RCBS .38 Spl die question
- Thread starter gifbohane
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RCBS makes a .38 Spl/.357 Mag set that roll crimps, and a .38 Spl/.357 Mag set that taper crimps.
I am not sure what the "straight wall" you mention is.
No, it isn't all that similar to 9MM.
For lead or coated lead bullets with a crimp groove, or jacketed bullets with a cannelure, you need the standard roll crimp set.
RecoilRob
Member
Both roll and taper crimps rely on the cases being very consistent in length...or the crimps will vary. Lee makes the Factory Crimp Die which squeezes the crimp on it with a collet and is much more tolerant of length variations. Some people really hate the LFC for some reason but if used properly they do make for some nice ammo.
The standard pistol FCD crimps like other dies, with a crimp ledge. It does not squeeze the crimp on like the collet style rifle FCD. They will make a collet style FCD for pistol, but they are not standard. The FCD for pistols is hard to use wrong, the carbide "post sizer" which sometimes causes problems is not adjustable. Only the crimp is adjustable by turning the threaded insert. It can and is done wrong and we see it here sometimes.
I don't trim any auto cases. I adjust the taper "crimp" so the bell is removed on the shortest cases which ends up giving the longest cases .001 or maybe .002 inward "crimp" on the longest cases.
I do trim all revolver brass which may get a roll crimp, even though some of my revolver loads get a taper crimp. Revolver brass and roll crimps are much less forgiving of case length, but many here never trim revolver cases that get roll crimped.
Either RCBS set gifbohane asked about would serve him/her well.
I don't trim any auto cases. I adjust the taper "crimp" so the bell is removed on the shortest cases which ends up giving the longest cases .001 or maybe .002 inward "crimp" on the longest cases.
I do trim all revolver brass which may get a roll crimp, even though some of my revolver loads get a taper crimp. Revolver brass and roll crimps are much less forgiving of case length, but many here never trim revolver cases that get roll crimped.
Either RCBS set gifbohane asked about would serve him/her well.
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
Welcome to the forum...
If you want to buy RCBS dies this set is what you want to buy.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/485205/rcbs-carbide-3-die-set-38-special-357-magnum
If you are going to load a lot of plated bullets you will also want a tapered crimp die like Walkalong suggested. It's this die.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/471839/rcbs-taper-crimp-seater-die-38-special-357-magnum
Both are on sale right now.
If you don't already have a #6 RCBS shellholder you will need that too. (also on sale)
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/278373/rcbs-shellholder-6-38-s-and-w-38-long-colt-357-magnum
If you want to buy RCBS dies this set is what you want to buy.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/485205/rcbs-carbide-3-die-set-38-special-357-magnum
If you are going to load a lot of plated bullets you will also want a tapered crimp die like Walkalong suggested. It's this die.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/471839/rcbs-taper-crimp-seater-die-38-special-357-magnum
Both are on sale right now.
If you don't already have a #6 RCBS shellholder you will need that too. (also on sale)
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/278373/rcbs-shellholder-6-38-s-and-w-38-long-colt-357-magnum
Reread Walkalong's post. Rule of thumb for a new reloader; any bullet with a crimp groove or cannalure gets a roll crimp. Bullets without a crimp groove or cannalure get a taper crimp. Of course there will be exceptions but for a new reloader K.I.S.S. For newer reloaders I'd recommend finding a tried and true combination and a load in your reloading manuals and then buy components. In your case a jacketed bullet and some W321 or similar powder. When you are confident using these and get a handle on general reloading, then branch out to different components...
Go slow, double check everything, and most important, have fun...
Go slow, double check everything, and most important, have fun...
OP
OP
gifbohane
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Thanks guys for the quick and cogent replies.
Have been saving 38 brass for awhile and I noted yesterday that some had a cannelure and some did not. So, to load all of these I will need both the set of dies and the spare TC die.
BTW my Hornady manual lists loads for 38 Special, not 38. Is there a difference between the two?
Massive amounts of info here. Thanks.
Have been saving 38 brass for awhile and I noted yesterday that some had a cannelure and some did not. So, to load all of these I will need both the set of dies and the spare TC die.
BTW my Hornady manual lists loads for 38 Special, not 38. Is there a difference between the two?
Massive amounts of info here. Thanks.
