Bobs' 223 Bulk Bullets - Crimp tests

[@buffalosoutdoors]

I love these tests you do. I've learned a lot from watching your channel and it's saved me a lot of time and money. Thanks for what you do.

[@dillrepair]

yeah, came to say this. lately when i'm reloading and thinking of something its usually a combo of a bunch of forum and reloading book reading finished with a "what about johnny?, what does he say". so with great power comes great resonsibility... we're counting on you johnny boy.

[@georgetimm8203]

A person can spend several weeks on the range playing ballistic research scientist. This video confirms similar I have done. Great work.

[@dmo7815]

? Why not load to mag , 2.250 . Length,,, measured my Armulite chamber + .050 jump . 75 gn bullet ,yes ,,sized , trimmed,, annelled , wire brushed the inside neck , tight neck tension all most crushing the shoulder when feeding the bullet then slight crimp with the seater die ( as much as I can before crushing the neck ). Still the bullet moves ! No cantilevers on the bullets.

[@PlugNuster]

I really expected to see more deviation from NO crimp to the extreme X-Heavy crimp. Even the pressures didn't pick up as much as I thought they would have. Excellent video buddy.

[@chriskristopherson7739]

Just started reloading and your videos are the best I could find!! You don't talk too fast and you dont talk to slow. Your precise and concise. Keep making them

[@lincolnparker5802]

He’s videos are really helpful to me. Haven’t seen many do so much,or so many with my rifle rounds.

[@claywynn4507]

Proper cannelure dimensions are required for the 5.56 roll crimp to work effectively. "Ghost Crimp" first offered by Sierra was rejected in favor of the Nosler 77 gr OTM cannelure on the Black Hills Mark 262 Mod 1, until Sierra came around to making a fully developed cannelure. You can see the waffle impression on the soft case mouth from the bullet cannelure on fired federal XM193 military cases. I think the extra grip between bullet and case used by the military was for added insurance against poor neck tension and subsequent loose bullet from jamming the weapon.

[@ronpelton2590]

I do a mild crimp on all my 223, after some rounds jammed in my Armalite and it was because the bullet had been pushed back on the feed ramps.

[@richardsveum8452]

Check your feed ramp alignment, My Armalite was Horrible with crushing rounds, at least 1 per magazine after some troubleshooting the feed ramps were slightly mis-aligned.

[@wrxs1781]

Well done Johnny, here is my two cents worth. For years I crimped my 223Rem/.556 ammo with a medium to heavy crimp for the simple reason of bullet push back, in competition causing jams. In the last few years mostly bench shooting on my part and never crimp, and no issues so far.My only comment with the bullet you are using why OAL 2.215", my preference for that bullet OAL 2.247".

[@darthdively]

I've been reloading for some time. Yet, im new to auto rifle. This was great information. Thanks for taking the time to do this and sharing with us. Good job!

[@jasonweishaupt1828]

I crimp just enough to prevent bullet movement under recoil and cycling.

[@misterx8592]

6 years old video but still relevant!

[@smartacus88]

Dumbass comment.

[@Puggernaught24]

Literally love nerding out on these vids, good job

[@collinweiss4983]

WOW, I was expecting higher pressures and higher mv numbers as the crimp got heavier. Thank you for doing this!

[@woe2thet1m1d6]

Very nice video and good info. I've loaded about 4k rounds for my three gas guns and never used a crimp as I have had zero function issues. Accuracy with H335 w/HDY 55gr about 1.5 MOA and Win748 w/HDY 75gr BTHP 0.8 MOA with an 18" BA 223 Wylde barrel.

[@ccwynn6657]

Glad you went back to LC brass. They take pains to assure a soft annealed shoulder and neck. This serves to make sure the neck seals to the chamber during firing. The downside is that if you get too heavy on the roll crimp on your press, the shoulder will flare where it attaches to the shank of the case. It can be subtle and go undetected under visual inspection. It can even sneak through the Wilson Pattern Gage Test. When setting up for a roll crimp into the cannelure keep an eye on possible shoulder flare. By the way the MilSpec for M193 is 35 lbs neck retention. The Military does not insist on crimp but LC throws it in to assure there are no disassembling or bullets pushed back down in the case during the autoload forces and the 35 lb. minimum milspec requirement is maintained.

