Lee factory crimp for 308

[nvminer]

Hey guys, I'm sure this has been covered somewhere, sometime, but I can't seem to find it with the search so here is my question: Who uses the Lee factory crimp die for reloading 308 and who uses the standard crimp/seater die that comes in something like an RCBS die set? I have both and would sure like to use the factory crimp die after having a lot of success with .223 using it. Just trying to get an idea if the final results will be drastically different? Thanks!

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Lee factory crimp for 308

Bolt action weapons do not need crimping, semi automatics it's a good idea to slightly crimp the bullet, IMHO it's never a good idea to use the crimping portion of any seating die, much better/uniform results come from a separate die, the LFCD works wonderfully on rifle rounds, on pistol rounds the LFCD sucks.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: Lee factory crimp for 308

The only time I would consider using a crimp is if I were using a cannalured bullet. Even then, it's not needed unless possibly on a 30-30 which is tube-fed. I've ran thousands un-crimped thru my M1-A & M1 Garand without problems. The AR-15 has less recoil than that.

Several years ago, there was a big ta-doo about crimping for better accuarcy but I couldn't make it prove out for me so quit crimping anything.

 

[nvminer]

Re: Lee factory crimp for 308

Thanks for the info! This is the first bolt gun that I have ever reloaded for so I'm still kind of learning the differences in reloading for this 700sps and my ar. Anyone that does crimp for 308 bolt guns?

 

[Gene Poole]

Re: Lee factory crimp for 308

I only ever use a factory crimp die when loading 147 gn mil-spec ammo for my M-14 (with the crimp groove). For precision rifle, you want a consistent neck tension and that is achieved with neck dies or Lee collet dies. The factory crimp is more for keeping the bullet seated squarely in adverse conditions (like battlefield conditions) where the cartridges are banged around all over the place.