Need some crimp help on .38 special loads

[MrElectric03]

I just finished my first batch of .38 special.

Specs are:
Once fired .38 special brass
125 gr xtreme flat nose copper plated bullets w no cannelure
4.0 gr HP38
1.480 OAL
Loaded on Dillon XL650

I bought a lee taper crimp die to put in crimp in them and adjusted it to where I thought it was ok. During the run a had a couple case that the old primer didn't quite push all the way out and had to turn my decapping pin in a hair more. By the time I found that I had loaded four rounds with dead primers, so I put them aside to pull apart after I was done. I tested about half of all the loads in a case gauge and all fit fine.

Once I finished I pulled them apart and found that the crimp is so deep around the bullet to the point that it leaves a pretty good notch in the bullet. The bullet isn't overly tight in the case because it only takes two decent strikes with my kinetic bullet puller where the factory .40 and 9mm rounds I've pulley apart sometimes take 5-6 strikes but I've never had one come apart in two strikes.

Heres a picture of one of the bullets


So you guys that have more experience than I loading .38 spl, am I good to shoot these? In my mind since the crimp isn't holding it that hard it should be fine to shoot but I'd much rather be sure.

[thenodnarb]

Seems like way too much crimp. However, i'd be more worried about the bullet deforming than high pressure. Do they chamber ok? If so they are probably OK to shoot. Next time not so much crimp.

[MrElectric03]

Seems like way too much crimp. However, i'd be more worried about the bullet deforming than high pressure. Do they chamber ok? If so they are probably OK to shoot. Next time not so much crimp.

They still fit perfectly in the case gauge. Definitely going to play with the crimp die next time and pull a couple apart to check them.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

I just finished pulling a number of 40 cal plated bullets. I noticed the same thing on some of mine. All were loaded with the same press and dies. The only variable besides the possibility that the seating die wasn't snug was the brass. Case wall vary in thickness and that is why some of mine look swaged and others didn't.

I have since started reloading them. No problems with accuracy or leading.

[mark501w]

When thinking of a crimp on a revolver you want to make sure your bullets don't walk forward & tie up your cylinder. When loading the slow pistol powders you want to also have enough crimp to allow the powder to burn properly. I haven't used a taper crimp for revolver loads.

[MrElectric03]

Thanks for the advice guys, sounds like they'll be fine to shoot but I'll re-adjust the crimp before the next batch.

[rm1911]

Need some crimp help on .38 special loads

That's quite a crimp. I only use canelured bullets in my 38/357 loads. Seems your crimp is too aggressive, especially with the light load. That could cause excessive pressure buildup with a fast burning powder. Not needed in 38 due to light recoil. Usually you want a good crimp in magnum loads though.

I load on a dillon SDB so the dies are dillon proprietary. However the concept is the same. After you add the (slight) bell to seat bullet only crimp to straighten out case. Maybe an ever so slight roll crimp, just enough to ever so slightly turn the case mouth inwards. But not enough to damage bullet.

Use the cylinder as a test. Crimp until it seats fully then go a 1/4 turn more, then stop. Case neck tension should be good to hold bullet with that load.

[Jasonaspears]

Way too much crimp imo. You really don't need much. Set the FCD to just start to roll the crimp into the bullet and you should be fine.

[J-cat]

That's what happens when you try to crimp into a cannelure that does not exist.

Either use bullets with a cannelure so the case mouth can roll into "something", or taper crimp slightly, or seat the bullets deeper and crimp over the shoulder.

[Jasonaspears]

...or seat the bullets deeper and crimp over the shoulder.

With the right bullet.

[J-cat]

With the OP's bullet.

[Jasonaspears]

With the OP's bullet.

No increased pressure concerns?

[at_liberty]

I don't think evidence of the crimp slightly pinching the bullet is a bad thing. It becomes a question of degree and the purpose served by the crimp. I have Berry's for .38 Special as well as for my .41 Magnum. I would be more concerned about the magnum. K-a-boom!

[J-cat]

No increased pressure concerns?

Why would there be any?

Seat the bullet deeper, use data for 158gr, no pressure concerns.

[Jasonaspears]

Why would there be any?

Seat the bullet deeper, use data for 158gr, no pressure concerns.

You'll have to excuse my apparent ignorance but I thought seating the bullet deeper increases the pressure in the cartridge.