North Fork Bullets: To Crimp or not to Crimp

[JimW]

I am getting ready to try the North Fork 400gr SS, in .416 caliber. The mouth of the case will not be located in a groove, and no cannelure is present. I understand Lee states that it is not necessary to have a groove or cannelure to crimp into, but will crimping really be necessary or helpful with the North Fork line? Some bullet manufacturers specifically state not to crimp into a bullet without some type of crimping recess. I was wondering what those of you who have used the North Fork bullets do when seating their bullets. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I always crimp hunting loads as I've seen bullets get pushed back that were in the magazine. I really don't know if that was with NFs or some other bullet. I didn't figure it mattered and started crimping since then using a Lee FCD.

Now if in load development I may not if the plan is to load one at a time. Before settling on a load, I will crimp them to be certain accuracy was not affected. I've never seen it make a difference one way or the other.

I crimp regardless of whether there is a cannelure or not.