Dies for .38 Special?

[flycaster]

Hi, Folks. I have a lot of experience loading 9mm and .45acp. I now have a Model 67, and want to start loading for it. My question: Some of the commercial ammo I've purchased has a taper crimp, others a roll crimp. If I want a roll crimp on my reloads, how do I know if the dies I purchase will give me that? I've been using Lee carbide dies in the other calibers, so may well get their .38 set. Does a roll crimp improve fast reloads with a speed loader, or is there another reason for it? Thanks for any info you can share.

Chuck, who just like shooting a revolver!

 

[OKFC05]

The Lee .357/.38 carbide dies work fine.
I prefer the 4 die set so you can seat and crimp on different stations.

It is not so important for most .38 loads, but for .357 magnum loads, particularly with slow powder, a firm roll crimp is important to consistency.
A taper crimp die is not needed for .38 if you know how to adjust a crimp die, and your brass is close to the same length.
There is nothing wrong with having a taper crimp die for light .38 loads.

 

[Rule3]

Lee revolver dies roll crimp. Lee Semi auto dies taper crimp.

Most revolver bullets (lead) have a cannelure hence the roll crimp to keep the bullets from moving in the case while in the cylinders from recoil.

 

[flycaster]

Just what I wanted to know. Thanks. I'll be shooting light .38's only. I'll have factory +P HP's for more serious work.

Chuck

 

[Rule3]

Just what I wanted to know. Thanks. I'll be shooting light .38's only. I'll have factory +P HP's for more serious work.

Chuck

Anytime.

I use the Lee factory crimp om everything. Might be a wasted step on revolver loads but I like crimping as a separate stage.

With the 3 die set. you can adjust the crimp anywhere from very light to very heavy. So if you are using bullets without a crimp grove or plated bullets you can crimp very lightly just to hold the bullet. If to hard a crimp, you will make a groove in the bullet.

 

[Joed49]

I know someone that taper crimps revolver cartridges and gets good results. Don't know if he buys the dies separate.

 

[j2flan]

Just taking a break from loading 148gr wc for my "67. I have LEE dies and get good looking/accurate rounds, adjust the dies right and you can`t do better. good luck

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I also like to use a Lee Factory Crimp die on all my handgun ammo. Like said above, it may be a wasted step on .38 Special target ammo but I like the consistency it brings to my ammo.

 

[David LaPell]

I have loaded tons of .38 Specials on my Lee carbide dies and probably would never use anything else. For me the roll crimp is the way to go but I can't see it making any difference in reloads though.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Well count me as one who always seats the bullet and crimps in one step. That is what most seating/crimp dies are designed to do. Not very difficult if you follow the instructions that come with the dies. I use either RCBS or Hornady dies for all my revolver dies. Yes, they provide a roll crimp. Most dies for revolver cartridges are designed to roll crimp, not taper crimp. Just set the die so the crimp rolls over into the crimping groove (cannelure).

 

[ISOM]

Taper or Roll Crimp?

ROLL CRIMP:
You have to keep all your brass trimmed to a standard length.

TAPER CRIMP:
A taper crimp snugges the case around the bullet.
The cheap way to find out if you want to taper crimp is to
remove the decapping stim, from the sizing die. Re-adjust
the die for crimping...