[@robkilcollins310]

What a cool test! Putting theory to paper to quell the masses!! DAMN I love this channel!

[@pablopenasco4254]

Lol. That is my favorite website for supporting all my favorite content creators!

[@mattpatton8887]

I have found that crimping tends to elongate the bullet by .001 to .002" so that may explain the extra thou in your measurements.

[@MrKredinger]

Great test and content. Very helpful to someone getting into reloading. Thanks for doing this channel.

[@davecarberry8212]

Thank you for this video! You answered that question I always had in the back of my mind in regards to crimping. I will continue with a light crimp on my 223 reloads without any more doubt about going heavier!!

[@keithreutter4253]

The best way to describe crimp is to hold bullets in place in auto firing guns. And some powders do better when bullets are crimped to 🔥 all the powder up. The old wise tail says if you can't push the bullet in with pressing it against something your fine and just lightly crimp them to iron out the lip of case.

[@adamthatguy454]

I've been loading 300 HAM'R (basically 223 brass cut and necked up to 308) and had to crimp (mid to light) to keep the bullet from pulling out of the case when chambered. The inertia from the 125 gr. bullet made it push out into the lands. If I pulled the bolt back to make sure the round loaded from the mag it would pull the bullet the rest of the way out; turned into a powdery mess.

[@brentmack51]

Glad you did this. I had an old timer tell me he never crimps 223. He shoots competition. Hence I dont crimp

[@ibthumper2]

No crimp pimp. LOL I just wanted to thank you for your hard work and sharing with us brain stems out here.

[@shuumai]

haha

[@calangel]

The heavier the crimp, the higher the POI shift is what your test seems to show. I have a hornet, and I was instructed to always put a light to medium-light crimp as they have low neck tension. Thanks for the test, bro!

[@neilharris4462]

Thank you, for confirming why i don't crimp for 223. No real accuracy gain as well as velocity jump. I use a .002" neck tension and it seems to work well.

[@paulatudor691]

How do they hold up over time with moisture in the air? Just curious about the powder might get damp over the several years. I have black powder and it don’t take moisture well.

[@neilharris4462]

@@paulatudor691 I can't speak for black powder cartridges, but moisture is not an issue with modern cartridges. Neck tension seems to be pretty air tight. Crimping with black powder may be more important for assisting in pressure curves as well. Good luck.

[@rykelee]

Whether you apply a crimp or not, I have found uniformity in neck tension is the criteria that's important.

[@Dustysa4]

Many moons ago I performed a variation of the test you did here. I used cases sorted by stamp, 55 gr hornady FMJ bullets, and two different ball powders (H335 & TAC). I tested medium crimp vs no crimp at various charges weights. I had similar results. Sometimes the crimp yielded better consistency, and sometimes not. Data was so inconclusive that I also determined crimp doesn't make much difference with plinking ammo in an AR platform rifle. However, for my target rifle I'll often achieve a spread under 15fps. I never crimp these rounds.

[@jeffmerz3595]

Military doesn't even crimp ammo issued to sniper teams if that tells you anything

[@WolfzVideo]

I've been reloading for over 30 years and never bothered crimping. I was just gonna start playing with crimps and found your video. I prob won't now. Great seeing this... I would think just to put a little more tension on the bullet.

[@chrisgrace1489]

I recently started reloading 223 and 6.5 creedmoor and haven't crimped any of them I hope I'm good to go

[@inglwud5625]

I would try them without the can on the end- it with the sensor on the end may be affecting the barrel flexing.

[@gwidwock]

I have read in multiple forums about reloading .223 and a lot of reloaders do not crimp. Good video, Thanks!

[@JJN1973]

Very interesting and well done. I crimp the .243 rem I own, It is a Tikka T3 varmit. I find crimping improves the rifle's performance, I use it mainly for pest control on Fox, Kangaroo, and Fallow Deer (NSW, Australia). I would say I use a heavy crimp, but I think I will go back and look over it again as you have now got me thinking, I could improve.

