.223 Military Crimp

kueblerkt · 09-21-2011, 18:34

Is there any way to tell if .223 brass has a military crimp just by looking at it? I don't have a crimp remover yet and would like to know before I accidentally start smashing primers. Thanks!!

JBnTX · 09-21-2011, 18:47

5.56 ammo generally has the crimp, while .223 ammo does not.

Military "surplus" and even foreign military ammo will have the crimp.
It seems if it was intended for military use, it will have crimped primers

Civilian .223 ammo most likely will not be crimped.

Look closely at the primer and sometimes you can see the crimp,
sometimes you can't.

If it's foreign ammo, also watch out for Berdan primers.
They'll do more damage than a crimped in Boxer primer.

.

Boxerglocker · 09-21-2011, 18:50

Normally there is a light ring impression around the primer.

El_Ron1 · 09-21-2011, 19:39

Crimped:

Bultx1215 · 09-21-2011, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBnTX

5.56 ammo generally has the crimp, while .223 ammo does not.

Military "surplus" and even foreign military ammo will have the crimp.
It seems if it was intended for military use, it will have crimped primers

Civilian .223 ammo most likely will not be crimped.

Look closely at the primer and sometimes you can see the crimp,
sometimes you can't.

If it's foreign ammo, also watch out for Berdan primers.
They'll do more damage than a crimped in Boxer primer.

.

Most if not all Federal .223 and PMC .223 will be crimped. Civvy stuff, not military.

Zombie Steve · 09-21-2011, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBnTX

Look closely at the primer and sometimes you can see the crimp,
sometimes you can't.

.

Never had an invisible primer crimp.

Boxerglocker · 09-21-2011, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombie Steve

Never had an invisible primer crimp.

Neither have I, must be my Ray Charles shades preventing me from seeing the invisible crimp

Zombie Steve · 09-21-2011, 23:19

I'm going to hell in Titegroup underpants.

El_Ron1 · 09-22-2011, 01:37

You know they gonna be loadin' NT SPP brass on Loadmasters down there!

Zombie Steve · 09-22-2011, 07:15

Im a changin' my wicked ways now, Mullah.

El_Ron1 · 09-22-2011, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Ron1

You know they gonna be loadin' NT SPP brass on Loadmasters down there!

Well, tryin' to anyway.

scattershot · 09-22-2011, 09:35

Military brass will have crimped in primers, for use in automatic weapons. You can see the ring around the primer pocket.

As a side note, some foreign ammo uses Berdan primers as well (two flash holes with a built-in anvil) that will ruin a decapping pin in short order, so be aware of that, too.

GioaJack · 09-22-2011, 10:57

There are two main forms of crimping methods which are easily recognized. The first, and most commonly used is the 'ringed crimp', the primer pocket is surrounded by a 'ring' of crimped over metal that prevents the primer from backing out during recoil and rough handling commonly found in military combat. i.e. air dropping of supplies, ground transportation, etc.

The second type of crimping method is the 'triangle dot' method. Three dots, forming a triangle surrounding the primer are crimped in toward the primer which in effect accomplishes the same thing as a ringed crimped system. This method is not as common as it once was .

If I wasn't so lazy I'd pull out some pictures and post them... hey, I'm old, I ain't gonna do it.

Jack

Colorado4Wheel · 09-22-2011, 11:29

Anyone but me notice how Lucid Jack has been lately?

El_Ron1 · 09-22-2011, 11:49

You won't see that with ObamaCare®.

GioaJack · 09-22-2011, 11:51

Women are starting to have an adverse effect on me... I'm getting worried.

Jack

Agent6-3/8 · 09-22-2011, 13:35

Does the ringed crimp cause issues with reloading?

PCJim · 09-22-2011, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent6-3/8

Does the ringed crimp cause issues with reloading?

Yes - if not removed, you will be lucky to be able to seat a new primer. While it can sometimes be done, odds are that you will crush the new primer trying to do so.

Once the crimp is removed, the brass can be reloaded just like non-crimped brass. BTW, the crimp only has to be removed one time, so mark your processed cases so you can avoid duplicating unnecessary work on your recovered brass. I use a sharpie line across mine..

Agent6-3/8 · 09-22-2011, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCJim

Yes - if not removed, you will be lucky to be able to seat a new primer. While it can sometimes be done, odds are that you will crush the new primer trying to do so.

Once the crimp is removed, the brass can be reloaded just like non-crimped brass. BTW, the crimp only has to be removed one time, so mark your processed cases so you can avoid duplicating unnecessary work on your recovered brass. I use a sharpie line across mine..

Ah, I see. What tool is best used to remove the crimp?

Sorry for all the dumb questions, but I'm jsut getting into rifle reloading after years with pistols and shotguns.

El_Ron1 · 09-22-2011, 20:20

Good:

or:

Better:

Best:

More pics of crimps:

PCJim · 09-22-2011, 20:24

Several tools are available. Dillon's Super Swage is probably the easiest manual tool to use. RCBS makes another swage tool as does CH4D.

The alternative to swaging is reaming. Hornady makes a great unit, and several other companies make similar tools. Wilson and Forester make adapters for their trimmers that will ream pockets.

I didn't mention the difference between the two. Swaging is the process of pushing/forcing the brass back to it's original position (or enough of it to open the pocket up). Reaming is actually removing the brass that blocks the pocket.

frankmako · 09-22-2011, 20:38

I use the Dillon's Super Swage. Fast and easy.

Fwdftw · 09-22-2011, 20:41

in for dillon