Plated bullet question for 38 sp.

[340PD]

I thought I would give Berry's plated 125 gr Flat Point bullets a try in 38 special. They do not have a crimping groove. Do I roll crimp, or should use a taper crimp? My concern is having the other bullets move rearward in their cases during recoil in my snubbie.
Thanks

 

[Ifishsum]

Taper would be best to avoid damaging the plating on the bullet. A very light roll crimp (just barely there) would work fine IMO but your cases have to be trimmed to exactly the same length, otherwise you'll get inconsistencies - no crimp on some, and slight buckling on some.

 

[joneb]

I have loaded 125, 140 and 158gr plated for .38spl. My S&W M-10 has a 6" barrel and my S&W M-36 a 1.875" both are fixed sights and are regulated for 158gr bullets, the 125gr bullets shot 3-4" low at 10-25 yrds, the 140s about 2" low, the 158s shot POA.
At first I used a light roll crimp on the non-cannalured bullets this worked well when using faster powders like Bullseye and W231, slower powders did not burn completely with the light roll crimp. Then I found a taper crimp die at a gun show for $5 and use that now, it works well for 140, 158gr plated with AA#5, I still like W-231 for 125s but rarely load them.

 

[Mark whiz]

I've gotten to the point where I use a taper crimp on my plated .38 & .357 rounds. It just seems to work a little better for me.