[@roadsideprophet2012]

I know I am about a year late for my comment but I only found your channel in the last week. So u can probably expect a few late comments on other videos as well as I watch them. :-) great content! loving the channel and experiments

[@homiegali]

I've crimped mine with a light crimp because it came with my kit. Interesting results.

[@edboy916]

Great job man! So the question is: to crimp or not to crimp. I personally don’t crimp my bullets, even if I do “fire-fire” with my AR15, or bench rest with my 308 Remington 700. The reason is that I prefer to not stress overall the neck of my cartdriges, since I reload them. This is my opinion. Anyway, thanks for making this video, and sorry for my english. Greetings from an italian guy :)

[@WestDesertShooter]

The video clips thrown in make me laugh every time. The 8541 tactical made me laugh out loud at work when I shouldn't have been watching videos. I've never crimped, haven't had a reason to, and I get good results without it. So it saves me another step I guess

[@dannyo3317]

I have never crimped either and do not know anyone that does.

[@michaellacy8510]

This video is very well done! Not overly talky. Great target and shooting visuals. Thanks!

[@johnblythe8229]

Love the “I can feel it all the way down to my plums”🤠

[@mbizzle1801]

Best link at the end of a video yet, well played

[@glenschwarzer6282]

Your video's are the best, in my opinion I've learned so much and have watched for hours thank you 🤠

[@raymondwalker5032]

The most important take is that there was no noticeable difference in the bullet moving from no crimp.

[@RimfireAddicted70]

Great video! These videos are very detailed and well thought out. Tons of serious information to be gleaned here. Keep up the awesome work!

[@jakebirkmaier5703]

I think the changes in group sizes are due to the barrel heating as the first through third grow progressively bigger until you take a break then the same thing happens again

[@89tonstar]

From what I understand, crimping bullets came about after most of the worlds armies learned that soldiers during battle can be very hard on their ammunition. Using bullet tips as tools, running through red hot machine guns, slamming home bolts, double feeds, etc. Crimping also came about due to war time production as neck tension could sometimes vary quiet substantially. Crimping was just another step to decrease the likelyhood of a misfire damaging the weapon. Today, the quality of modern brass is just out the freakin roof, even with cheap brass. Crimping can help, but is not needed. I think all of us, early on in our shooting career, "heard about that one shooter" who had a round pushed into the case and blew his face off. So we intuitively added crimp, JUST IN CASE. lol

[@kilokiloj]

I love science and I love testing that makes sense. 50 shots isn't enough to "prove" any theory but the way you conducted it proves to me that crimp just doesn't matter for 223 or 5.56 range shooting. All reloaders are crazy but we really appreciate a good video like this one.

[@jamessolomonii7516]

In my opinion crimping for rifles is more based on how you are going to use the gun. If its a self-defense or gun fighting battle rifle setup, you want to crimp. The rifle is going to be dropped banged around on things, etc and you don't want the bullets shifting. If all you are doing is bench shooting, then who cares.

[@pault2148]

I just crimp enough to rid my reloads of the slight case mouth flare, that I use during reloading. To smooth feeding. Light to extra light crimp.

[@blackhawk7r221]

Much more important is to get the thickness of the neck brass even around the circumference. There will always be thicker and thinner spots. This means that your bullet is not in proper alignment with the barrel bore. Only turn it to take off the high spots, so you’ll typically only get cut marks 3/4ths of the way around. And as always, neck tension should be .002” less than actual bullet diameter compensating for neck brass thickness. No separate crimp required. Now this is for your match ammo that you baby, not the stuff for blasting with the fellas.

[@jungleno.]

I’ve never used my factory crimp die on 556. Just a normal neck tension on the lee seating die. It takes about five whacks with a kinetic bullet puller to knock a bullet loose. That’s plenty tight. As an aside, 25.5g H335 is above the new max but below the old max and gives great groups (Hornady 55g fmjbt, CCI 400 primer, 2.215 COL).

