38 Special Load w/RNP Bullet Load Data Needed

[WR Moore]

Berry's is a bit timid on crimp, but it's understandable. If anyone has doubts, seat the bullet deeper and roll crimp over the shoulder. I did that initially until I got an appropriate taper crimp die.

 

[sniper]

Crimping and plated bullets

Would you recommend I buy separate crimp die for these .357 RNP Berry's bullets to do a taper crimp? Can I get by with the seat / crimp die in the Lee 3 die set? I should have paid attention with these bullets - no crimp groove. Unfortunately, I have 500 so they will last me awhile. Any advice is appreciated. I just plan to use for target shooting. I have loaded several hundreds 38 spl rounds but they all had the crimp groove.
Thanks!

jmiles; I loaded some Berry's plated, no crimp groove .38 bullets last year. I mis adjusted my seat/roll crimp die badly. I pulled the bullets, and found they were wasp-waisted, but NO cutting of the plating! I trim my .357 cases for consistency, and gently chamfer the interior and exterior to remove the trimming jaggeds and smooth the surface, which I think helped prevent cutting the plating.
Not that I agree with a serious roll crimp on any bullet, plated or not, that doesn't have a crimp groove or cannelure. If I am roll crimping, I just move the case mouth against the bullet, or change to my taper crimp die, which will also provide a roll crimp if wanted. As in most things reloading...check, check again, and take it easy! Enjoy!

 

[sniper]

I'm somewhat of a newbie reloader and was unable to find data for a load I'm doing:

1. using bullet: Berry's RNP (round nose plated) 158 gr (1250 fps rated max)
2. using powder: W-231
3. Grains for load: ? - I'm target shooting w/S&W 586
4. OAL for cartridge?

Any help or recommends for this load would be appreciated. My books didn't list any round nose bullets. Guess I should have picked something else!
Thanks guys!

Berry's website says you can use lead bullet loading data with their bullets.
Caution! HP-38-W-231 loads are small, compared to some. Belt and suspenders, perhaps, but a visual check with a flashlight will discover a no load, or a double charge. Differences in pressure between a 158 gr. round nose bullet and a Semi Wadcutter should be relatively minor, but that's why it is recommended that any time a component is changed, the load should be reduced by 5-10% until it can be determined what, if any harmful effects there are. Good Luck!