.38/.357 Plated bullets and crimping - ?'s

[Bass Ackwardz]

When loading 38/357 rounds using a plated bullet, how much crimp should you use? I know with jacketed or lead you do use a pretty good roll crimp. With plated though, the copper plating is so thin that if you crimp it much, the plating will shear off when firing. I know that they probably arent the best choice for loading, but I got a few of them cheap and want to use them.


Bass

 

[Drail]

Use the same crimp.

 

[joneb]

Use the same crimp.

I would not, I use a taper crimp die for plated bullets. For .357 mag with plated I load somewhere between 38spl and .357 mag. The bullet manufacturer should provide a max velocity for their bullet.

the copper plating is so thin that if you crimp it much, the plating will shear off when firing.

Yes it will.

 

[longdayjake]

What brand of plated bullets? I sell Powerbond and I have not experienced plating separation with any type or amount of crimp.

 

[zxcvbob]

Do you have a set of 9mm dies? Use its seating die to do a fairly snug taper crimp. The die will look stupid screwed out so far, but it will work and you won't even have to move the lockring you have set up for 9mm (just add a 2nd lockring underneath it)

 

[Bass Ackwardz]

I am using Berrys plateds. I have a set of 9mm dies, but would just as soon not use it. I am loading on a 550B with Dillon dies. Just tested some loads and got really low velocities. Wondering if a bit more crimp might bring them up some.

Bass

 

[joneb]

Use its seating die to do a fairly snug taper crimp.

I use a 9x19 seat/crimp die without the seating stem as a 4th step.

Just tested some loads and got really low velocities. Wondering if a bit more crimp might bring them up some.

Please share all the details.

 

[GP100man]

my exp with plated bullets is they are happy to 1,000 fps after that ????sheared coatings , shedded coatings.

The plating is only .003-.007" thick so hi velocities are a no-no!!
I even blew some cores out of the coatings!!!

 

[Walkalong]

I use taper crimps with plated bullets.

The Berrys, Raniers, & X-Treme plated bullets can take a good medium or so taper crimp just fine, and the Powerbond bullets will take even more.

I have not had any shearing of plated bullets of any brand. Use common sense on crimp and velocities.

What bullet? What velocity do you want to load it to?

 

[340PD]

I use a slight taper crimp with all my plated bullets of any brand. Thousands of rounds fired no problems to date revolver or pistol.

 

[mbopp]

I use a light roll crimp but a taper would be better. Berrys 148 DEWC's are the most accurate bullet I've found for my M19.

 

[Walkalong]

Just tested some loads and got really low velocities. Wondering if a bit more crimp might bring them up some.

Which Berrys bullet? I have shot several of them in .38/.357.

Yes, up to a point a bit more crimp will help ES & SD numbers as well as bump velocity a little bit. Up to a point. Not a night and day difference though.

 

[Bass Ackwardz]

Walkalong...I am using Berrys 125 FP projectiles, loaded them with 4.5gr of W231 at an OAL of 1.455" Got velocities in the mid 500's. I thought this was borderline dangerous, but I have no experience with revolver cartridges. So I was just looking for some advice. Thanks.

Bass

 

[Walkalong]

Velocities in the 500's with a plated bullet is borderline safe as far as sticking a bullet in the barrel and the potential consequences of doing so, not to mention the pain it can sometimes be to get it out.

4.5 Grs of W-231 is a light load for plated 125's. It's way under Speer #13's "DNR" start load of 5.6 Grs for 944 FPS with a 125 Gr jacketed bullet.

I would suggest 5.0 Grs and go from there. It will most likely get you to a safe level. I don't know what velocity you are looking for

I use a light taper crimp on that bullet with a faster powder. A medium taper crimp would probably be better with W-231. I have been loading them to 1.445 O.A.L. Any reasonable O.A.L. will be OK, although your gun may like it longer or shorter. Hard to tell.

 

[zxcvbob]

4.0 grains of Red Dot is a good very accurate load with 125 grain plated bullets. I tried both a taper crimp and a roll crimp -- the taper crimp looked better, but the roll crimp was more accurate even though the bullets were distorted a little. With either one, I crimped just enough so the case mouth bit into the copper plating slightly.

 

[sigma40sw]

My load for 38 Spl. uses the Berrys 158 gr plated RN (works best with speedloaders)and 4.6 gr of WW231. I taper crimp them. My brass is mixed and I have found taper crimping causes the least distortion to the copper plating.

 

[Bass Ackwardz]

Walkalong, as usual, thank you for the information. I will load a few at 5.0gr of W231 and try again.

Bass

 

[Drail]

Definitely kick it up a notch.