VThillman
Member
Whoa. These folks are talking about a cannelure on the bullet, not on the brass. Different things, for different purposes.
The 38 Smith & Wesson, also known as 38 Colt New Police, is different than the 38 Special. It is an old cartridge and has a much shorter case than the 38 special. Generally when someone says 38 they are talking about the much more popular 38 special.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Ignore the cannelure on the brass, it will practically disappear after several firings. The brass has nothing to do with which crimp die you use.
Just buy the normal .38/357 die set with a roll crimp die and load up some ammo. You will only need a taper crimp die if you are going to load primarily plated bullets.
Just buy the normal .38/357 die set with a roll crimp die and load up some ammo. You will only need a taper crimp die if you are going to load primarily plated bullets.
Lee 38/357 FACTORY CRIMP DIE is NOT a collet crimper. It is a ROLL crimper. I own one. Don't believe me??- ask Lee!! I was disappointed after buying mine and finding out about it.
The collet crimper idea is great, but, Lee missed the boat on the 38/357!
The collet crimper idea is great, but, Lee missed the boat on the 38/357!
RecoilRob
Member
http://leeprecision.com/357-magnum-custom-collet-style-crimp-die.html Well...Lee seems to think they are a collet die! I have other calibers but not the 357/38 in Lee and was going off of the other crimp dies when I mentioned the FCD....but they SAY they are collet type. What gives??
I have other calibers but not the 357/38 in Lee and was going off of the other crimp dies when I mentioned the FCD....but they SAY they are collet type. What gives??Yep, a Gran Faux Pas by Lee in naming their FCDs. The FCD for rifles/bottle necked cartridges, is a collet crimp. The FCD for handgun cartridges is a post seating/crimping sizing die, roll or taper crimp as needed. An awful lot of posters don't specify which type...
As posted, the standard pistol FCD in the Lee pistol die sets is not a collet crimp. The standard rifle set FCD is. You can get a collet type pistol crimp die from Lee, but not in a set.
From Lee:
Well, personally, I have never had trouble crimping any straight walled revolver caliber. And the collet crimp isn't any more "powerful" than a standard roll crimp die. You can easily over crimp with either one. Lee always was a bit over the top with advertising.
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Straight wall ,roll crimp. That's what I use . Very accurate. 38 Special, don't over think it. Very simple and if you keep the loads light the brass will last forever. I have cases that have been reloaded 20 times. Load light and you don't have to work the brass that much crimping it.
Now I know.
Yes, on a jacketed bullet you want to roll the case mouth into the deepest part of the cannelure, which is in the middle, although some crappy cannelures barley have any depth to them.
On a lead crimp groove the case mouth should also be in the deepest pat, which is at the top of it.
Go to Leeprecision.com and look at their online catalogue. Lee factory crimp dies are not collet type dies. Collet type dies are only made for a very few number of pistol calibers. There is one page of the catalogue page 10 that lists FCD's and Collet type dies in adjacent columns on the page. Go look for yourself.
I was hornshwaggled or shanghaied into the belief that FCD's were collet type. Wrong! I wasted my money! Good luck!
I was hornshwaggled or shanghaied into the belief that FCD's were collet type. Wrong! I wasted my money! Good luck!
ArchAngelCD
Member.
The link you posted is for the fairly new handgun collect crimp die, not their FCD. So many reloaders like their collect rifle crimp die they asked for a similar handgun die and they produced one. This is the link to the FCD and it tells you the revolver FCD applies a roll crimp.http://leeprecision.com/357-magnum-custom-collet-style-crimp-die.html Well...Lee seems to think they are a collet die!
http://leeprecision.com/reloading-dies/hand-gun-dies/lee-carbide-factory-crimp-die
Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die
Lee Collet Style Crimp Die
If there is any confusion, it isn't Lee's fault.
Lee Collet Style Crimp Die
If there is any confusion, it isn't Lee's fault.
OK fellers! Lee makes two types of Factory Crimp Dies. One, the die for rifle cartridges (and a few revolver cartridges) is a collet crimp die. The other, the FCD for handgun ammo is a "post seating and crimping sizing die" (the one with the carbide ring). Too many posters don't/won't specify what they are talking about! Yeah, Lee screwed up when they named them both the same, but in this case correct terminology and reading about what you're buying is essential...
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