Green Bullet Report post Posted October 15, 2015 I am just getting into reloading. I save been watching videos and the guys on you tube don't crimp their rounds but the Lee die kit I got has a crimper. I am using the Berger 168 vld Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AverageJoe Report post Posted October 15, 2015 Don't crimp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted October 15, 2015 Don't crimp. UNLESS you have a bullet with a factory cannelure (the indented ring around the bullet for the crimp to hold into). Even then, I never do. Neck tension is plenty to hold a bullet securely in the case mouth, and improper crimping does more harm than good. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossislider Report post Posted October 15, 2015 I never crimp, not with my 7mm mag or any of my other rifles. I also use 168gr bergers for the 7mm mag. I used to do a slight crimp on my .223 AR-15 rounds as the bullets I was shooting had a cannelure as lancetkenyon suggested. But I quit as I noticed no difference in shooting. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Green Bullet Report post Posted October 15, 2015 Ok thanks for the info. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoss50 Report post Posted October 15, 2015 The only rifle I crimp in my 45-70 because they have the cannelure and the recoil is pretty nasty on that little gun. I would hate to have a round pull apart or jam in the tube. I doubt it ever would but it isn't worth finding out the hard way. I used to crimp rifle rounds before I knew better, and it isn't hard to over crimp and distort a shoulder on the case and ruin a round. Magnum handgun rounds like .44 mag and heavy .45LC I do crimp though, just not super heavily. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wayno945 Report post Posted October 15, 2015 Crimping is more important when reloading handgun rounds or for lever action rifles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
