How much Crimp is enough?

[jbdesigns]

I follow this practice. My neck expanding ball has been reduced in diameter by about .002". It is also polished. This increases the neck tension on the bullet. I don't crimp.

I don't think the actual crimp damages the bullet negatively. But can you be sure each crimp you do is exactly the same? My thought would be any variation on the crimp will affect pressure and with that, velocity. Maybe not?? Testing would be needed.

I just it simple without the crimp, ymmv


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[markm]

I removed my crimp for a small batch of test ammo. My group sizes more than doubled. IIRC, I was getting like 1.5 to 1.75 MOA without the crimp. I honestly didn't expect to see any difference, but it killed my accuracy.

Reducing the expander ball is a good idea. Those things are horrible for rifle ammo. Neck runout, case stretching, etc. Taking a few thowie off seems like it'd lessen case damage. I run a separate neck expander die that sizes the neck on the down stroke. Much less neck stretch/damage/runout.