How much to crimp 223 and how to "measure" crimping

[LostInTranslation]

I've read, watched, and have been told to crimp 223 lightly. Is there a way to "quantify" what lightly is and what it is not?

Feels with reloading being such a precise process - quantifying/measuring every step is in order (though perhaps not for my intended 223 use - general range).

Thank you

 

[Matches Malone]

Umm whoever told you to crimp must assume you are shooting it out of a AR...and assume that the bolt cycling is so violent that it’s pushing your bullets into the case. Because neck tension alone can work fine.

Just get a Lee FCD. It’s easy to use and you won’t have to worry so much about how much crimp or whatever. If you want to get into the weeds, if using a bullet with a cannulure, you would typically roll crimp it. Without a cannelure, you would taper crimp it.

People will sometimes do the lightest crimp they can as to not deform the bullet. Sometimes they mean they just barely kiss the case with a taper crimp. Having to much taper in your crimp if you’re a newb can lead to pressure spikes.

 

[Supersubes]

If this is for a bolt action, don’t crimp. If you don’t have cannelures on your bullets, regardless of firearm type, dont crimp.