.357 Bullets without a cannelure

[Garys001]

I just got a box of Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets for .357 Magnum. They're 158gr, hollow point. They have no crimping groove.

Can I roll crimp them, or do I need to get a taper crimp die? I currently have the Lee 4 die set (with separate crimp die) and the RCBS 3 die set (seat/crimp same die).

I plan on loading them near max (eventually), can I roll crimp and deform the bullet slightly without any issues?

 

[Col]

I have used similar plated 357 bullets with no problem after using the Lee
factory crimp die.depending on how much of a crimp you prefer you can set up the crimp die to remove the bell and cut its own cannelure,tho not to tight as it can cause damage to the bullet. I fire them from my marlin u/lever at a reasonable velocity and have noticed no difference in accuracy

 

[Steve C]

You can roll crimp them over the bullet shoulder which is what I usually do. You can also lightly crimp them into the side but not too hard or you can break the plating.

 

[cfullgraf]

A light roll crimp into the Berry plated bullets will be fine. If you crimp too much, you risk bulging the mouth of the case and then it may not chamber.

The crimp should be about enough to remove the belling of the case mouth.

In my opinion, a taper crimp will be easier to set up with less issue with variable length cases.

 

[Glock20]

I've used the same bullets for 38 Special and 357 mag and crimped them just enough to remove the bell and maybe a touch more. As Steve mentions, you do not want to cut into the plating.
As per Berry's recommendation, you should not go over 1200 fps. Use lead data as is also recommended for plated bullets

 

[ralph2]

I buy 158 plated flat point bullets from a local manufacturer and they have what at first glance is a
crimping groove but if you crimp them you do deform the bullet. I use the Lee roll crimp die and
I can't see any accuracy problem from a Ruger Blackhawk or a Marlin rifle. If I had a 357 taper
crimp die I would give it a try because if you over crimp with a roll crimp die you can damage
the plating enough that it can peel off in flight. If you don't crimp you will get wild variations in
muzzle velocity.

 

[243winxb]

Lee's seating die taper crimps first, then turns into a roll crimp. Read Berry's FAQ here for your answers. http://www.berrysmfg.com/faq-q10-c1-How_fast_can_I_shoot_these_bullets.aspx

, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1200 feet-per-second.

Separation is very rare. Two things can cause a jacket to separate from the lead core: excessive speeds (magnum velocities) and a real tight roll crimp (cuts through the plating). If you'll keep these two items in check you shouldn't have a problem with bullet separation.

 

[Walkalong]

I taper crimp them.

Lee's crimp die is a modified roll crimp IMHO. The angle is much less than the normal roll crimp ledge but way steeper than the normal taper crimp die. IMHO it does not ever apply a taper crimp. It just barely starts a roll crimp if you have it adjusted right, and then case length is critical because of the steep "taper". The normal taper crimp die has a very small taper and is very forgiving of case length.

The Redding profile crimp die actually does what the Lee claims to be able to do. It actually has two cuts. A taper crimp cut that runs into a roll crimp ledge. It really can do either.

 

[243winxb]

Crimping Plated Bullets-357mag.

Brass trimmed to all the same length is most important. This will keep you from over crimp. If you dont like to trim, set your crimp die up using the longest brass of the batch. Redding does not list a taper crimp die for any 38 or 357mag.But they do list a Profile Crimp die as Walkalong has said. http://www.redding-reloading.com/online-catalog/21-rifle-a-handgun-die-sets-series-a

 

[Garys001]

Thanks for the replies, all are very helpful. I'm going to trim my brass and set a light roll crimp and see how it goes. If I'm not happy with the results, I'll pick up taper crimp die.

 

[243winxb]

Lee Taper Crimp Die 38 Special, 357 Magnum

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=469800

The Lee Taper Crimp Die is hardened steel designed to overcome crimp problems caused by poor die design. These dies offer little or no advantage when used with 1986 or newer Lee dies as the crimp angle is already a modified taper crimp Jacketed bullets must have a crimp groove (cannelure).

 

[Walkalong]

as the crimp angle is already a modified taper crimp

severely modified....

Redding does make a taper crimp die for .38/spl/.357. I have two of them.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=719395

 

[243winxb]

Redding Profile Die for 38/357mag. #85282

Manufacturer #: 85282
is a profile crimp die, not a taper crimp die. Product numbers mean a lot to us old retired gun retailer. Got to order the right thingy. Midwayusa has it wrong. See Redding die list here > http://www.redding-reloading.com/online-catalog/21-rifle-a-handgun-die-sets-series-a Getting to the point that i really don't care. I use RCBS.

 

[cheygriz]

Taper crimp, or light crimp with the FCD. I personally prefer the FCD, but either works well.

 

[REL1203]

so is the concensus that a light crimp with the Lee FCD is acceptable for a revolver 357 round? Will it also work with a Lever Action 357 tube fed round?

 

[Glock20]

Others may feel differently, but I would not load any tube fed magazine with a bullet that did not have a cannelure and crimped properly

 

[Walkalong]

Midwayusa has it wrong.

Perhaps they have the wrong manufacturer # listed for the die, but it is a taper crimp die. I know that for a fact since I have two that I ordered from Midway.