Crimp .223

I have never owned an M die but I have used the dropper style .223 bullet feeders and these cases are not even chamfered, just trimmed with the Dillon trimmer.

jmorris said:

I have never owned an M die but I have used the dropper style .223 bullet feeders and these cases are not even chamfered, just trimmed with the Dillon trimmer.

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Were those bullets boat tails? That would certainly make it easier to stick em.

If I remember right, the early KISS required a weighted bullet stack above the dropped bullet to "stick" those bullets well. Later post KISS M.B.F.'s include a similar "M" expander in the powder die to replace Dillon's.....the difference being the extra step... allowing a single bullet to drop and stick without a stack weight behind it.

I have always had the Lee collet crimp die in station 6 of my Dillon. I might not have any need to crimp .223 but it doesn't cost me any extra time to crimp them.

I have Lee collet crimp dies in most all my Dillon 650 heads. It seems like most of the crimp dies were under $20.

If I remember right, the early KISS required a weighted bullet stack above the dropped bullet to "stick" those bullets well. Later post KISS M.B.F.'s include a similar "M" expander in the powder die to replace Dillon's

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All of the “droppers” rely on a tamp of the bullet, even if you can’t buy boattail bullets in that caliber. Like this Hornady 9mm feeder.



The powder funnels for bottle neck cases, on Dillon and other equipment do not incorporate expanders and my KISS as well as MBF feeders are the same in that respect.

Expanders for bottleneck cases are on the decapping pin on Dillon’s and there is also one on the backup rod for the swage station on the 1050.

Pistol 1050, backup rod expander/flare only powder die (left), all other Dillon pistol powder funnels with expander and flare portion (center left), all Dillon bottle neck powder dies (center right), if you tried to incorporate any expander in a powder die for .223 you would be in powder bridging heaven as it’s already a problem with some extruded powders even without trying to expand and flow powder through an even tinier hole than the bullet diameter, and on the right the 1050 back up rod/expander.



That said, expanders can differ quite a bit, even from the same manufacturer. The 3 on the right are all .30 cal Lee ones, technically #2 is just a mandrel but serves the purpose of a minimum.

Sorry, I was confusing pistol with rifle ..... the M style expander MBF has is for pistol only. Like shown below:


Just peeked in Dillon's site on the MBF's they sell and they said as much.....in fact they said rifle versions require boat tails! (See the line highlighted in Green.)
https://www.dillonprecision.com/mr-bulletfeeder-caliber-conversions_8_131_26507.html

It then appears the new RCBS tube rifle bullet feeder with it's "M" style die is more unique than I thought. No powder bridging because it's not a powder thru expander, it happens in station 2 and powder is dropped in station 3. The video I posted fed one single bullet in the tube.......no weighted stack or push required. No boat tails either. A Dillon electric case collator for it is an "option". I may have to buy one yet....

Below left is the M style die & it's expander. Bullet dropper on the right, maybe a 2" drop to the case is all...video bullet was a tiny 53 grain flat base.

Well my two cents worth!
I always chamfer the inside and outside of my bottle necked rifle brass. When I trim it I also do it then again. This has worked well for flat based bullets both plated and jacketed. Never used lead bullets on 223 yet so never tried expanding the necks on those.

As far as crimping I always try my loads both ways once I find an accurate load. For me my most accurate ammo is always without crimp. I do crimp if it will be used in a tubular mag or revolver though as it is needed then. YMMV

It then appears the new RCBS tube rifle bullet feeder with it's "M" style die is more unique than I thought. No powder bridging because it's not a powder thru expander, it happens in station 2 and powder is dropped in station 3.

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At times I use an expander on its own, the Sinclair style I have found helps reduce runout at times and it’s easy for me to machine “one off” inserts for them.

I have wondered a number of times why RCBS didn’t just make a device that would throw one bullet at a time in their already very good, Gold Metal Match window seat dies? Would save a station for something useful like powder check or your separate expander.

https://www.rcbs.com/reloading-dies/rifle/353467.html

Looks like they have a new version too called the Matchmaster.

https://www.rcbs.com/reloading-dies/matchmaster/1953262.html

jmorris said:

.....I have wondered a number of times why RCBS didn’t just make a device that would throw one bullet at a time in their already very good, Gold Metal Match window seat dies? Would save a station for something useful like powder check or your separate expander.

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Actually they DID make such a one station device on their discontinued Rifle bullet feeder collator. Since this is off topic a bit, I'll just message you with the details.

It only takes one bullet set back to ruin your day.... I crimp everything.

When loading 223 I inside and outside chamfer then load. If it holds after 10 wacks with a bullet puller and the bullet doesn’t move, it doesn’t get a crimp. That said, I haven’t crimped one in years and many thousands of rounds. I’m loading 55 grain fmjbt bullets with no cannelure.

Really? Mine can pull factory ammo with crimped-in cannelure bullets in .223 with 3 or 4 whacks on a concrete floor......course mine's h.m. made of gas pipe....

GW Staar said:

Really? Mine can pull factory ammo with crimped-in cannelure bullets in .223 with 3 or 4 whacks on a concrete floor......course mine's h.m. made of gas pipe....

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GW-

Great idea, Any stats on how you made it?

Offtopic post erased as I promised....almost forgot.....late...sorry.

Kind of sad that others can't understand how to safely build and use a purpose built tool IMHO.
But on the other hand I have seen some poor advice passed around on the web as well.
I have a press mounted puller and got a hammer type at an estate sale years ago for hand gun bullets or I eventually would have done the same from that article.

I do a very light crimp on bullets with cannelure. But a lot of bullets I shoot out of my ARs don't have one so they don't get crimped. I have never had any issues.