Zero 158 LSWC .357" OAL

[SW CQB 45]

I have always used hard cast 158's and a recent inspect of my stock of 158ers show many inconsistencies with sample examination...so I bought swaged Zero's.

I opened to box today to load some for a match on wed.....and noticed the slug design of the Zero is a lil different than what I is used to on 158s.

I am used to a crimping groove and set OAL based on the groove position on the slug.

The Zero's do not have a tapered in crimp groove but looking at it with late 40 eyes....appears to just be a step down just above the top lube band.

Are the slugs designed to be set just above the top lube band and set deeper and use the step down in OD as the crimp area?

This is for target velocity loads and will not be anything substantial when it comes to the crimp.

Those who use this slug....your OAL please?

My hard cast Sundance slugs with the tapered in crimp groove were last set at 1.465"

TIA

 

[Alk8944]

There are several different shapes to crimp grooves, properly called a cannellure. They can be tapered, round, "V" shaped, or simply a rolled in knurled band. Regardless of shape, seat the bullet so the case mouth is centered in the cannellure.

Don't worry about cartridge OAL, that is listed in manuals as a reference only, and really only means something when bullets that do not have a cannellure are used. For revolver cartridges, all the OAL listed means is, in essence, "With our specific bullet, when seated to the cannellure, will have an overall length of 1.xx" ". It is for information and derivitive, it is not a specification.

 

[SW CQB 45]

thanks ALK.

obviously the slug needs to be pushed down beyond the last lube ring.

if you were loading this slug, would you stop prior to what I am calling the step down?

I may try and test a few with varying OAL lengths.

I did find an article on the net which only referred to the OAL of this slug with a load as ~1.450"ish~. you got to be kidding!!!!!!!!$&*#$&$^(*

TFL

 

[sza]

1.450" sounds like a .38 special length. To convert it to .357mag, add .125, resulting in 1.575", which is in the normal range for .357mag seating depth.

Any OAL with the case mouth above the top grease groove that will chamber in your revolver is fine in my opinion. I wouldn't get too hung up on using the "step down". When you crimp the case it'll form its own crimp groove in the bullet.

 

[trulyapostolic]

I use those same bullets in a 14-4 and crimp just forward of, what you call, a step down. I don't have any problems crimping there nor do I feel it affects accuracy. The gun shoots around 2 1/2" @ 50 yards.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I use those same bullets in a 14-4 and crimp just forward of, what you call, a step down. I don't have any problems crimping there nor do I feel it affects accuracy. The gun shoots around 2 1/2" @ 50 yards.

thanks for the info