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Thread: Roll or taper crimp for 357 mag with cast boolits

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Roll or taper crimp for 357 mag with cast boolits

    Shooting from revolvers and lever rifles what crimp are folks using with lead boolits?

  2. #2
    Boolit Bub

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    Why not try the Lee Factory Crimp Die? I just ordered one for 38spl.

    old benn

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by old benn View Post
    Why not try the Lee Factory Crimp Die? I just ordered one for 38spl.

    old benn
    I have one. It's a roll type crimper.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master VHoward's Avatar
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    I use a roll crimp on my 357 mag. Worked, so never tried anything else.

  5. #5
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    I have always roll crimped as well, but recently bought a taper crimp die for the .357 because I have a couple of molds designed for the 9mm I want to try if they drop .358 or bigger and neither has a crimping groove.

    I am also told that uniform case lengths is less important with a taper crimp.

  6. #6
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    Rule of thumb; bullets with crimp groove or cannalure get a roll crimp. Bullets without groove/cannalure get a taper crimp. Of course there may be exceptions but if you load for a revolver, roll crimp in the crimp groove. If loading for semi-autos, observe book OAL and taper crimp...

    A Lee FCD is a poor choice for loading with cast bullets. Normally, cast bullets are larger than jacketed bullets and the "post seating/crimping" feature of an FCD often swages lead bullets undersize. BTDT, so my Lee FCD now resides in a landfill somewhere in S.Oregon. Not a Lee hater, just believe that if one learns how to properly adjust their dies, there is no need for an FCD. You will be better off with a standard roll crimp die (or a Redding Profile Crimp die)...
    Last edited by mdi; 02-20-2016 at 12:30 AM.
    My Anchor is holding fast!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Roll crimp for revolvers.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by richhodg66 View Post
    I have always roll crimped as well, but recently bought a taper crimp die for the .357 because I have a couple of molds designed for the 9mm I want to try if they drop .358 or bigger and neither has a crimping groove.

    I am also told that uniform case lengths is less important with a taper crimp.
    Bingo!

    Winelover

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

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    Roll crimp.
    Maker of Silver Boolits for Werewolf hunting

  10. #10
    Boolit Bub
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    The short answer is roll crimp.

    that said, the Redding Profile Crimp Die is a combination roll/taper die. It's a few $ more, but, IMHO worth it.

    Pass on the Lee FCD.
    Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth. Sherlock Holmes

  11. #11
    Boolit Master Ole Joe Clarke's Avatar
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    As someone has already said: If the bullet/boolit has a crimp groove, use a roll crimp. No crimp groove, use a taper crimp.

    Have a blessed day,

    Leon

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    I use a taper crimp for quite a few things. I use one on 500 Linebaugh, 510 GNR, 50 Bowen special, 44 mags and spl, etc. Works very well.

    take care

    r1kk1

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Roll crimp. It works so never found the need to try taper crimping

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    Roll 'em

  15. #15
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    Well it would appear that the same rules apply to boolits and bullets. Mystery solved, thanks for the input guys!

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy 380AUTO's Avatar
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    I reload 357 more than anything Ive always used a roll crimp with great success.
    Proud to serve, U.S. Army Infantry

  17. #17
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    roll crimp

  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master bedbugbilly's Avatar
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    I always use a roll crimp on cast and 38 spl & 357. The only time I use a taper crimp is when I'm loading 38 Colt Short cartridge with a cast boolit . . . for those, I taper crimp and use my 9mm taper crimp die.

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
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    I roll crimp all revolver and levergun rounds...unless..there is no crimp groove where I want the crimp and then I use a taper crimp on the bullet sides.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by mdi View Post
    Rule of thumb; bullets with crimp groove or cannalure get a roll crimp. Bullets without groove/cannalure get a taper crimp. Of course there may be exceptions but if you load for a revolver, roll crimp in the crimp groove. If loading for semi-autos, observe book OAL and taper crimp...
    Nailed it.

    I should add that in the start of my reloading I used what ever I had. As I learned and got to understand more and could afford more tools for the trade I changed my ways.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check