Should you crimp 38spl?

[paradox998]

I am loading 38 spl rounds with 158gr Berry's over 3.6gn of HP38. Is it a good idea to crimp these rounds? When I switch over to 9mm, should I crimp those? Appreciate the advice.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Crimp the .38 Specials and JUST remove the bell on the 9mmX19 cases...

 

[Jim Watson]

Lightly taper crimp the Berrys, enough to close the case mouth in a bit but not cut through the plating. I put a little taper on my 9mms, too.

 

[loadedround]

Mr. Watson has given you sound advice. You want to give your 38 Specials a light crimp to get consistent powder burning and therefore consistent pressure and accuracy from your loads. If you roll crimp your 9 mm's, the case could slide too far into your pistol's chamber and receive light firing pin strikes and poor primer ignition or none at all.

 

[Walkalong]

Lightly taper crimp the Berrys, enough to close the case mouth in a bit but not cut through the plating.

Exactly.

 

[Larry Burchfield]

Crimp

I use a taper crimp die on my light (plinking) 38's with lead bullets. With heavy loads you need to use a roll crimp.
Larry Burchfield
SEABEES/VIETNAM/67/68/69
DAV

 

[JimGun]

Larry, What do you call a heavy load, when using a roll crimp?

 

[Larry Burchfield]

Heavy Loads

Jim
I 'm refering to loads using 140 gr or heavier bullets and near max. charges. If you don't roll crimp in a revolver the bullet will recaoil out of the case thus causing your gun to lock up.
The bullet that I taper crimp are some 125 gr bullets without a crimp groove.
How ever a person can roll crimp and weight bullet that he wants to if it has a crimping groove.
Larry Burchfield
SEABEES/VIETNAM/67/68/69
DAV

 

[Matt Dillon]

I would use a roll crimp on the .38s, use a Lee Factory crimp die on the 9mms