[@bayoubilly6971]

You are a god to the new reloaded And new to to bobs bullets. Thank you

[@ccwynn6657]

The cannelure on those bullets is what we call a pseudo-cannelure, invented by Sierra when Mil asked for a real cannelure on the Mk262 Mod 1. According to Dr. Corbin, a real cannelure will establish a line terminus of the cannelure indent if it is to be functional as intended.

[@Airon79]

I'd imagine the lightest crimp on the .223 is still firmer than the heaviest crimp on the 300WM ? Actually , before viewing comments , had thought crimping was just for making bullets waterproof .

[@TimKollat]

you should test your OAL after you chamber a round, then pull it out and check its OAL as this is when you would get bullet set back when the bolt slams the round into chamber. I crimp everything, even for my bolt rifles. After trying to mimic some factory loads Ive noticed that some of the most accurate factory loads Ive fired were with rounds that were heavily crimped to where you couldnt pull the bullet out without some considerable force in a bullet puller die. I just seem to get better accuracy and consistency when crimping. Ive come to the conclusion that crimping creates more consistent pressure. Thats what I think so thats what Im sticking with. Even if the bullet doesn't have a cannelure I still crimp with the Lee Crimp

[@tomharrell1954]

mojo jojo interesting hypothesis. Sorry but I don’t agree. Can you support your idea with any thoughts? Read my thoughts up at the top and put what you think! Thanks

[@keithreinert5835]

If you watch he did that exactly. It chambered he ejected it and measured it.

[@jungleno.]

Your reasoning does not make sense. When the round is chambered, the kinetic energy of the cartridge getting slammed into the chamber would throw the bullet forward, not backward.

[@patriotarmament7407]

Just a thought; maybe crimping isn’t about accuracy but pressure and FPS.

[@8literbeater]

Which contributes to accuracy.

[@yolo-qr2fq]

Have you had the crimp die deform a shoulder/roll it a little? Have a RCBS crimp/seating die and that's what it's been doing. Put a factory round in the shell holder lift the ram all the way up and then screw the die in so I have seating depth and crimp. After this a put a round in to seat and crimp and comes out with a rolled shoulder.

[@rapidrrobert4333]

I shoot a Howa .22-250. My favorite load is 52gr. Hornady match, CCI BR2, Hornady brass, no crimp OAL 2.370" case trimmed to 1.905. I finally got a 5 shot group under a dime at 100 yards. (Forget about the other 300 groups under a blanket).

[@herrkulor3771]

Nice fotos. Really obvious how the bullets form a waist with crimping and thereby loose contact surface with the barrel.

[@normanmcneal3605]

Is them boat tail? Other than creating a round crimp groove, fcd does not distort any bullet. Lee said so and I have seen it’s true. If you can feel the edge of the case with a drag finger test, it’s not crimped. Send it back to Lee with a case and they will make it right

[@pcbulletempire9872]

The only time I cramp my bullets when I use my Lee cast 55 grain bullet other than that I don't cramp any jacketed bullets I tried to get them up close to the rifling as I can

[@rapidrrobert4333]

I go .015" from rifling. no crimp trimmed case, and consistent OAL.

[@marcrobert2603]

People who reload for others and not crimp? Has any person allready shot one with the bullet fallen into the case while loading the rifle?So when you make one for brother,papa or friend,better crimp to avoid accidents

[@neilharris4462]

marc robert as a general rule you should not shoot others reloads, or give others your reloads.

[@marcrobert2603]

I know,you know,now everybody knows,i agree.100procent

[@jerryrichards8172]

Dose anyone ever use the red lacquer to seal around the crimp and primer ? I often wonder about water getting in.

[@jerryrichards8172]

@John Beige OK thanks for responding.

[@craiganderson3170]

You certainly go after the questions I have.

[@kevinryland5733]

Thanks for the video man. Well put together. If crimping doesn't change SD or grouping much I could see a hunting vs bench application for crimping. iE if your walking through the shit and your bullets are josling around In the mag or your pocket etc.

