Rem/Win 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP

[38SPL HV]

I just can’t understand why Remington is using less of a crimp on its 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP loading compared to its standard 38 Special 158 gr lead bullets (rnl and swc).

The fourth and fifth unfired Remington 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP rounds always move slightly out of their crimps when preceded by the first three firings in S&W j frame Airweight. The factory crimp on the +P rounds are so shallow that the case mouths catch my thumb nail...the standard velocity 38 Special 158 gr loadings don’t have this problem since they are crimped with a much more pronounced roll crimp.

Even Winchester’s 158 gr +P lead hollow point loads use a shallow crimp...

I fix the problem by running them through a Lee FCD for a stronger roll crimp...but one would think considering all the Airweights out there that they would use a firmer crimp on their 158 gr lead +P loads.

I have some thirty year old Win/Rem 38 Spl +P 158 gr lead hollow point loads and they all have firm and pronounced roll crimps.

Hats off to Buffalo Bore and Underwood 38 Spl 158 gr lead loads both +P and standard...their crimps are solid and NO movement with these in the Airweights!

Your experiences with current Rem and Win +P 158 gr lead hollow point loadings?

 

[schutz5]

Interesting observations.

What effect does this shallow crimp have upon firing the three subsequent shots?

 

[38SPL HV]

They slightly jump as a result of the first three shots...for example, I fire three shots and then checked the remaining fourth and fifth cartridges and these had slight bullet creep. Never happens with Buffalo Bore or Underwood lead rounds as well as jacketed +P ones.

I also never subject the unfired rounds to further firings...I just send them down range.