Crimping hunting loads

[flattail]

I am new to reloading.  I have reloaded and fired a total of 20 rounds of 45-70 in my Handi rifle.  I have seen many posts on this forum that state that you do not need to crimp rounds being used in a single shot rifle.  Richard Lee says that is so, except if they are to be used for hunting, because hunting ammunition is subject to rough handling.  I have pushed hard against wood with uncrimped (full length resized) dummy rounds and it seems like it would take a lot of rough handling to move that bullet in or out in the case.  Any thoughts on this?

[gypsyman]

flattail, been reloading for over 30 years, here's my thought. Recoil is what mostly pulls the bullet forward out of the case. It might happen under hunting situations, but highly unlikely. You might try 5 loads crimped, and 5 with no crimp, just for accuracy. Your gun might shoot one better than the other. If it shoots the same,if it was me, I wouldn't crimp, just becase the brass would last longer without working the brass so much.-gypsyman

[Catfish]

If your useing good reloading practices there is no reason to crimp bullets in when useing a single shot rifle. Your accuracy is dependent on a consistant amount of bullet pull and not on the amount of bullet pull. Bench Rest shooters turn their case necks to get a more conststant bullet pull, they do not crimp in bullets. I do not crimp the .223 ammo I load for my AR and so far have had no trouble pulling bullets or setting them back in.

[Luckyducker]

I never crimp bullets in a bolt action or single shot rifle, but I always crimp pistol ammo.  Be warned though, if you crimp a rifle cartridge the pressure will increase.  I tried crimping some 22/250s because someone said it would increase accuracy.  Well, it didn't do anything for accuracy but it caused a blown primer.

[Val]

I never crimp my hunting rounds for bolt action rifles. If you properly size your brass you should never have a problem.

[flattail]

Well, that's it.  Crimping didn't get any votes at all.  Thank you a bunch for replying.

Flattail

[Bullseye]

If loading for a 45-70, even if you do not fully crimp the round don't you need to run the case far enough up into the crimping part of the die to eliminate the flare you put on the end of the case with the expander die?

[jgalar]

As Bullseye stated you have to crimp at least enough to remove the flare. I crimp every lead bullet load. There is crimping and then there is CRIMPING. Some people put the crimp of death on their cases. I crimp enough to close the flare plus a touch more. To each his own...

[Badnews Bob]

My single shot .45-70 shoots better with a crimp, Alot of it has to do with the powder you are useing, Some powders need the crimp to aid in proper burning of the powder. I believe it usally the slower burning types.

[flattail]

I don't think pressure should be a problem.  My loads right now are 405 gr Rem jacketed soft point using 33 gr IMR 4198, with an OAL of 2.580" using a light factory crimp.  I am not on a cannulure at this OAL.  This load is out of the Lyman 48th Edition as a starting trapdoor load.  I am planning to work up to 37 gr IMR 4198, which is a starting levergun load, and should give me close to 1500 fps. with a C.U.P of around 19,100.  This should be well within the safety limits of my Handi 45-70, no matter how hard I crimp.  Do you agree?

[goodconcretecolor]

I have to go against the crowd on this one. With my bolt action 30-06, my group size was cut in half by crimping with several different loads. Velocity increased slightly so pressure had to but no signs of excessive pressure. None of the loads were maximums. Try it both ways and your rifle will tell you what it likes.

[223Shooter]

With my .223 NEF, I do not crimp. Great accuracy. With my 03-A3 Springfield, I do crimp. I tried it both ways...a medium crimp is more accurate in my 30-06 Springfield using IMR 4064.

[millwright]

Just like any other change in loading, if you start crimping, reduce the powder charge and then work back up.  After any change,just good safe practice.

[jack19512]

Well, that's it.  Crimping didn't get any votes at all.  Thank you a bunch for replying.

Flattail

This was brought up in the past so my curiosity got the best of me so I loaded six rounds making sure everything was the same with all six rounds except the crimp, no crimp.

Three rounds were crimped and three rounds were not crimped.  Took them out and shot them.  The three rounds that were crimped had a slight edge in accuracy over the three rounds that were not crimped.

I have always crimped all of my rounds, crap does happen and for me crimping might save me some problems some day.  Best thing for you to do is try it for yourself and see what the results might be.

[superhornet]

And now, the rest of the story....I have ran extensive testing using the FCD on rifle ammunition...for the .223, 243, 30-30, 280, 270, 308, 30-06, 7x57, 8mmJS, 7.62x39 and the 45-70. In every case but one (308) the accuracy did increase. This was all tested using a variety of bullets for all the rifles mentioned including those bullets with cannalures and those without......My theory is that by crimping, the same pull weight is established on the bullet and a concentric  gas pressure created that is equal on each loaded cartridge of the same caliber and bullet make...During the testing the following bullets were used..Hornady, Speer, Sierra, CT, Nosler, Rem, Win, ...Powders, IMR 4198, 3031,4064,4895,4350,4320--Hodg Varget, H380, H335---ACC--2520-3100...Win 748,760,WMR,WXR.....Alliant--15-19----------The most average accurate bullets ??   Nosler BT, CT, Accubond, Hornady....and of course the SMK 150-168...