Shooting from revolvers and lever rifles what crimp are folks using with lead boolits?
Shooting from revolvers and lever rifles what crimp are folks using with lead boolits?
Why not try the Lee Factory Crimp Die? I just ordered one for 38spl.
old benn
I use a roll crimp on my 357 mag. Worked, so never tried anything else.
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.
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!
Roll crimp for revolvers.
Roll crimp.
Maker of Silver Boolits for Werewolf hunting
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
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
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
Roll crimp. It works so never found the need to try taper crimping
Roll 'em
Well it would appear that the same rules apply to boolits and bullets. Mystery solved, thanks for the input guys!
I reload 357 more than anything Ive always used a roll crimp with great success.
Proud to serve, U.S. Army Infantry
roll crimp
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.
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.
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 |