Just ordered one to try on my 38 Spl 158 gr loads. Good price point, and good way to experiment with taper crimp before dropping bucks on a more expensive taper crimp die.

Any experiences with the Lee Taper Crimp die?

Groo here
I use mine for plated bullets to not cut the plating.
PS, if the crimp works for you , you will not need another die!!!

Exactly what I use them for too.

The Lee taper crimp die is as good as ANY other taper crimp die and better than some. Unless you like wasting money, that will be the LAST .38 taper crimp die you'll buy.
Personally, I use a Redding Profile Crimp die for all roll crimp operations and it can be backed down to be just a taper crimp die.
Hope none of your .38 bullets walk out of the case due to recoil and lack of roll crimp.
If you have to shoot plated bullets, be sure to lightly chamfer your cases inside and out to prevent any cutting of the plating due to burrs.

I use Lee FCD in every handgun caliber I load, which are pretty much all of them. I have a very experienced friend who recommended the Redding die but I haven't tried one yet.

Same here, for plated bullets. I agree you will not need to buy a different taper die or spend more money. The Lee die does just fine IMO.

__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Thanks - I'll report back to the forum with results. I shoot swaged lead at 38 Spl +P velocities in Ruger Blackhawk - I don't they they will creep out.

...now 13.5 grs/158 gr SWC and 2400 in 357 Mag cases is another story (only heavy roll crimp with those - but I don't load Magnum velocities anymore preferring 357 Magnum factory ammo when I do shoot Magnum levels)

Received and loaded up fifty 38 Spl +P 158 gr Speer LSWCs with 5.0 grs Universal. Followed Lee's instructions and used half turn.

Accuracy was better than roll crimp versions with the same components and charge. Bullets did not jump either in my Ruger Blackhawk or in a S&W 642.

I will continue to use roll crimps in my cast 158 gr SWCs in both 38 Spl +P and mid range 357 Magnum. With soft swaged bullets as Speer's, I will now on use Lee's taper crimp die.

Yes.

I follow the rule of not crimping bullets unless they have a cannelure, but if they do have a cannelure, it gets crimped. I load and shoot 158 grain jacketed hollow points exclusively. These have a cannelure. The Lee Taper Crimp Die does a good job of producing a crimp that can be readily adjusted from mild to heavy.

I use one often. One of my favorite .38 loads is a 125 gr SNS cast & coated LRN over 700X. The bullet does not have a crimp groove so I taper crimp it and it is one of the most accurate .38 loads I've ever used in my gun. It's close to max for a standard (non-+P) .38 load and I suffer no bullet pull.

I've used taper crimp dies, roll crimp dies, both together, and the Redding Profile Crimp Die. In my experience you are no more likely to experience bullet pull with a taper crimp vs a roll crimp. In fact it may be more likely with the roll crimp. You only need both (or the Redding Die) for the really heavy magnum loads. If then.

I'm not overly fond of Lee dies but their taper crimp dies are fine, I have a couple.

If you have a set of Lee 9 mm Luger dies you can use the taper crimp die from that set to taper crimp 38 special and 357 magnum...works just fine and no need to spend extra money on a separate special die .
More than likely that special taper crimp die is the exact same one that comes in the 9mm Luger , 38 Super , 38 acp and 357 SIG die sets...knowing how Lee repurposes things ...but that's a good thing. I like Lee dies .
Gary

I use it for all my .38Spl loads.Saves me from trimming which is an operation I hate in reloading.Loads are very accurate.For .357,I use roll crimp.
Qc

Lee 38SPL Taper Crimp Die, overcomes crimp problems caused by poor die design. Offers little or no advantage when used with 1986 or newer Lee Dies as the crimp angle is already a modified taper crimp

Taper Crimp Die 38spl - Lee Precision

__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

I taper crimp all loads as well, because I hate trimming, and relatively minor to moderate variations in case length have much less effect on the tightness of the crimp.