38 special dies

[coachman48]

I need too get some RCBS dies too reload 38 special. They will be loaded with light to medium loads and I did not know whether to get the taper or roll crimp.

Thanks
Bob

 

[Galil5.56]

Go roll.

Taper crimp when used properly is to remove belling. Roll crimp actually crimps, and adds to bullet pull. Taper crimp is used more for cartridges that headspace on the mouth, roll crimp for rimmed rounds.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Roll crimp is the better option. Most bullets for 38/357 are set up for a crimp die.

However, if one was going to load nothing but light to mid-range 38s, the taper crimp might be a better choice, as you should get longer brass life.

 

[coachman48]

Ben,

Thanks for the reply. I am wondering if I might get some bullet jump even with the light to med. loads. Everything I have loaded so far has been with a taper crimp, 40S&W and 9MM.

Thanks Bob

 

[joneb]

I mostly use a roll crimp for .38spl, I also have a taper crimp die that I use for plated bullets and some Wad cutters.
Make sure the die set you choose has a carbide sizer die.

 

[MMCSRET]

The only time I taper crimp my 38 Special is for HBWC in my Colt Officers Model Special for target shooting, and very lightly then.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

As long as you have the correct diameter insert in your belling die and correct diameter slugs so you have good neck tension, crimp jump should be a non-issue.

 

[coachman48]

Thanks Guys,

I will order a roll crimp.

Bob

 

[rcmodel]

Crimp jump should be a non-issue in a heavy .38 Special gun.

However, a lot of .38 Spl dies end may end up loading .357 Magnum for Scandium Snubbies at some point in time.

Get the roll crimp as you decided to do.

Sooner or later it may come in handy!

rcmodel

 

[jfh]

"...a lot of .38 Spl dies end may end up loading .357 Magnum for Scandium Snubbies....
​

" There's great wisdom in those words.

I use a Lee 4-die setup, with the FCD set up to allow dialing in the crimp from minimum to maximum. I was surprised at how much crimp was needed on the Speer 158LSWC-HPs when working on "FBI900"-type loads.

Jim H.