Budget trimmer and how much crimp is consider "light"?

[Djstorm100]

I'm slowly getting in to the precision aspect of shooting and reloading. I use to reload straight wall on Dillon 650 but rifle is a different animal to me.

I need a budget trimmer that could hopefully trim/debur/chamfer. I was looking at the lyman trimmer and maybe RCBS Trimmate or something like it.

I've got a RCBS powder measure, so I just type in what I want and go.



I've been researching to crimp or not to crimp for a auto loader (AR-15 with 18inch SPR barrel). Seems like it is 50/50 split but I'm using 77 SMK (NON cannelures) and IMR 4064. Some say they use a light crimp, other say they use .004 neck tenison and call it good. My question is how to measure neck tension? If I crimp how can you measure if it is a light crimp?

 

[gunsnjeeps]

I don't crimp. Don't know my neck tension either. I full length size in a Redding die, finish prep, then seat to mag length.

Neck tension is the diameter of your case mouth before you seat a bullet. Example: bullet diameter is .224, neck measures .220 internal diameter, tension is .004.

 

[427Cobra]

First off trimming has almost nothing to do with group sizes, it's a safety step, so don't get your panties in wad over it, I used a Lee trimmer for years reloading 223 for my AR
Lee Case Trimmer Cutter Lock Stud
Lee Case Length Gage Shellholder 223 Remington
Followed by Rocket Deburr tool
L.E. Wilson Chamfer Deburring Tool 17 to 45 Cal
I used my Dewalt cordless drill as power

As for Crimping, I do it, it's a insurance step, if your going to crimp case length is critical for uniform crimping, classes too short won't get crimped, cases too long will get over crimped, in rifles the Lee Factory Crimp Die is the best(in pistols it's the worst)IMHO, I adjusted mine to crimp very little, I can't give a exact measurement because I only shoot range brass in my ARs, and at 100 my loads are sub MOA with 69SMKs

 

[itsa30wait]

I use the same thing as 427 cobra for my 308 a lot of my brass I nevered trimmed to length tell after they were fired 4 times didn't affect my group sized but started raising hell functioning in rifle

 

[Djstorm100]

Loaded 6 rounds. Fire one round only in the mag to see if the bolt would lock back and it did. Loaded 5 rounds and fired in rapid succession and everything function perfectly. The Lyman powder disperser works great!


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