.38 special, win 231, 158 gr RNFP

[ducky123]

It went bang. It punched a hole in the paper. Success.

 

[mdi]

I have been reloading 38 Specials since around '69, pre-web, and seated all my bullets to the crimp groove and disregarded OAL. I figgered the bullet designer knew where to put the crimp groove on the generic 158 LRN bullets I started with. This has worked for me ever since in my 7 revolvers (38 Special, 357 Magnum, 44 Special and Magnum and 45 Colt. As long s the bullet didn't stick out the front of the cylinder, I was good and safe. Same method with cannelures on jacketed bullets...

 

[ducky123]

I think I hit the groove and made a crimp!

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

View attachment 991067
I think I hit the groove and made a crimp!

That looks perfect! Now go make some more and shoot!

 

[ducky123]

As long s the bullet didn't stick out the front of the cylinder, I was good and safe.

Hitting the groove made my rounds a little too long on my case gauge but there is still LOTS of room in the cylinder. So ty for advice.

 

[mdi]

Hitting the groove made my rounds a little too long on my case gauge but there is still LOTS of room in the cylinder. So ty for advice.

I'm a K.I.S.S. kinda guy and when I started reloading I knew no other reloaders and was on a tight budget (and way pre web) so I had to figger out a lot of techniques and "standards" on my own. I don't remember anything mentioned in my Lee Loader instruction sheet about a case gauge or specific OAL, other than the SAAMI drawing/specs. When I first got a semi-auto I thought I needed a cartridge gauge, but that lasted only a few days as my handloads that gave me excellent accuracy and performance, sometimes wouldn't fit the gauge, so because I shoot my handloads in my guns and not in a gauge I put it in a drawer somewhere in my shop. My handgun ammo is either plunk tested in the gun barrel or the gun's cylinder. The 38 Special is a wonderful cartridge to start reloading with as it's very forgiving and there are tons of components that work quite well. My suggestion would be seat your (good lookin'!) bullets to the crimp groove, make sure they don't stick out the front of the cylinder and load some up...

Go slow, double check everything, and modst important, have fun!

 

[ducky123]

I find the case gauge very useful after resizing empties. If it isn't going to fit before I start, it's pointless.

 

[Walkalong]

I think I hit the groove and made a crimp!

I agree, nice job.

 

[lordpaxman]

I find the case gauge very useful after resizing empties. If it isn't going to fit before I start, it's pointless.

That’s one way of doing it. Just remember your roll crimp is dependent on the case length. .38 is one of the cartridges I do take the time to measure the case and trim if necessary. A successful trip to the range with your reloads is so satisfying. Good luck.

 

[Walkalong]

I added @ducky123s crimp pic to the crimp thread in The Reloading Library of Wisdom. There are some other posts I need to fix in there.