to crimp or not to crimp?

[jdavionic]

Okay, I apologize...more newbee questions. I noticed on the bullets that I've received (for loading .223 rifle) that they don't have a crimp groove. They are jacketed HP bullets. I think I made mistake in ordering them and should have ordered bullets with a crimp groove. I also have some Berrys 9mm bullets coming which are jacketed with RN. I suspect they too will not have a crimp groove. The manual that I have says you can't crimp jacketed bullets unless they have a crimp groove.

For my AR, I think crimping is pretty important. For my 9mm, I think crimping is important too. So should I just chalk this up to experience, store these bullets, and buy the "right" ones with a crimp groove? Or can I still crimp using these bullets?

Thanks again! Hopefully my barrage of newbee questions helps others getting into reloading as well.

[ichy_trigger]

Originally Posted by jdavionic

Okay, I apologize...more newbee questions. I noticed on the bullets that I've received (for loading .223 rifle) that they don't have a crimp groove. They are jacketed HP bullets. I think I made mistake in ordering them and should have ordered bullets with a crimp groove. I also have some Berrys 9mm bullets coming which are jacketed with RN. I suspect they too will not have a crimp groove. The manual that I have says you can't crimp jacketed bullets unless they have a crimp groove.

For my AR, I think crimping is pretty important. For my 9mm, I think crimping is important too. So should I just chalk this up to experience, store these bullets, and buy the "right" ones with a crimp groove? Or can I still crimp using these bullets?

Thanks again! Hopefully my barrage of newbee questions helps others getting into reloading as well.

You can crimp both and should. The crimp groove allows for a more aggresive crimp for use in semi auto rifles. Be careful of bullet set back when shooting in your AR.
https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_ses...38762a8dfe1810

[CharlieHo]

While I pretty much agree with ichy_trigger, I don't have a crimping preference for my AR loads.

The 5.56 is such a light recoiling rifle, neck tension has never NOT been enough to prevent setback in an otherwise properly reloaded cartridge

If you do not currently have the means to crimp your .223 loads, pull your expander out of your sizing die and take .001-.002" off of its diameter to increase neck tension if you're worried about setback

You can crimp regardless of the presence of a cannelure or "crimp groove", just be cautious to not overcrimp.

[agalindo]

Originally Posted by CharlieHo

You can crimp regardless of the presence of a cannelure or "crimp groove", just be cautious to not overcrimp.

+1

[Mercmar]

Originally Posted by jdavionic

Okay, I apologize...more newbee questions. I noticed on the bullets that I've received (for loading .223 rifle) that they don't have a crimp groove. They are jacketed HP bullets. I think I made mistake in ordering them and should have ordered bullets with a crimp groove. I also have some Berrys 9mm bullets coming which are jacketed with RN. I suspect they too will not have a crimp groove. The manual that I have says you can't crimp jacketed bullets unless they have a crimp groove.

For my AR, I think crimping is pretty important. For my 9mm, I think crimping is important too. So should I just chalk this up to experience, store these bullets, and buy the "right" ones with a crimp groove? Or can I still crimp using these bullets?

Thanks again! Hopefully my barrage of newbee questions helps others getting into reloading as well.

Well, we were all novices once! Read that manual again. You shouldn't roll crimp unless a cannelure is present. You'll be taper crimping your 9mm bullets, and you certainly don't need a cannelure for taper crimping. You'll only need to taper crimp just enough to remove the bell. The 9mm doesn't depend on the crimp, but rather, neck tension, to prevent setback.

You also don't need to crimp for your AR. Most competitors don't crimp for their ARs. You'll find many excellent bullet designs for your AR, that aren't cannelured.

If you do insist on crimping, you might consider the Lee Factory Crimp Die, which doesn't require a cannelure for crimping.

[jdavionic]

Originally Posted by Mercmar

If you do insist on crimping, you might consider the Lee Factory Crimp Die, which doesn't require a cannelure for crimping.

The Lee Factory Crimp dies are the ones that I purchased.

Thanks & thanks to all for the help.

[Mercmar]

Originally Posted by jdavionic

The Lee Factory Crimp dies are the ones that I purchased.

Thanks & thanks to all for the help.

Hmmm, your use of the word, "dies" leads me to believe that you misunderstood my response. The Lee Factory Crimp Die is a specific die named "Lee Factory Crimp Die" that crimps only, using a collet. You may or may not have a Lee Factory Crimp Die in your die set.

[jdavionic]

Originally Posted by Mercmar

Hmmm, your use of the word, "dies" leads me to believe that you misunderstood my response. The Lee Factory Crimp Die is a specific die named "Lee Factory Crimp Die" that crimps only, using a collet. You may or may not have a Lee Factory Crimp Die in your die set.

Sorry for the confusion. I have one crimp die per caliber. My 9mm deluxe die set included a crimp die. The rifle die sets did not...so I had to buy them separately.