C-H Taper Crimp Die for 38 Special

[Vacek]

I have started reloading for 38 special, and part of my repertoire is a taper crimp die that came with a 38/357 die set from an estate sell. The set included a Lee Full Length Sizing die; a Lee Powder Through Expanding Die; and RCBS Bullet Seating Die with various seaters; and a C-H Taper Crimp.

Understanding that for handguns a taper crimp is typically for pistol ammunition and not revolver.

Anyway, I want to try this out and am wondering the degree of crimp to put on some vintage Speer 146 grain Hollowpoints and some 150 grain Sierra hollowpoints as I picked up a bunch of these as part of the estate sale. I am loading about 0.4 grains below +P with 231.

Also, does anyone have a copy to scan of instructions regarding the C-H Taper Crimp Die?

 

[gamestalker]

I've never personally tried using a taper crimp on revolver cartridges before, so don't know if it will provide adequate bullet hold. As long as you keep an eye on the bullets when testing, you should be just fine. Just watch for obvious bullet jump after you fire each round to see if they are staying put. The worst that will happen is your cylinder might get locked up, and you'll have some powder spilling out of the cases.

GS

 

[Walkalong]

I use a taper crimp on .38 Spl loads with plated bullets, and there is no reason you cannot do so with a lead or jacketed bullet. I have played with taper crimps and full loads with jacketed bullets in .38 Spl, and it works, but I always go back to roll crimps.

If the two bullets mentioned are jacketed, I would try a crimp that moves the case mouth in about .002, and try more if you have problems with the bullets creeping forward under recoil. Try it and see.

There are no special instructions for taper crimp dies. Adjust as needed. The application determines how much.

 

[fecmech]

I use the CH taper crimp loading my .38's and .357 mags. I simply turn back the bell in the brass made for bullet seating. Case tension is what holds the bullet. I load all cast bullets and my mag load of 173 gr. 358429 at approximately 1300 fps gets very uniform ballistics and no bullet movement from recoil. In super light (13 oz. .357's) the taper crimp would not be a good idea as those guns are "bullet pullers". Also.44 mag and .45 colt with heavy bullets would be better roll crimped. I did a test a few years back in the .357 with 2400 and 296 max loads roll crimped vs taper crimped. Velocities and es/sd's were the same. IMO the taper crimp is fine in .38/.357.