[@fermentis]

What is your neck tension without crimp?

[@ditchdigger93]

I always thought it would make more difference than you got there. But then you rarely ever see factory loads in any caliber that isn't crimped, some of it crimped pretty hard. I really would have bet it raised bullet pull a lot having to break the crimp back out before the bullet could move. Guess not.

[@1976kingdom]

I would like to see this with Vihta Vouri powder. That powder has given you the most consistent low SD #'s.

[@rimrock53]

I quit crimping 30 years ago but I don’t reload for tube feed or magnum calibers. Why do you think you need to crimp something like .223?

[@tythagoras5787]

Yeah, I did my own testing a few decades back. I came to the same conclusion. Crimping rifle ammo is for people who aren't me. My Lee factory crimp die still gets some use when a friend comes over to reload, he crimps everything. I try to talk him out of it, but if the military crimps everything, so will he.

[@blackhawk7r221]

Recoil causes the bullets in the mag to shift back into the case.

[@rimrock53]

@@blackhawk7r221I haven’t observed any OAL changes with my AR and don’t believe that .223 has enough recoil to cause any. I believe crimping is more important if you are shooting magnum calibers or tube feed magazines…. Even my .308 loads are stable. If I have to pull a bullet, I have to beat repeatedly with a kinetic puller to get the bullet to move at all. The only bullets I buy with a cannelure anymore are .308 Barnes TTSX and they are not available without it.

[@blackhawk7r221]

@@rimrock53 I gave you the standard army answer for boneheads being rough with ammo. I personally apply a light crimp to .223’s because I have had an uncrimped bullet push back and blow up my bolt because the bullet couldn’t make the straight jump to the rifling. I do not crimp rifle ammo for my bolt actions. I use neck collet dies to get that magical .002” of tension.

[@ryanthomas2374]

Just bought a 1000 BB (bobs bullets) and cant wait to load them up!

[@kennethstahl678]

I think 10 shot groups is little extreme. 5 should be enough. Maybe a little slower shooting to insure deviation is not shooter induced. Crimp or no crimp? That question has been going on forever in the rifle cartridge reloading world. Myself I check neck tension after seating. Measure, push test, measure! Also like you did a measure check of rounds from the magazine after weapon operations. No variation or issues based on that lot of brass I do not crimp! Crimping effects pressure through variations in neck tension! Common sense. In rifle it is rare that I crimp. When I was benchrest comp shooting and did inside neck turning there may have been times I used a very light taper crimp. Even that was seldom! I like your testing process and you explanation on what your doing and looking for is very good.

[@johnnymccann5607]

I'm a advanced reloader of over 43 years , advanced ultra reduced center ammunition. all my semi auto ammunition I prove each round with no exceptions. I cross both thumbs around prime end, bullet nose betweeny fingers and push hard against a board on a table, reloading bench,door frame of reloading room. having my micre meter set to check for bullet back up .I don't buy much factory ammunition but I'm shocked at how easy to back in case some brands are also extremely dangerous ammunition.lets face facts most shooters get out shoot she spray and pray method and because you just can't see while rapid firing bullets backing up in cases then blowing up. I'm 99 percent convinced most semi auto firearm failures are due to faulty ammunition.its a experience I won't never forget. papa.

[@OzarkSpirit]

I was taught to always crimp compressed loads and anything that will be stored for any length of time. I.e hunting loads. Other than that, it's shooters choice. What do the manuals say?

[@edwardmauch2918]

What about crimp in heavy revolvers and what about bullet set back while on a two way range?

[@yissnakklives8866]

Need to run the crimp test with multiple powders. That might provide more decisive insight. Great work, too!

[@markcarlton1182]

My view is that I use a light crimp when the bullets have a cannelure. On longer bullets(55gr Nosler BT) with no cannelure, the bullet is seated deep in the case and does not need a crimp. I just don't think the crimp adds anything. YMMV

[@redrzr56]

Well Done Sir! A real life, this is what I did and here are the results test. Thank You!

