Need for crimping brass when reloading?

[AlanK]

Hi all,

New to reloading so forgive the stupid questions

I've recently picked up some Hornady A-Max and Hornady SST bullets for my .308

The A-Max bullets have regular old flat sides, but the SST bullets have the grooves for crimping the brass into the bullet.

What's it for basically?

Should I be sticking to crimped bullets or some reason? Obviously there are plenty of bullet types which don't use it so what's the story?

[AlanK]

Forgot to say, this is for regular target shooting and hunting if it matters...

[ebr love]

It simply holds the bullet in the brass... Prevents it from pushing back or coming lose.

[Hatter]

It simply holds the bullet in the brass... Prevents it from pushing back or coming lose.

Certain bullets are prone to falling out of the brass? or... ?

[Ariat]

I was under the impression it's really only for full-auto's where there is lots of vibration/force etc.

[Chickenhawk]

I was under the impression it's really only for full-auto's where there is lots of vibration/force etc.

Correct.

It's for automatic rifles and high-powered bolt actions with serious recoil.

You're talking .416 Rigby etc. for it to matter for a bolt action though, not .308.

[John445]

The A-Max bullets have regular old flat sides, but the SST bullets have the grooves for crimping the brass into the bullet.

What's it for basically?

Nothing wrong with using crimped rounds in your .308, but it's not going to be a defining factor for you.

Which ever round shoots best, use that one.

[Aster]

Which ever round shoots best, use that one.

This is the ticket.