if the bullet wiggles or seems like its going to fall out</div></div>

Crimping is not a solution to neck tension problems.

 

[gunnut223]

Re: crimping 223 hornady bullets with cannelure?

Neck tension and measurements are correct. Every bullet isnt created as like their brother or sister, every now and then i get one that less round as others, hence wiggle and loose fitting. Crimping helps hold the bullet with the cannelure.

Out of 100 rounds, i might have 5 that wiggle. So its a very low percentage.

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: crimping 223 hornady bullets with cannelure?

Gun Nut,
That's pretty bad. Assuming ~3 tho neck tension, you shouldn't have any bullets that wouldn't seat tightly.

For the money, Hornady 55gr FMJ's have been great blasting fodder. Check them out; you should get better results.