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Crimping bullets with no cannileure

Dave45-70
I'm shooting a 338 Win mag semi-auto,my question, should I lightly taper crimp the bullets even though they do not have a cannileure? I don't want the bullets shoved back into the cases with the recoil. I also don't want to deform or damage the bullet.I generally load one at a time so there is no problem but I'm thinking ahead to hunting season.Your expert opinion will be appreciated.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Hawkshaw
    My info. comes from Nosler (I used to work there). NO, Do not ever crimp without a cannelure. You will deform both the brass, and the bullet. That material has to go somewhere!!! HAWKSHAW
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  • DONDALINGER
    I do a slight roll crimp when I reload for my .338 Rem Ultra Mag. I had to do a roll crimp to keep the bullets from moving back in the brass due to recoil. This gun also shoots MOA at 200 yards with these roll crimped handloads. I personally do not think it hurts to do a light crimp on non cannelure bullets. It has not hurt my handloads performance any at all.

    Regards, Don
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  • SoreShoulder
    There's always the lee factory crimp die. The crimping operation is not powered by the case; instead the case is enclosed within a collet and the shellholder pushes the collet into a tapered die. You can crimp it harder than with a canellure.

    You could probably crimp the bullet in half, if the tool had enough travel, but there's not enough taper in the die, and the four fingers of the collet come together at a certain point.
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  • airmung
    +1
    I am very happy with the LEE FCD. I use them on all my reloads, rifle and handgun. Accuracy is improved, and you don't have to fool with getting custom neck sizing dies/expanders or reamers in order to get prpoer bullet tension.
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  • perry shooter
    Listen to Hawkshaw.
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  • bigdaddy75069
    I use the lee taper crimp die on all me rifle cartrages
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  • sandwarrior
    I know Hawkshaw says not to but if you have to crimp, you have to. I don't unless necessary. When I do, I use taper crimping dies, and only crimp as much as is necessary. It will affect accuracy if you do crimp whether roll crimping or taper crimping.
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  • bpost
    I had a 338 BAR. I never crimped, never had a problem with bullets moving. I did see deformation on the 225 Hornaday Spitzer bullet noses but I never had a moose complain after it hit them.

    I did find the rifle shot best at book max charges of H-4831 or RE-22.
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  • abarhorst
    General info covering crimping along with other reloading.

    http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/index.cfm
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  • dandak1
    Doesnt someone make a tool to swage a cannielure onto jacketed bullets that dont have it? I know I saw one once, it was a commercial model.
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