38/357

[RustyFN]

I have been reloading for a while but am just starting to reload for revolver. My question is with using plated bullets. I have always heard that you want to have a good crimp for revolver to keep the bullet in place do to the recoil. So what about a plated bullet not having a canalure to crimp into. I use a lot of plated bullets in semi-autos and know that they require a very light crimp. Can you get away with that in a revolver?
Rusty

 

[Ol` Joe]

Revolver bullets should have a crimp groove. The manuals will mostly show grooved bullets in thier loads for revolvers. A roll, not a taper crimp is recommended as revolver cartridges headspace on the rim normally not the case mouth as a pistol round will..

 

[res45]

From Rainer Bullet site.

We, at Rainier Ballistics, recommend using lead bullet load data when loading our bullets. There is no need for adjustment when using lead bullet load data. Our bullets are jacketed using an electroplating process and are softer than traditionally jacketed bullets; hence the recommendation to use lead bullet load data. If you only have access to traditionally jacketed load data, we recommend reducing maximum charge by 10%. A roll or taper crimp may be used with our bullets; do not over crimp.

 

[zxcvbob]

You can either roll crimp them lightly so the case mouth just bites into the copper, or you can taper crimp them with your 9mm die. Either method works well enough to prevent bullet setback.

I've tried both, and much to my surprise, the roll crimp was more accurate even though it must have distorted the bullet.

 

[tbtrout]

I have used a taper crimp with good results on Berry's.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use a Lee Factory Crimp Die on all my handgun rounds whether they are for revolvers or semi-autos.

 

[DragonFire]

I use X-treme plated bullets (used to be WestCoast). I use a medium crimp on all my rounds, and have good luck. X-treme has a heavy plating, so I wouldn't try it with just copper-washed bullets

I don't load real hot rounds, so I don't know how they'd work with massive recoil. But with mid-range stuff, I'd had no set-back issues.

 

[nitesite]

I load a lot of Berry's .358" plated 158 SWCs and, like ArchAngelCD does, I always use a LFCD.

Really, the heavier your bullet the less liklihood there will be bullet pull (bullet setback it not usually an issue in revolvers). This is because there is more surface contact between the bullet and the case wall for maximum friction and hold. The 110-gr pills don't have enough mating surface and can pull during recoil in ultra-lightweight guns.

I believe the good crimp on revolver rounds is more a matter of trying to get consistent pressures than to prevent bullet pull.

 

[SSN Vet]

I've been using the .38/.357 Lee FCD on Berry's plated....nice snug crimp....not to severe.

Just crimp a couple and pull the bullets to inspect the affect.

The soft lead core will dent and he copper plate will conform.

I've yet to see the copper plate rupture from crimping.

but then again, my experience with plated pistol bullets is with 148 gr DEWCs and light loads (3.8 gr W231 in a 38 spc. case), so I'm not exactly pushing the inertial forces to the wall.

 

[IDriveB5]

Rusty, this is the load I use with Berry's:

PURPOSE Target/Plinking
BULLET Berry's copper plated round nose
BULLET WT. 158 gn
POWDER Winchester 231
CHARGE WT. 6.6 gn
AUTO DISK 0.61
OAL 1.595"
PRIMER Winchester SP or CCI 500
CRIMP +1/2 turn (this means, using the Lee FCD, I screw the die down until it contacts the case mouth, then add half turn.)

This load works very well and is accurate out of 686. I think I remember the velocity being around the 950fps range.

 

[xtarheel]

When using .40 / 10MM bullets in my .38-40 I run them throught my Corbin cannalure maker. It puts a nice cannalure where ever you want it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I believe the good crimp on revolver rounds is more a matter of trying to get consistent pressures than to prevent bullet pull.

I have to agree with "nitesite." Not only does a crimp help you attain consistent pressures but I feel the rounds are more accurate. Consistency is the name of the game and a LFCD helps a lot.

 

[RustyFN]

Thanks for all of your replies. I bought the four die set when I bought the dies. I use the FCD on everything else I load. It sounds like I will have to try some. I don't normally shoot hot loads anyway so it sounds like a light crimp should be fine.
Rusty