.357 SIG: To crimp, or not to crimp?..

[kcofohio]

I use the Lee FCD for 357sig and is very happy with it. I have loaded over 4K loads, with no setback.

A while ago I created some 357sig loads using the Lee FCD and also chamfered brass with no crimping. I did not see any difference in the setback test I did. I created 5 loads using the chamfer method, and 5 matching loads using the Lee FCD. My test results showed that 4 out of 5 Lee FCD loads grouped better.Today I am still using the Lee FCD. Following are the loads I tested:

357sig, P229, 3.9"
Case: Speer
COL: 1.140"
Crimp: 0.378"
RMR, 147gr, TCFPMW, CFEpistol, 5.7gr, CCI500
Average: 1006
ES: 17
SD: 6.8
Force: 330
PF: 147
Velocities: 996, 1013, 1006, 1012, 1007
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.72"
Test Date: 11/20/2018

357sig, P229, 3.9"
Case: Speer
COL: 1.140"
Crimp: chamfer
RMR, 147gr, TCFPMW, CFEpistol, 5.7gr, CCI500
Average: 1000
ES: 63
SD: 26.4
Force: 326
PF: 147
Velocities: 954, 1008, 1013, 1017, 1012
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.44"
Test Date: 11/20/2018

357sig, P229, 3.9"
Case: Speer
COL: 1.140"
Crimp: 0.378"
RMR, 147gr, TCFPMW, CFEpistol, 5.9gr, CCI500
Average: 1038
ES: 30
SD: 12.3
Force: 352
PF: 152
Velocities: 1033, 1046, 1031, 1056, 1026
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.04"
Test Date: 11/20/2018

357sig, P229, 3.9"
Case: Speer
COL: 1.140"
Crimp: chamfer
RMR, 147gr, TCFPMW, CFEpistol, 5.9gr, CCI500
Average: 1043
ES: 18
SD: 7.6
Force: 355
PF: 153
Velocities: 1048, 1031, 1047, 1049, 1040
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.4"
Test Date: 11/20/2018

357sig, P229, 3.9"
Case: Speer
COL: 1.140"
Crimp: 0.378"
RMR, 147gr, TCFPMW, CFEpistol, 6gr, CCI500
Average: 1064
ES: 19
SD: 7.4
Force: 369
PF: 156
Velocities: 1065, 1057, 1059, 1076, 1064
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.5"
Test Date: 11/20/2018

357sig, P229, 3.9"
Case: Speer
COL: 1.140"
Crimp: chamfer
RMR, 147gr, TCFPMW, CFEpistol, 6gr, CCI500
Average: 1063
ES: 11
SD: 4.8
Force: 369
PF: 156
Velocities: 1069, 1064, 1058, 1059, 1067
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.78"
Test Date: 11/20/2018

357sig, P229, 3.9"
Case: Speer
COL: 1.140"
Crimp: 0.378"
RMR, 147gr, TCFPMW, CFEpistol, 6.1gr, CCI500
Average: 1071
ES: 12
SD: 4.8
Force: 374
PF: 157
Velocities: 1073, 1069, 1065, 1075, 1077
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.39"
Test Date: 11/20/2018

357sig, P229, 3.9"
Case: Speer
COL: 1.140"
Crimp: chamfer
RMR, 147gr, TCFPMW, CFEpistol, 6.1gr, CCI500
Average: 1071
ES: 13
SD: 5
Force: 374
PF: 157
Velocities: 1072, 1063, 1071, 1074, 1076
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.13"
Test Date: 11/20/2018


I load the RMR 124gr Match winner all the time in 357sig. The COL I use is 1.140". The test I use the make sure the ogive is not inside the neck is to use a resized case and place the mouth over a complete round. If the ogive is inside the neck then the resized case mouth will touch the mouth of the completed round and turn easily. If not, then it will rest on the ogive and will not turn easily.

Good luck with loading 357sig, and be safe.

I like your results. Since RMR is having a Christmas special, I threw in the cart 500 of the 147 gr. MWs. If all goes well I will keep a supply of them on hand.

 

[dragonfly157]

I'm not a fan of the Lee FCD handgun cartridge crimp die. But I do use one for 38 Special wadcutter loads when I have issues with chambering a round. The FCD die irons out any "bulges" in the case and I can then chamber the round and shoot it as opposed to disassembling the round.

I do taper crimp my 357 Sig ammunition. While I bell the case to the minimum I need for seating the bullet, the taper crimp die removes any of the bell.

All the ammunition I load for semi-auto pistols gets taper crimped. Also, lightly loaded revolver rounds such as 38 Special wadcutter ammunition gets taper crimped.

Do what works for you to get good ammunition. I separate sizing from loading on the progressive.

What taper crimp die do you use for this?

 

[cfullgraf]

What taper crimp die do you use for this?

I prefer to crimp at a separate time as seating.

For 38 Special, I have an RCBS 38 Special taper crimp seat die that I removed the seating stem. For seating, I back the seating die body off so the crimp does not engage the case mouth when seating.

For 357 SIG, I have a stand alone taper crimp die.

 

[WrongHanded]

As this thread has been brought back up, I'll add some things.

I found that although I was resizing to the point the case fit in the go/no-go gauge, I get better neck tension if I just bottom out the resizing die and it still chambers and fires fine. So I can flare just a little and get the bullet to seat more easily, then use the FCD to snug it back up. Works great.

 

[vaalpens]

Excellent! Looks like you have experimented and found what works best for you.

I have actually changed the way I use my FCD when crimping 357sig. Previously I always kept the top cap tight, but lately I have loosened it and use it to make minor adjustments. I don't think that is what it is there for, but that is how I use it. I also use the turret press as a guide to know how much I want to crimp. The picture below shows the gap between the connecting and toggle links with the lever all the way down before crimping. When the gap looks good I will apply crimp and then it is down to feel. From experience you will know when it is too much or too little crimp.

 

[CMV]

The only way I found to do 357SIG and get acceptable neck tension was to not expand mouth any at all, put a chamfer inside case mouth (more than you'd typically do just to deburr it), and no crimp with either seating die or FCD. Anything else I tried, any bullet, any brass, at around 30 lbs pressing on bathroom scale and bullet would move. But after doing that way, it worked well for me.

 

[Warpiece]

CMV,
How well does the brass hold up to subsequent loadings after the excessive chamfer? I would have expected the loss of some of what little neck is there to do the opposite. Do you have to remove material again at the next loading?

I pretty much mothballed my 357sig barrel after a close call a few years ago, haven't had the nerve to even try to address the neck tension till recently.

 

[JimKirk]

I been loading the 357 SIG for quite a while .....I don't flair the brass or crimp ...

I do chamfer but no more than I chamfer any other cartridge...

No problems since I begin reloading the 357 SIG....