I know this is an old worn out subject, But Since Im here at work and not a soul around I would like to share my experience on this subject.
I wanted to run an experiment on loads for my M1 between no crimp, Taper Crimp and Lees FCD using both sierras 150 FMJ (2115) and 168 SMK (2200)
I also ran the test with annealed brass and non annealed after firing did not change the results. But I mainly anneal to expand case life not 1000 yard benchrest shooting either.
I shot over 500rds ranging from new brass to once fired. For me my best accuracy came from Reddings taper crimp die.
It (Taper Crimping)showed more consistent groups in both 150s and the 168s.
This test I used a lee full length resizing die and a forster full length resizing die. I wanted to use two different resizing dies too eliminate a difference with possible neck tension between the two dies. Since neck tension is really what is going on here. In other words 1 die may create different neck tension than the other. I wanted to make sure that my original Lee Die wasn’t giving me bad neck tension so purchased another resizing die.
I also removed the expander balls from both dies and then resized the necks afterwards using a lee collet die. I full length sized first, without expander ball then sized neck back with collet .
test results were same, Taper crimp die worked the best
Also in another test removed the expander ball and used lyman m neck sizer die to expand the necks and ran all three tests again. Again full length sized then ran neck sizer die.
Again same results, Taper crimp better results
The amount of Crimp was medium for both The Lee FCD and Redding Taper crimp. I also notice the taper crimp was way easier on the necks on the brass than the Lee FCD.
Again I dont want to start an argument and by no means was this a scientific test, Just guy trying a bunch of different things and seeing the results (to me this is the fun part of reloading.)
I know hundreds of thousands of rds have been loaded without a crimp for the M1 with great results, but rather I was wondering if anyone notice in there M1 if crimping gave them better results than not crimping . But When you see group sizes shrink 30 even 50% was eye opening for me.
But the bottom line in MY M1 with me shooting I shoot better groups with using a redding taper crimp die across a range of different types of brass and bullets.
Powder that was used was IMR 4895 and primers were CCI 250s. I used a COL of 3.250 for the 150s and COL of 3.320 for the 168s per Sierra Load data. I also used a Redding Competition Seater Die and used a Dillion BL550 press, each powder charge was weighed by hand. Trim length on brass was 2.484 +- .001 due to different manufacturers of brass I used.
Rifle , 1953 H&R M1 with original barrel the throat has not been gauged. All test shots were done from a rest and at 50yds.
I wanted to say special Thanks to UNCLENICK for answering all my annoying questions while I did all these tests.
I wanted to run an experiment on loads for my M1 between no crimp, Taper Crimp and Lees FCD using both sierras 150 FMJ (2115) and 168 SMK (2200)
I also ran the test with annealed brass and non annealed after firing did not change the results. But I mainly anneal to expand case life not 1000 yard benchrest shooting either.
I shot over 500rds ranging from new brass to once fired. For me my best accuracy came from Reddings taper crimp die.
It (Taper Crimping)showed more consistent groups in both 150s and the 168s.
This test I used a lee full length resizing die and a forster full length resizing die. I wanted to use two different resizing dies too eliminate a difference with possible neck tension between the two dies. Since neck tension is really what is going on here. In other words 1 die may create different neck tension than the other. I wanted to make sure that my original Lee Die wasn’t giving me bad neck tension so purchased another resizing die.
I also removed the expander balls from both dies and then resized the necks afterwards using a lee collet die. I full length sized first, without expander ball then sized neck back with collet .
test results were same, Taper crimp die worked the best
Also in another test removed the expander ball and used lyman m neck sizer die to expand the necks and ran all three tests again. Again full length sized then ran neck sizer die.
Again same results, Taper crimp better results
The amount of Crimp was medium for both The Lee FCD and Redding Taper crimp. I also notice the taper crimp was way easier on the necks on the brass than the Lee FCD.
Again I dont want to start an argument and by no means was this a scientific test, Just guy trying a bunch of different things and seeing the results (to me this is the fun part of reloading.)
I know hundreds of thousands of rds have been loaded without a crimp for the M1 with great results, but rather I was wondering if anyone notice in there M1 if crimping gave them better results than not crimping . But When you see group sizes shrink 30 even 50% was eye opening for me.
But the bottom line in MY M1 with me shooting I shoot better groups with using a redding taper crimp die across a range of different types of brass and bullets.
Powder that was used was IMR 4895 and primers were CCI 250s. I used a COL of 3.250 for the 150s and COL of 3.320 for the 168s per Sierra Load data. I also used a Redding Competition Seater Die and used a Dillion BL550 press, each powder charge was weighed by hand. Trim length on brass was 2.484 +- .001 due to different manufacturers of brass I used.
Rifle , 1953 H&R M1 with original barrel the throat has not been gauged. All test shots were done from a rest and at 50yds.
I wanted to say special Thanks to UNCLENICK for answering all my annoying questions while I did all these tests.
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