Crimp or not.

Have an SFAR308 and handload for it.
What's the consensus on crimping the case on the shank of the bullet and its effect on accuracy in the AR

Most will say, NO. For me, it's my preference to crimp. If full or burst fire it would be a definite YES. Also a cheap way to increase pressure to save powder.

Is it a necessity? No! But it probably won't hurt use a Lee Factory crimp die. They don't hurt your accuracy, and in some cases actually improve it.

If you want to delve into the LRH "Crimp" box, here's a link:

On gas guns i use Lee FCD for light crimp. Just insurance from battering bcg heaving bullet into chamber, works well for me. Still very good SD/ES but not with bolt guns.

maximini14 223 said:

Have an SFAR308 and handload for it.
What's the consensus on crimping the case on the shank of the bullet and its effect on accuracy in the AR

Click to expand...

Not necessary. I never even crimped my .460 Weatherby and few men ever shot more of those rounds. If the dies are a good fit and some are not, it won't be necessary.

Crimping when necessary is better suited to straight walled cases to eliminate the case rim catching up during feeding and even that is not common.

If the dies are good, the excuse for holding a bullet secure during recoil whilst in the magazine is a phony argument.

ncwg2boatguy said:

On gas guns i use Lee FCD for light crimp. Just insurance from battering bcg heaving bullet into chamber, works well for me. Still very good SD/ES but not with bolt guns.

Click to expand...

I do not crimp rifle bullets unless the projectile has a crimp groove. My only "gas gun" is a S&W M&P AR10—just my preference. So far, I haven't seen any reason to reconsider my opinion, but like I said, it's only my opinion, and that's about as worthwhile as a politician.

In an AR, crimp away, it hurts nothing and saves your bullets being hammered back into the case.
I ran everything crimped in semi-autos when we were allowed them. I had Colts in 223 & 308 and a Ruger mini 14 way back in the day shooting IPSC, also had a 12 gauge Spasz.

Cheers.

MagnumManiac said:

In an AR, crimp away, it hurts nothing and saves your bullets being hammered back into the case.
I ran everything crimped in semi-autos when we were allowed them. I had Colts in 223 & 308 and a Ruger mini 14 way back in the day shooting IPSC, also had a 12 gauge Spasz.

Cheers.

Click to expand...

Lee FCD on the way

Critter Picker said:

Is it a necessity? No! But it probably won't hurt use a Lee Factory crimp die. They don't hurt your accuracy, and in some cases actually improve it.

Click to expand...

This