[@benjaminbrown1179]

Hello Johnny! Long time no see. I came back to just get some action waiting on your next video. I noticed that with the heavy crimp, the ejection pattern was more consistent, and the group was tighter. Just an observation and a chance to say what's up!!?

[@Rick-nk7pm]

What would be the best 223 powder out of tcm. 4227. Titegroup. Or winchester autocomp????? 55 fmj

[@reelamor9950]

This puts another wrinkle in my noodle. I started reloading 30-06 and 460 S&W mag, guess crimp has been engrained in me. Only load I really don't crimp is 300BO , since I just am removing the bell. Going to try no crimp on my 5.56 now.

[@southern_merican]

I tested different crimps to see if it dented the bullet once i pulled it from the case.(and heavy crimps do damage the side) And set My crimp As tight as I could without denting the bullet.

[@choogiesoutdooradventures.1948]

What about crimping non cannelure bullets? Can they even be crimped? Or should be? I bought some 60 grain non cannelure I was gonna shoot out of an AR. I didn’t look at the box, I wanted the cannelure ones. Maybe a light crimp?

[@hrbricker]

Mini-14, Little or no crimp results in many fail to feed with bullet jammed back into the case.

[@jonjames4281]

I believe crimp matters more with heavier/longer bullets. really noticed this with the 300blk subs bullets moving forward when cambering.(dies maybe?) Never had any issues with 5.56/223 bullets i've loaded, but I crimp them anyway cause of bullets getting shoved in cases in ammo I didn't load. The SMK 69gr are the heaviest i've loaded.

[@user60521123]

Thank you! Very informative and well done video. I’m just starting rifle reloading. If the bullet has a cannelure, is the crimp is still optional?

[@bretthl1]

Crimp or neck tension? I think Lee calls it neck tension die. What really annoys me is the ring that the Lee neck tension die imparts on the neck of the case. If your case is SAAMI maximum length then top of the collet should align with the top of the case. The collet on these dies close when the shoulder impinges on the base of the collet. Why can't they get this problem fixed?

[@jamesbent2584]

I have been loading for bolt action for a while never needing to crimp butjust started loading .223 for a semi auto and have been looking for info on crimping. Ive read that its a safety thing for bullet pushback but then i hear no dont worry and i dont need it. I am loading hornady 75 gr bthp with no cannelure as well as 55 gr fmj sbt with cannelure going to be using lee factory crimp die for both as it will taper crimp bullets without a cannelure am i just wasting time and money?

[@MrTgrasshopper]

Interesting. Did you mesure neck tention? The no crimp, did they had all the same neck tension?

[@codysp]

I never use a cannelure as a reference for bullet seating. That's not what they're for. It's merely a mechanical bond of the jacket to the core. All my 55gr fmjbt is seated at 2.250 oal which is nowhere near the cannelure.

[@MWR-lg9qp]

I struggle with crimp/no crimp. I can and do calibrate my die exactly how you did it, so I know how but my results are all over the place just like yours.

[@ironmonkey1512]

I don't want to wear out my brass I just go light

[@JohnSmith-kg5dv]

Have you noticed the wild change of bullet lengths in these Bullets? Mine have been all over the place and it doesn’t seem to matter on bullet weight. I have always got better groups with no crimp, 223, 243, 2506.

[@BR-pj8ii]

If I do not crimp, I find that the bullets (inside Magazine) will shift in or out due to the recoil and can very easily cause a major malfunction.

[@boccheballs2]

As I understand it you should not shoot for groups with the magneto speed chrono attached?

[@jamesvatter5729]

Good stuff. I did a similar .223 test a few years ago. Unfortunately, it was before I had access to a chronograph. My groups looked like yours. Not a lot of deviation. I expected variations. It surprises me to see no bullet creep or major change in velocities. I wonder what this test would look like with a heavier caliber?

[@badvlad9861]

Crimping consistently for me removes one more unknown variable in my process. If I over crimp I see my groupings fall and spread.

[@alext8828]

What was the purpose of measuring the last of each group w/ the calipers??? Was it expected to change length in the clip?

[@jasonposten9481]

Where do you reload at? Shed, garage or inside the house? I don't have a shed or garage. Just curious on your opinion.

