Author Topic: crimp 375 H&H Y/N?  (Read 942 times)

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Offline CIG

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crimp 375 H&H Y/N?
« on: May 14, 2010, 08:31:39 AM »
I'm trying to increase accuracy on my 375H&H.  Was full-length sizing and crimping in the bullet groove.  Accuracy is about 4 inches.  Now since the cases are all fire formed to the chamber I was planning on neck sizing only.  I was wondering about seating the bullet out to .05 off the lands and then whether to crimp or not.  It will not be in the crimp groove on the bullet.  I have a lee crimp die.  Thoughts?  Neck size and seat to bullet groove with a crimp,  Neck and seat off lands and no crimp or neck and seat off lands and crimp?  Thanks.

Offline Bigeasy

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Re: crimp 375 H&H Y/N?
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2010, 08:52:10 AM »
CIG-  Neck sizing only will increase your brass life, but may make for more difficult chambering - not good if the rifle is going to be used for dangerous game, but not really and issue for practice / bench loads.  For hunting loads, in a heavy recoiling cartridge like a .375 H&H, I would crimp to minimize the chance of bullet movement in the magazine from recoil; again, not an issue with bench / practice loads.  Each rifle is a law un to its self when it comes to handloads.  I have found that seating close to the lands generally results in an accuracy improvement, and that a tight neck / bullet fit is generally preferable to trying to crimp outside of the bullets crimping grove. The best way to determine what shoots well in your rifle is to experiment with bullet seating depth, bullet make and weight, primer and powder selection, crimping, etc.  From what I have seen, bullet weight and velocity seem to have the biggest single effect in the accuracy of a load in a particular rifle, with other changes more like fine tuning (But not always..)  Any quality .375 should do better then 4 inches at 100 yards.  Recoil should also be considered - its a lot easier to get good groups with a .223 then a .375...  Reduced velocity practice loads make a heavy recoiling rifle a lot more fun. 

Larry
Personal opinion is a good thing, and everyone is entitled to one.  The hard part is separating informed opinion from someone who is just blowing hot air....

Offline KansasPaul

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Re: crimp 375 H&H Y/N?
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2010, 05:19:04 PM »
This is an interesting topic - I have no experience with the 375 H&H caliber but the topic of neck sizing only is what caught my attention.  I've been a hand loader for about 3 years now and I am always learning something new especially from this site.  Anyway, not to digress, I have had a recent experience where I was seeing vertical stringing of bullets (this is in a .223).  This was driving me absolutely crazy.  I had been neck sizing brass only and I was sure that my loads would have been much more accurate.  After pulling my hair for several hours I decided to full length size my cases.  When I did, the vertical stringing scenario went away and bullets grouped much better.  I also noticed an improvement with a light crimp versus no crimp. 

Paul


Offline Grumulkin

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Re: crimp 375 H&H Y/N?
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2010, 06:56:29 PM »
The group was shot with full length sized cases with bullets seated to the cannelure and crimped out of an Encore handgun.  I usually don't crimp for cartridges to be shot in Encores but these cartridges also are shot out of a magazine in a rifle.  Crimping hardly ever improves accuracy; it's main function is to keep bullets from moving under recoil.

I've also encountered firearms that do better with full length sized cases rather than cases resized with a Lee Collet die.

Offline CIG

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Re: crimp 375 H&H Y/N?
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2010, 12:24:40 PM »
I guess I'll try neck sizing and see that they function smoothly through the action.  If not, then I'll partial full-length size.  This shoulder really gets pushed back with full-length sizing.  I think I will seat bullets into the groove and crimp.  See what that gets me.  If that fails to get at least two inch groups, then I'm pushing it off the the lands .05 and crimp it there or not.   Still thinking about this part.  Hope I don't have to decide.  Thanks.