38 sp Crimping Question

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murph50

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Hi all--I'm new to reloading.
I'm having a little trouble trying to get the right crimp on 38sp 158gr RNFP.
If I go with a light crimp --I can push the bullet back into the casing. If I get a tighter or slight roll crimp --it looks to tight and according to the Speer manuel this can cause problems. I'm using the Redding 3 die set.
Anybody know any good ideas or tricks for the proper crimp on these?
Thanks
Jack
 
You should not generally be able to push the bullet into the case regardless of crimp, assuming you are not using channel locks or something like that.

I think you should first ensure that you are using the proper bullets. Bullets intended for the 9 mm or .38 Super will behave as you are describing.

If the bullets are correct (.357-.358) check the expander ball in your sizing die -- it may be expanding the case up too much.

I suppose it is theoretically possible to have cases with such a thin wall that they do not grip the bullets correctly. I have never seen nor heard of this in the .38, however.

If I get a tighter or slight roll crimp --it looks to tight and according to the Speer manuel this can cause problems.
Click to expand...
Are you taper crimping? That would be a strange thing to do unless you are loading for an auto, and I've never heard of a .38 Special auto that can feed anything but wadcutters. For a revolver, your cartridge wants a moderate roll crimp -- and the worst thing that happens if you overdo it is that you get premature case mouth splits.
 
Thanks 38
That really helps. The bullets are .357. I will check the resizing die and try it again. I made up 10 rds last week and they shot great. When I started loading more --the lock ring on the die came loose and I've had trouble ever since trying to get it right.. Thanks again--I'm off to the reloading room
Jack
 
Lee Factory Crimp Die--

If you continue to have problems I suggest you invest a few bucks in a Lee Factory Crimp Die. When set properly, which is very easy, it takes the mystery out of crimping for revolver or pistol rounds.

I have loaded thousands of rounds since I got mine in July and they are crimped just right and the round is also post-sized. I have had zero chambering problems with two Kimbers, a Glock 21 and a Ruger Blackhawk revolver.
 
Just bear in mind that opinions of Lee products do vary...:neener:

If your Redding die is wrong, Redding will jump through hoops to fix it.
 
All is ok I think. I started from scatch and just loaded up about 20 rds and they look good. I'll hope to get to the range tommorrow and see if they shoot as well as they look.
I just started reloading a few months ago and have loaded several hundred rds of 9mm. Just starting with the 38/357 and 45 ACP.
No equipement failures here--just human error and maybe a little over confidence on the side.
Thanks all for the help
 
Unless your load is very hot, you don't really need a crimp at all. However, a slight roll crimp should do if you insist on crimping. Getting a crimp just right takes a bit of trial and error fiddling with the die.
 
Example of a typical roll crimp that holds the bullet securely. This one is on a Speer LSWC.
Crimp158gr38
 
On a 3 die set of dies you are doing the crimping and the seating with the same die. You have to juggle the seating function with the crimping as the crimping involves moving the die up and down which will move your seating adjustment with it. I get the depth of the bullet set first and as I move the die body down to set the crimp. I will back the seater stem out to try to compensate for the crimp adjustment. Once the crimp is correct, I will adjust the seater stem back to my target length for the cartridge.
 
I like the Lee factory crimp die too. It will crimp really well even if you seat your bullet out of the groove. Until I started casting, I bought bullets that were too short to cycle well in my 1894 Marlin. By going to a longer OAL and using the Lee die I was able to cure cycling issues I was having with .38 brass.
:)
 
Murph: As an oldtime reloader, I would like to suggest that you use a separate die for your crimping stage. It will take a little longer to load with an extra step, but you will produce higher quality ammo. Crimp dies are available thru all die manufactuers and I suggest buying the same brand crimp die as your current dies to keep them as a complete set. Price should be around 10 bucks.:)
 
I agree with a separate, dedicated die just for crimping. I have a Dillon 550B and uses 4-die set in my reloading process. I also use Lee Factory Crimp Die in my magnum loads. The Lee crimping die works great!

Ninja45
 
If you continue to have problems I suggest you invest a few bucks in a Lee Factory Crimp Die
Click to expand...

I most certainly must take exception to this statement. If you are able to push a bullet into the case with finger pressure, the FCD cannot solve the problem. Why not do it right the first time? Something is wrong with his setup.

Read the die directions, reread them, and then set them up again. Are you overexpanding? The case only needs to be slightly belled to except the bullet. You shouldn't even really be able to see it.

Stinger
 
Get that expander stem measured. It sounds like it's WAY too big.

A heavy crimp will not make up for oversized brass. In fact it can make your problems worse.

Let us know what you find.
 
OK--I did figure out what I did wrong. I was attempting to make some dummy rounds just to get everything right as far as bullet length goes. I did not re-size the cases for this--figured I didn't need to. I figured wrong. Stupid on my part but also a lesson learned.
My Redding 3 die set is working great. Haven't had a chance to do any shooting this week but they should be fine.
Being new at reloading can be a little overwhelming at times. There are so many options as far as equipement and personnel opinions go that it can get confusing. I took a couple of reloading classes at Sportsmans Warehouse and even the guys doing the classes were arguing over equipement and what you need or don't need.
I decided to start very basic--single stage press, manuel scale,etc. and figure I can upgrade as I go. I will probably check into a crimping die at some point but for now all is working great.An RCBS didital scale and dispenser will probably be my first upgrade--I can see that being a major timesaver.
A big thanks to all who responded here. This forum has been great. I try to check it every day and have really learned a lot about the do's and don't's of reloading.
Thanks again
Jack
 
" I did not re-size the cases for this--figured I didn't need to. I figured wrong. Stupid on my part but also a lesson learned"

Not stupid at all; you didn't know and you figured it out. I would say that is pretty smart!:)


"I took a couple of reloading classes at Sportsmans Warehouse and even the guys doing the classes were arguing over equipement and what you need or don't need"

I don't understand why all the d@@@-wagging over tools; it is also evident on this board. Maybe the instructors will remember to tell their students to resize for dummy rounds, next time, instead of bloviating over mindless drivel.:barf:

Redding is good stuff; so is most of the other equipment out there.

Enjoy!
 
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