Neck crimping

[buckeye hunter]

What are the pro's and con's of crimping the bullet in a 30-06 load that will be shot in a bolt action gun?

[ricciardelli]

It just isn't necessary...

[The Shrink]

Not only is it unnecessary, it adds a variable that can introduce variation in your loads, not a good thing.  Neck crimping in necessary to hold the bullet in place when the round is introduced into a tubular magazine and, in some BPCR like the 45-70 with light bullets, to hold the bullet in place while the charge ignites.  The 405gr bullet appears to be started into the barrel by the primer impulse, crimping it keeps it in place until the charge ignites - a matter of microseconds, perhaps, but apparently important.

I've never neck crimped for a bolt gun.

[Kragman71]

Buckeye,

The only reason that you MIGHT want to crimp a bullet in a bolt gun is when you are using soft alloy for the bullet.
A soft bullet may be mutilated by forcing it into a tight case neck.
An alternate choice is to use a larger neck sizer and hold it in place with a light crimp.
The only time that I know that this would be considered is when you are making hunting ammunition.
Frank

[buckeye hunter]

I am planning to load my 30-06 for hunting purposes.  I am looking to work up the best load possible for my gun, but I am not looking specifically to have sub moa groups.  With that said....If I full length size my cases (with RCBS dies) without neck crimping will I have the best opportunity to have the most consistent accuracy out of my handloads?

[Kragman71]

Buckeye,
Personally,I full length size all of my hunting ammunition. Although my Springfield Krag has handled all of the neck sized ammo that I put in it over the years,I like the "insurance"that the full length sizing gives me.
That's the nature of bolt guns;you could hunt a Lifetime,and never have a problem with chambering a neck sized cartridge.
Necksizing,for most of us,is primarily done because it is much less work then full length sizing. The accuracy advantage of neck sizing is not always as great as some would have you believe. For example,there is absolutely no advantage in my 30/30 levergun.
Frank