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Newbie – Crimping and Feeding issues
I’ve been having issues making 5.56 rounds.
In my first small batch I tried crimping. However, I messed the throat of the case up and the rounds were out of spec. I wasn’t able to dial in the crimp.
In the second batch I didn’t crimp. The rounds were the correct COAL with minimal free space (another topic that bothers me) between powder and the round.
Fast forward to test firing, when the rounds would feed into the chamber, the seating of the bullet would change and force the bullet farther back into the case.I think crimping would solve this issue, but I’m looking for other fixes as well.
I am using once fired brass in an AR-15 with feed ramps.
-I appreciate any help
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1 Reply
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If you’re having issues crimping id suggest getting a lee factory crimp die (fcd). They’re thee best. Cheap too. You don’t have to worry about cases being the same length
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If you are getting bullet setback you don’t have enough neck tension. Plenty of people never crimp even ar10 cases which have much stronger recoil and recoil springs.
I’m going to assume you have .224 projectiles.
Simple way is measure the OD of a resized case. Then seat a bullet and measure again. The difference is going to be the neck tension. For a factory sizing die probably in the .005 range. Most people go for .003-.002.
You can also take one of your loaded rounds and try to press the bullet tip into your bench by hand while holding the case. If it moves, that also tells you that you have too little neck tension.
As others have said, the Lee factory crimp die is cheap and a really good way to apply a light crimp. If you are making duty grade/SHTF ammo that has a good chance to get slammed around before shooting – crimp it. If you’re just making ammo for shooting a crimp isn’t really necessary.
Measure your neck tension and report your results.
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Are you trimming your brass?
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I’m relatively new to reloading as well. I deprime, resize, trim to length, seat to recommended COAL, factory crimp and have not had any issues. I found this process on YouTube and reloading manuals and have found them to be spot on. Hope this helps.
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To hold a bullet in place, you rely on neck tension first.
If that doesn’t hold the bullet in place under normal cycling, the Lee FCD, or any other crimp, is just a bandaid on a sucking chest wound.
Reduce the expander by .001”. Some expanders are easy to reduce in size, some not so easy. I’ve been able to reduce Lyman and RCBS but my Hornady, I had to get a smaller expander from them.
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I’m commenting to read others’ comments. I’m also new and don’t crimp but didn’t have any issues sending. I went to OAL 2.25 IAW Lyman manual and use PMAGS.
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When I started doing 223/556, I kept making Harry Potter hats pretty often. I got so frustrated after multiple adjustments that I picked up a neck flaring die and a crimping die. After I picked up a case checker, never had an issue with cycling again. I single stage in 1000 batches at a time so it’s not too bad
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I don’t crimp ar rounds. Or any actually. 9mm a little bit just to get rid of the flare.
