Crimping

[Fritz357]

Loading 357 using 158 gr lswc from missouri bullet 4.5 gr tightgroup small mag primers should i crimp

 

[mdi]

LSWC.? Yes, roll, profile or collect crimp into the crimp groove...

 

[Walkalong]

I agree with @mdi.

IIRC, these were done with an RCBS seater. I also have a couple of Redding Profile Crimp dies that also do great work.

 

[joneb]

IIRC, these were done with an RCBS seater. I also have a couple of Redding Profile Crimp dies that also do great work.

That looks about right, nice job.

 

[bullseye308]

I always crimp revolver loads, even my lightweight 38 loads. I was told to long ago by someone with much more knowledge than myself and didn’t figure I’d be the one to reinvent the wheel.

 

[EricBu]

Loading 357 using 158 gr lswc from missouri bullet 4.5 gr tightgroup small mag primers should i crimp

Yes. I've also found that light fill TG loads gain consistency with a medium + crimp as well. And you definitely do not need magnum primers for that load. That's my "gotta use up these anemic non-tox murom primers" load, a wet match will light TG off.

 

[Fritz357]

Yes. I've also found that light fill TG loads gain consistency with a medium + crimp as well. And you definitely do not need magnum primers for that load. That's my "gotta use up these anemic non-tox murom primers" load, a wet match will light TG off.

Thats good to know thank you

 

[Fritz357]

Yes. I've also found that light fill TG loads gain consistency with a medium + crimp as well. And you definitely do not need magnum primers for that load. That's my "gotta use up these anemic non-tox murom primers" load, a wet match will light TG off.

What powder do you like for 357?

 

[Charlie98]

I also have a couple of Redding Profile Crimp dies that also do great work.

Question: What is the benefit to the profile crimp die vs a standard roller?

 

[EricBu]

What powder do you like for 357?

For 158 RNFP or SWC, I like AA9 or Shooter's World Heavy Pistol. Lots and lots of choices there, just about anything from Unique to H110 will push that depending on what you want to do with it, and wwhat kind of cast that is. When using TG on those, I've found the sweet spot to be around the middle of the load range. More powder get's you lot's of flash and recoil, but very little additional velocity.

 

[Walkalong]

Question: What is the benefit to the profile crimp die vs a standard roller?

Vs a standard RCBS seater with built in roll crimp?

Not much, both do an excellent job.

The quality of crimp depends not only on the die, but the quality of the cannelure or crimp groove, as well as set up, which depends on th operator.

 

[AJC1]

Question: What is the benefit to the profile crimp die vs a standard roller?

My search indicates it was developed for "super magnums" like the 454, 460 and 500 with insane amounts of recoil. I don't shoot any of those so I haven't pursued it. It also seems to have disappeared as I don't see current dies with that option, but I don't search those calibers.

 

[Walkalong]

I have a Redding Profile Crimp die for .45 Colt, and one or two others, don’t remember which ones though, would have to look.

 

[Charlie98]

Vs a standard RCBS seater with built in roll crimp?

Not much, both do an excellent job.

That's basically it... most of my revolver dies are RCBS, I've always had good service from the roller in those.

 

[.45Coltguy]

What powder do you like for 357?

Alliant 2400 is a very good, versitable powder. Forgiving in light to med charges. If you need heavy, 2400 has that also.

 

[EricBu]

Question: What is the benefit to the profile crimp die vs a standard roller?

The main benefit is that it makes your wallet about 3.00 lighter. I have a bunch of them for various calibers that I bought when I couldn't find other dies. They do an ok job. The crimp may be a bit more consistent <shrug>, but they do seem to have a tendency to shave a very fine hair like sliver of brass off of new cases. Nothing harmful, but annoying. Tumbling new brass, and lubing it will help with that a bit. Personally, I rarely use them, I much prefer using a RCBS die with the seating stem removed for my crimping station.

 

[.38 Special]

Good advice so far. With the OP's load I would use a moderate roll crimp.

My two favorite powders for the .357 are Unique and 2400. Unique does well for mild to midrange loads, and 2400 gets you almost to the maximum capabilities of the cartridge. Neither powder, of course, is available these days, so most of us are using whatever we can get. (700x and AA #9, in my case.)

 

[__steve__]

The quality of crimp depends not only on the die, but the quality of the cannelure or crimp groove, as well as set up, which depends on th operator.

And not to mention very consistent case length

 

[Walkalong]

Yes indeed, thanks for reminding us.