Why I Crimp

I made a trip to the range to shake the dust off a few rifles and check again for rifles shot not using fcd and those that do.
Results: One 30-06 shot a group anyone could be proud of w/o fcd and the other shot a 1/2 inch group.Previous targets show a benefit of fcd.
45-70 all targets show a benefit of fcd and zero bullet set back.
300 Weatherby mag with .003 neck tension shot a reasonable group but I can do better and I will use fcd and compare targets but one problem was the sharpie ring on a round in the magazine was gone so bullet set-back happened,not alot but some.
That was with R P Brass.I have new Norma/Weatherby brass I will test next trip out.One without fcd just .003 neck tension to see if neck tension by itself can stop bullet set-back.
I'll test a few other rifles soon
I had a fcd before I joined this forum but Butterbean and a few others schooled me on proper use of fcd and I thank all you guys.
Old Rooster
 
So I did some testing and these were the results, I ran the FCD down until I could no longer wiggle the bullet at the highest point prior to cam over.

1/8 = <5
1/4 = 11
3/8 = 14
1/2 = 21
5/8 = 24
3/4 = 29

I stopped at 3/4 because of how hard it was crimping the bullet as shown below, the left is 1/4 turn while the right is 3/4 turn.
3D35D499-C969-4E5B-9F4B-9EE1C1339F14.jpeg


I repeated the test with some Lehigh Defense controlled chaos bullets which are solid copper and the results were a bit different. The first one matched the 1/4 turn with jacketed, the 1/2 turn went to 29 and the third one at 1/2 turn went to 35.
 
CMP70306 said:
So I did some testing and these were the results, I ran the FCD down until I could no longer wiggle the bullet at the highest point prior to cam over.

1/8 = <5
1/4 = 11
3/8 = 14
1/2 = 21
5/8 = 24
3/4 = 29

I stopped at 3/4 because of how hard it was crimping the bullet as shown below, the left is 1/4 turn while the right is 3/4 turn.
View attachment 279232

I repeated the test with some Lehigh Defense controlled chaos bullets which are solid copper and the results were a bit different. The first one matched the 1/4 turn with jacketed, the 1/2 turn went to 29 and the third one at 1/2 turn went to 35.
Click to expand...
What are you trying to show here ?
 
D3240467-D3F6-489C-BF47-9EA920C8170E.jpeg

Here is a better picture, that is a 147gr ELD-M on the right and 3/4 turn on the FCD is enough to add a cannelure. The one on the left is a Berger 153.5gr Hybrid with 1/4 turn on the FCD and shows a very slight mark but no indentation on the bullet.
 
Mine will not shoot well with that much pressure.I bet it will not move rearward for bullet set back though.
ButterBean and some others schooled me a few years ago about exerting a small amount of pressure,shoot a group and exert a little bit more and shot another group and at some point my groups opened up with too much grip.I just went back to the last great group and marked my fcd to locknut and it has stayed there for my 300weatherby mag,same with my 300 win mags.
I wish Lee had hash marks on the die and lock ring to allow us to see where we are and never go beyond our best group setting,I just use a sharpie and a friend used white out.
I tested one of my loads for 300 win mag and with a knetic hammer I could not move it until about 20 hard beats on the concrete floor and has never moved under recoil and never had as much pressure as you do but if you shoot super groups then go with it.
 
ButterBean said:
The 124HH had me really puzzled for a bit but once I figured out what was going on the Lee Collet Die and the Lee FCD brought the whole package together (The crimp die made the most gains), I'm still really amazed at the gains we made with the 124 just by crimping, I seriously think there is some more left in it yet, I just got a fresh box of 124's so I'm gonna give it a go, if not I am still thrilled with what I have now
Click to expand...
Butter bean, I have been following your thread and now am a believer!
Sorry it's sideways. This rifle has been a picky SOB and it has two hundred rounds in it trying to find a load that works.
I bought some Hammer Hunter 124 grain.
I did a velocity ladder, dropped one grain from pressure and this is the result.
Very happy and thank you!


A6D7DE55-C4C7-4AEC-9BD7-9CFF76EA4C2A.jpeg
 
NW Hunter said:
Butter bean, I have been following your thread and now am a believer!
Sorry it's sideways. This rifle has been a picky SOB and it has two hundred rounds in it trying to find a load that works.
I bought some Hammer Hunter 124 grain.
I did a velocity ladder, dropped one grain from pressure and this is the result.
Very happy and thank you!


View attachment 281291
Click to expand...
Just glad to still be of some service
 
NW Hunter said:
Butter bean, I have been following your thread and now am a believer!
Sorry it's sideways. This rifle has been a picky SOB and it has two hundred rounds in it trying to find a load that works.
I bought some Hammer Hunter 124 grain.
I did a velocity ladder, dropped one grain from pressure and this is the result.
Very happy and thank you!


View attachment 281291
Click to expand...
Astonishing how a minor change can turn a load from just so so to a WOW one. There are so many variables to try, and some make it better, worse, same, inconsistent, etc. That is why this hobby is so addicting. Always something to learn, and always something to try. I know right now you are thinking about another rifle you have and thinking, "What if?"
 
NW Hunter said:
Butter bean, I have been following your thread and now am a believer!
Sorry it's sideways. This rifle has been a picky SOB and it has two hundred rounds in it trying to find a load that works.
I bought some Hammer Hunter 124 grain.
I did a velocity ladder, dropped one grain from pressure and this is the result.
Very happy and thank you!


View attachment 281291
Click to expand...
Nice use of masking tape.
 
CMP70306 said:
So I did some testing and these were the results, I ran the FCD down until I could no longer wiggle the bullet at the highest point prior to cam over.

1/8 = <5
1/4 = 11
3/8 = 14
1/2 = 21
5/8 = 24
3/4 = 29

I stopped at 3/4 because of how hard it was crimping the bullet as shown below, the left is 1/4 turn while the right is 3/4 turn.
View attachment 279232

I repeated the test with some Lehigh Defense controlled chaos bullets which are solid copper and the results were a bit different. The first one matched the 1/4 turn with jacketed, the 1/2 turn went to 29 and the third one at 1/2 turn went to 35.
Click to expand...
Do you ever have any issue collapsing the case shoulder/s trying to put that much crimp on?
 

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