Lee Collet Style Crimp Die - 38/357

[38SPL HV]

I see that Lee makes a collet type crimp die for 38/357. Buffalo Bore uses a similar collet crimp in their priced. I have also seen Winchester use a similar crimp.

I've use their collet crimp die for my 30-30, and it really worked well.

Was wondering whether it would be worth a try with 38/357 Mag loads?

 

[38SPL HV]

...there goes spell check again...I see that Buffalo Bore uses a collet style crimp with their 38/357 loads...

 

[colt_saa]

Lee makes a 357 Collet Crimp die, there is no catalogued Collet Crimp die for 38 Special. You could get one as a special order if you want one

Remember, the Collet is made to a specific length, it is not adjustable.

I use one for my 357 loads all the time.

 

[BruceM]

I've use their collet crimp die for my 30-30, and it really worked well.

Was wondering whether it would be worth a try with 38/357 Mag loads?

My first question would be: Is a standard roll crimp die not working?

Bruce

 

[38SPL HV]

Standard roll crimp ok, but willing to try something different. Always looking at ways to improve things. Not afraid of new stuff even at my age.

 

[38SPL HV]

Colt saa - I see that Lee makes a collet die which accommodates both 38 Spl and 357 Mag now - Midwayusa has them on sale.

 

[Engineer1911]

It is difficult to improve on a roll crimped revolver round. The bullet is not going to move in or out of the case if the crimp is in the bullet crimp groove (cannellure) .

 

[Alk8944]

Eric,

First, before you waste any money on the Lee .357 Magnum Collet Die, it is specific to .357, not .38/.357. Because of the way these work a single die cannot be used with 2 cartridges with different case lengths! Funny how the ".38/.357" compatibility has been so ingrained that that is how we read it, even if that is not what it says!

357 Magnum Custom Collet Style Crimp Die - Lee Precision

What I found humorous is this remark in the description of the .357 die: "Makes these very difficult to crimp cartridges a delight to reload." Difficult???? Any straight case???? What have I been missing all these years that I didn't discover how difficult it is to crimp .357 Magnum.

Final observation. If there was any reason that a collet style crimp was in any way an improvement over the standard roll crimp for revolver cartridges it is relatively certain the factories would do it this way, and none do that I am aware of! I cannot see any reason for this die, not even for .357 to be used in rifles!

 

[Clovishound]

Perhaps this style crimp may be of value for those who choose to use a plated bullet without a canelure.

For me, I just buy bullets with a canelure and roll crimp them.

 

[Paul105]

As mentioned above, the ones I have (special ordered by Ranch Dog Ind) are case specific (357 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 Colt).

These dies can be useful when using mixed cases of varied length -- normal roll crimp can crumple cases -- not so with collet die.

Here's a picture of some .357 Mag cases roll crimped on my Dillon SDB, then collet crimped. Reason was that the dillon roll crimp, for some reason, turned up a little lip at the case mouth.

From left to right
185gr LFNGC from Beartooth Bullets crimped in crimp grove
180gr Hornady JHP Dual Crimp, crimped in top crimp grove
173gr Keith 357429 from Western Bullets crimped over front dr band
173gr Keith? from Leadheads crimped on front drive band
173gr Keith? from Leadheads crimped in crimp grove

I my experience, case neck tension provides the majority of bullet retention -- no amount/type of crimp will make up for lack proper neck tension in straight walled handgun cases.

38SPCLHV -- I say, give it a try, you don't have much to lose except a bit of lunch money.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[mikld]

I've used the Redding Profile crimp on my revolver ammo for many years. Looks, feels, gives a much more even crimp, better than a standard roll, but performance wise, not a lot of difference. I'd try a collet crimp on my 357 Mag ammo if someone gave me a die, as I don't see much chance of any improvement...

 

[BruceM]

normal roll crimp can crumple cases

Most anything can be made to malfunction. In this instance however, it would take a fair amount of effort or carelessness to crumple a .357 or .38 Special case because these rounds don't require a major amount of crimp. Also, as previously mentioned, crimping is not a substitute for neck tension although I understand it becomes more of a factor in magnum rounds above the power level of .44 magnum. I think that's the point where the Redding Profile crimp becomes an actual advantage.

Bruce

 

[Greenjoytj]

Thanks to Paul105 for the photos of his collet crimped cartridges. I have recently tried using a Redding Profile crimp die and it produced crimps that look exactly like the crimps shown in your photo. I was not sure if I had over crimped when the die produced that thin parallel sided ring just above the rolled in portion. Its nice to know that is how its suppose to look. It is very similar to crimp formed by my LEE FCD collet die but the Redding Profile die make a smoother looking crimp just like in your photo.

 

[Tex1001]

I've adapted 357 & 44 mag to crimp 38 & 44 specials

the Collet is made to a specific length, it is not adjustable.

I have adapted both the 357 mag and 44mag collet crimp dies to crimp 38 special and 44 special by shortening the collets and die bodies by around .1". I can't find my original prints, but if anyone wants dimensions, I can disassemble and re measure.
_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.

 

[Wise_A]

Sweet! I've been interested in collet crimping for a little bit now. I just might have to grab one of those Redding dies for my .44s.

 

[Tex1001]

Sweet! I've been interested in collet crimping for a little bit now. I just might have to grab one of those Redding dies for my .44s.

Redding's description of their profile crimp die says that it uses a floating sleeve to deliver a roll crimp
Lee makes the only collet crimp die to my knowledge.
_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.

 

[Wise_A]

Huh. The Lee's a bit cheaper, too. Although let's be honest, I really ain't so good as to need it. Rationally, the attraction is:

(a) It's non-standard, and
(b) It looks pretty

But that doesn't stop me from wanting it!

 

[KneverKnew]

I try and get a Lee Factory Crimp die for most all of my calibers. Now that I have my Model 10-10 CDC trade-in, I need a LFCD for 38 Special. My question is what is the main difference between the Lee CARBIDE Factory Crimp Dies and the LEE Collet Factory Crimp Dies...other than the obvious? I see that the collet dies are used for all rifle cases, and generally the carbide crimp dies are for straight walled pistol cases. But I see that some straight walled cases also have collet style crimp dies as well. Can anyone tell me, is one more desirable over the other, and if so, for what reason?

 

[colt_saa]

I try and get a Lee Factory Crimp die for most all of my calibers. Now that I have my Model 10-10 CDC trade-in, I need a LFCD for 38 Special. My question is what is the main difference between the Lee CARBIDE Factory Crimp Dies and the LEE Collet Factory Crimp Dies...other than the obvious? I see that the collet dies are used for all rifle cases, and generally the carbide crimp dies are for straight walled pistol cases. But I see that some straight walled cases also have collet style crimp dies as well. Can anyone tell me, is one more desirable over the other, and if so, for what reason?

A LEE FCD with the carbide insert resizes the loaded cartridge and then applies a roll crimp for revolver cartridges or a taper crimp for auto loader cartridges. Some folks do not like this as in certain cases teh projectile can get squeezed down a bit thus reducing neck tension

LEE also makes the Collet style crimp die for rifle cartridges or bottleneck handgun cartridges. This does not resize the case. It imparts a collet crimp even if the projectile does not have a cannelure. This is the most even crimp style.

You will notice that for the most part the straight wall pistol cartridges that LEE makes the Collet crimp die for are also rifle cartridges. 357 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 45LC, etc.

I MUCH prefer a collet crimp to a roll crimp. The 357SIG Collet crimp die is a GODsend. It has made many lighter weight projectiles viable for the 357SIG cartridge that would not otherwise work with the 357SIGs short neck.