Pistol ammo vs revolver ammo

[MoreIsLess]

Up until now I have been reloading only pistol ammo, 9mm and .45 ACP. I just bought a revolver so I am going to start reloading .38 spl. OUtside of the obvious (OAL, load data etc.) are then any other things that have to be considered when reloading revolver ammo.

 

[rcmodel]

No.
Except the crimp type is different.

Revolvers use a roll crimp applied into the bullet cannulure (jacketed bullets) or crimp groove (lead bullets) to keep them from pulling due to recoil.

Your seating die is adjusted to do that.

rc

 

[MoreIsLess]

No.
Except the crimp type is different.

Revolvers use a roll crimp applied into the bullet cannulure (jacketed bullets) or crimp groove (lead bullets) to keep them from pulling due to recoil.

Your seating die is adjusted to do that.

rc

So the factory crimp die, the 4th stage in the process for pistol ammo, is not needed for revolver loading?

 

[rcmodel]

No.

It isn't needed for semi-auto either.
If you adjust the seating die correctly, it will apply a perfectly fine taper crimp.

rc

 

[bubbacrabb]

My fcd in 357 puts in a nice roll crimp.

 

[USSR]

No.

It isn't needed for semi-auto either.
If you adjust the seating die correctly, it will apply a perfectly fine taper crimp.

+1.

Don

 

[Hondo 60]

The FCD is not needed for any ammo.

But, it does make it easier to adjust dies.
And it covers up any slight maladjustment.

Many of the long time reloaders never had one & won't use one.

I guess I'm a johnny-come-lately.
I have em & use em on all my handgun ammo.

 

[Waldog]

One word of caution. An appropriate powder load in the 38SPL will absolutely disappear in the bottom of the case. It is VERY easy to get a double, or triple load of some powder into a 38SPL case. You probably already know this but, a reminder kinda' helps.

 

[Stormin.40]

I started reloading on .40 and later started on .38 special. .38 special is much easier than my auto loads. I love trailboss for lead bullets because it fills the case. The only learning curve for me was the OAL, my bullets while the same profile and weight as the published data I was using didn't allow crimping in the groove to meet published OAL. As it turns out you will always crimp in the groove provided using the published OAL as a guide. Check out some of Walkalong's crimp photos they truly are worth a 1000 words!

 

[gamestalker]

Revolver cartridges head space at the rim, where as pistol cartridges head space at the mouth.