38 dies?

[Axis II]

My concern is doesn't the 38spl FCD and the seater crimp die roll crimp? wont this cut into the copper?

 

[Reefinmike]

Just do a slight roll crimp into the pseudo-cannelure on the plated bullets. You cant shoot those cheap plated bullets at magnum velocity so there is no need for a magnum style crimp. If a slight roll crimp isnt doing the job then a taper crimp certainly won't be any better. A firm taper crimp will only damage your bullets and reduce neck tension.

 

[H&R Glock]

Go ahead and waste your money like I did on the LEE 38 fcd. After reading about the collet style FCD I was impressed. I paid the money, got the die and found it to be a ROLL CRIMP DIE! They make 2-3 caliber FCD's as roll crimp and don't tell you about it. Go figure!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Go ahead and waste your money like I did on the LEE 38 fcd. After reading about the collet style FCD I was impressed. I paid the money, got the die and found it to be a ROLL CRIMP DIE! They make 2-3 caliber FCD's as roll crimp and don't tell you about it. Go figure!

I agree, the collet crimp die is nice, that's why I listed it in my above post. I also found out about them recently and wanted to pass on the info.

 

[Axis II]

if I can get away with a light roll crimp and extreme or berrys plated I think I will run with that. you guys know me saving $ LOL.

 

[RealGun]

Your decision could be based upon how you will be loading. If you use a 4-hole Lee Turrret, for example, you might as well fill the holes and do crimp in a separate step from seating. If lead bullet size is the issue, I wouldn't use Lee dies at all except for the powder-through expander. I use RCBS Cowboy dies in every caliber they offer. That is the only way I have found to coordinate the sizer yield and the expander size, both anticipating an extra thousandth. The crimp also then works at .001 larger.

I have some .357 lead for use in a tight gun, on which I chose not to ream the throats. For those I use my Lee die set mounted in a separate turret, normally reserved for jacketed bullets. Those .357 lead bullets (by Xtreme) are 158 gr, so I don't use them on 38, having no larger gun with tight throats. The Smith 36-1 (3" J-frame 38 Special) is tight but gets fed 125 gr bullets that are softer.

 

[RealGun]

Your decision could be based upon how you will be loading. If you use a 4-hole Lee Turrret, for example, you might as well fill the holes and do crimp in a separate step from seating. If lead bullet size is the issue, I wouldn't use Lee dies at all except for the powder-through expander. I use RCBS Cowboy dies in every caliber they offer. That is the only way I have found to coordinate the sizer yield and the expander size, both anticipating an extra thousandth. The crimp also then works at .001 larger.

I have some .357 lead for use in a tight gun, on which I chose not to ream the throats. For those I use my Lee die set mounted in a separate turret, normally reserved for jacketed bullets. Those .357 lead bullets (by Xtreme) are 158 gr, so I don't use them on 38, having no larger gun with tight throats. Those bullets are also harder than I use on 38. The Smith 36-1 (3" J-frame 38 Special) is tight but gets fed 125 gr bullets that are softer.