38/357 taper crimp die choice

[ArchAngelCD]

I never said to dismiss anything. You do realize you are talking about 5 one-hundreds of an inch in a case that is 1.155" long with a water capacity of ~23.4 gr.

You were concerned about the case mouth being off the crimp groove. I told you how to remedy that, I can't do more. Good luck.

 

[joneb]

When I was researching this issue before starting the thread I ran across that solution as well. It appears there are many ways to skin this cat. I've already received the Lee taper crimp die and will try it first. I think should that not work out I'll either doctor up a FCD as suggested by Skinnedknuckles or perhaps ask Lee if they'll just make me one that way. Should that fail, I can try the collet style die. Or the Redding... No shortage of options. Thanks for the suggestion.

I have had issues with bullet pull with plated bullets in magnum loads, the lee collet crimp has solved this problem for me for .357 Mag and 44 Mag.

 

[ray15]

I never said to dismiss anything. You do realize you are talking about 5 one-hundreds of an inch in a case that is 1.155" long with a water capacity of ~23.4 gr.

You were concerned about the case mouth being off the crimp groove. I told you how to remedy that, I can't do more. Good luck.

I am going to do this, but you did indeed say 'don't worry about the listed COAL". I appreciate the suggestions and will seat to the cannelure, but will stop short your direction in this regard. Thanks again for your input.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When I said don't worry about the COAL I was talking about not not seating the bullet to the OAL listed in the data but seating to the crimp groove.

I can't remember if I ever measured the OAL of a revolver round. It's just not necessary if the bullet manufacturer supplies a crimp groove.

 

[gonoles_1980]

I use the Lee taper die for my xtreme 158gr plated bullets in my 357. I don't shoot magnum loads. The only time I had an issue with the plated bullets was when I was using a roll crimp on a 44 mag plated bullet, part of the plating cracked and came off. Switched to a taped die for that and haven't had an issue since.

 

[styles]

I also use an FCD for roll crimping, but for taper crimping just use the seating die.

Archangel, walkalong, and ljnowell all have great insight on taper vs roll vs fcd crimps that helped me figure out my approach.

I would load with a taper in a light load like LJ does but prefer a roll on a heavier load. I had a long dwell time using a roll on a light load and shot poorly.

 

[ray15]

Like you, I will have to figure out my own approach. I researched this topic thoroughly before starting the thread, and found the approaches presented here. My intent had always been to ride the taper crimp as far as it will take me, as I'm using plated bullets after all. I also have some XTPs to use as a control. If I end up having to roll crimp to prevent bullet creep in top-end loads I am prepared to do so. I appreciate all the experienced opinions given - they do help greatly in building a decision making foundation. But in the end I'll make my own choices, for good or bad.