My 1st .308 handload results

[MikeW]

My first attempt at loading .308 for my bolt gun. Also my 1st outing with new scope (Weaver 10x Mil-Dot tatical). The groups were better than my best group with Federal Gold Match 168 but I think that the groups will improve over time, I hope.

I hope to load more this week and test again soon. I loaded 25 without the use of a crimping die and 25 with a light crimp... the gun seems to like the light crimp better. Any reloaders here that have thoughts on crimp vs. no crimp?

Load data:
2.77 OAL
150 Hornady FMJ BT
42.3 Grains of IMR 4064 (start load in Lee book)
Wincheste LR primers
Full length resizing die used
Lee Hand Press


100yds 5-shots crimp


100 yds 10 shots no crimp

[gregintenn]

Sweet. A crimp is not needed in a long, bottlenecked rifle case such as a 308, or most other rifle rounds for that matter. There is sufficient neck tension to hold the bullet in place without the crimp. That being said, if you feel it is more accurate with the crimp, it certainly woundn't hurt anything. Congratulations on your results. Looks like you're off to a great start.

[I_Like_Pie]

No crimp needed.

[MikeW]

Thanks for the replies guys... I will not use the crimp die and focus more on neck tension.

[Good_Steward]

Personally, I like a light crimp. I use a Lee factory crimp die, and am very pleased with the results. I see a tad more accuracy out of them with the light crimp, by far enough to justify the $10 and few extra seconds in the process.

[Hidalgo]

Thanks for the replies guys... I will not use the crimp die and focus more on neck tension.

There are LOTS of things that you can do to possibly increase accuracy other than crimping.

Uniform the primer pockets.
Uniform the flash holes.
Use competition seating dies.

OAL is one of the most important things that you can pay attention to if you want to increase accuracy.

From my experience and 25 years of reloading, I have seen very few cases where a crimp has greatly improved accuracy in the .308.

[MikeW]

There are LOTS of things that you can do to possibly increase accuracy other than crimping.

Uniform the primer pockets.
Uniform the flash holes.
Use competition seating dies.

OAL is one of the most important things that you can pay attention to if you want to increase accuracy.

From my experience and 25 years of reloading, I have seen very few cases where a crimp has greatly improved accuracy in the .308.

I will start with the two bold options above... seems that those are "low cost" ideas.

Personally, I like a light crimp. I use a Lee factory crimp die, and am very pleased with the results. I see a tad more accuracy out of them with the light crimp, by far enough to justify the $10 and few extra seconds in the process.

The Lee Factory Crimp dies is what I have. Easy enough to use and not that much more time even with a hand press. I bought the crimp for when I load .308 for my M1A.



thanks

[Good_Steward]

There are LOTS of things that you can do to possibly increase accuracy other than crimping.

Uniform the primer pockets.
Uniform the flash holes.
Use competition seating dies.

OAL is one of the most important things that you can pay attention to if you want to increase accuracy.

From my experience and 25 years of reloading, I have seen very few cases where a crimp has greatly improved accuracy in the .308.

I've been loading for 15, myself, and I definitely agree with your statement that uniforming the primer pocket and flash hole are fantastic ideas. I do it myself. I also use this seating die: MidwayUSA - Forster Ultra Micrometer Seater Die 308 Winchester

BUT, I am still a firm believer that the factory crimp die helps those other processes to perform even better. IMO

[gregintenn]

OAL is one of the most important things that you can pay attention to if you want to increase accuracy.

I have to agree with this statement.

[Hidalgo]

BUT, I am still a firm believer that the factory crimp die helps those other processes to perform even better. IMO

I agree there are some cases where crimping is advantageous. But not always. Pressure rates and bullet types have a bearing on crimping. Some bullets respond well to being crimped ... some not so well. Experimentation is never a bad thing, and crimping is just another variable in the load evaluation.

Case in point: I have never crimped .223 V-Max loads, as I found out that it always hindered consistency rather than advanced it. But when I was working with a Nosler Partition loading for Texas pig shooting, it failed miserably with any and every powder/charge I tried. Only when crimped would the Partitions perform adequately.

As a side note: Crimping can also cause increases in pressure, although they are usually minor. However, I am extremely careful when using load data that is not designed for crimped loads. Go slowly and inspect your spent cases thoroughly.