[@Norman68623]

Well, LAPUA factory ammo in .223 comes without any visible crimp. Seems to be the best option if technically appropriate.

[@davidunderwood3605]

Crimps are military standard. As with cci # 41 primers. I use a lee factory crimp die on all simiauto reloads. Very lite to lite. Military uses a heavy crimp standard do to the handeling of munitions and to insure proper feeding in combat as well as training. With combat they are looking at combat accuracy not bench rest. To test standards you must measure crimps on factory loadings with digital just as you would for proper pistol munitions. If your banging out more than ten in the mag such as the 30 round standards everybody uses today, I use ten, then you could see a little backwards movement by the time you reach the last few. How fast you jackhammer them out can also have affect. Clean barrel with a snake between strings to set a standard. That's my way when looking for accuracy load. But every body has there own way. Just like opinions and But holes everybody has one.lol. fun fun fun.

[@donabele1243]

+David Underwood: The primary reason that military ammo is crimped is to ensure no bullet movement during full-auto firing (the same primary reason why the primers are crimped). Be well, Don

[@James_NatureAquatics]

I generally use a crimp only with plinking ammunition that has a cannelure. While there are sometimes accuracy and pressure differences... I don’t see enough to worry about. I use a crimp in bulk stuff just because it gets thrown in an ammo can and carried around. I find best accuracy and SD’s out of controlling neck tension and seating depth. I seat to 2.25 to 2.26 depending on the round. For me the golden number has been 0.003 of neck tension. I use this in all my rifles. I recently used a very light crimp on 300 blackout but have yet to fire a single round to test. You should really try the 77 grain Berger tactical with Varget... I’m curious to see your result. H335 I like with 55 grain... I prefer a little slower with powder with heavier. Varget, 4166, CFE, etc. when you clean don’t remove too much copper, accuracy will fall. If it’s a new barrel it could need broken in more as well. As far as your take on crimp needed or not... I don’t see the real need unless storing like I mentioned. Good neck tension is what’s more important... keep the awesome videos coming. I would say where it is relevant, in pistol, especially in magnum revolver cartridges. In rifle I crimp only 223 and 300 and for storage. High accuracy stuff even in 223 gets no crimp for me and I get beat SD and velocity with neck tension. Crimping can actually reduce velocities when you need it due to more energy blowing expensed to make the bullet leave the case. A longer COAL will get you higher velocities with good neck tension... that’s a little bit of a ramble and I’m sorry. Just got up with minimal coffee in the system lol.

[@darrellmayo9066]

I don't crimp, when I feel the need of crimping I just put a little more neck tension on the bullet. This works great for me

[@edp1189]

I like my RCBS taper crimp used lightly, I bet ya got one of them???

[@jacksonthompson7099]

I think all dies except Lee dies have a built in Roll crimp.

[@stevenwagle1101]

Maybe lose the can and/or the chrono? See if the groups don't improve?

[@McDowell429]

Maybe just a slight point of impact change? Your none, medium, and light crimps were trying to group a few shot high. The heavy and extra heavy were grouped all lower. May be nothing. Just something i noticed.

[@shotdog4237]

Ethan, this is the same results i get, ignore group size, and look at the drop it's fairly consist, but so is the fps! it's kinda in the same rule as, why does (just an example) 4895 run a 55gr at 3000 fps with 55 thousands psi, but 380 will do 3000 with 45 thousands psi, crimping was meant to just hold the bullet, but it will affect pressure, some loading data uses crimp just for this reason, mainly to hold slower burning powders in the case longer to build up pressure to get all the powder to burn before leaving the barrel. but that was an excellent observation

[@jamie57061]

The only round i've every found to benefit from a mild crimp was the .22 Hornet. Other than that i just size the case neck, (Until it needs a full resize. Bolt action.) I just always seat bullets at least as deep as the width of the the caliber and around 5 to 10 thou from the lands. Best group i've had at 100 yards is .25" give a thou or 2. That was a dead calm day though, and i happened to be on form for once!