I've got a BLR in .358 Win and I just worked up my first loads for testing. I'm using the 200 gr Hornady bullet and they have a cannelure.

I didn't seat these to the cannelure (yet), because The I thought I might get better accuracy seating the bullets out further.

Now I'm thinking that since these are going to be hunting loads I should just seat to the cannelure and crimp.

What say you?? Crimp or not?

I don't crimp any rounds for use in rifles unless they are for use in a tubular magazine.It's certainly not necessary for your blr.

quote:

---

Now I'm thinking that since these are going to be hunting loads I should just seat to the cannelure and crimp.

What say you?? Crimp or not?

---

Try the loads without crimping, and then try crimping them with a Lee Factory Crimp Die, and see which gives you better accuracy. With the Lee Factory Crimp Die you can crimp anywhere, without regard to whether you are crimping on a cannelure.

I use the Lee Factory Crimp Die as well with very good results. I'm a firm believer in full length resizing and crimping. I find less shot to shot difference in accuracy and velocity. Bill T.

quote:

---

Originally posted by stubblejumper:
I don't crimp any rounds for use in rifles unless they are for use in a tubular magazine.It's certainly not necessary for your blr.

---

Yup, I agree but with one minor exception and that's with cartridges for a double rifle. The recoil of the rifle can have a tendency to pull the bullet from the case and can eventually litterally pull it totally out of the case if the lands permit such a thing.

Also all heavy recoiling revolver cartridges should be crimped...but we are talking rifles here.

Not necessary to crimp the small calibers like a 358 Win...and you certainly don't want to crimp without a crimping groove so your fine....

I crimp big bores like 375 H&H and up..I crimp magazine rifles like the 30-30 in a Mod. 94 Winchester..

Taper crimp dies are nice and you can used them under about all conditions if you wish...

a
Another alternative is to remove several thousands off your resizing button and use a powder that pretty well fills the case, that combination works as well as a crimp, even on big bores like a 500 N.E....