Question about seating lead bullets

[bsctov]

I am loading up a test batch of .38 special with 158gr LSWC bullets, sitting on 3.5 grains of VV-N320, and the data calls for a COL of 1.437, however, at this depth the crimp grove of my bullet is below the rim of the case, is this alright?

I would usually roll crimp into this grove, but now that it's below, should I just taper crimp?

 

[Havok7416]

You can play with your COL to get it where the bullet fits. As long as it fits in the chamber (and if you are shortening COL, making sure it isn't too deep) you are fine. My .38 Specials have a COL of about 1.47" if that means anything to you.

The rounds should be roll crimped.

 

[Steve C]

When seating revolver bullets you seat so that when you crimp it is into the crimping groove. The OAL length in the manual is not much use in setting cartridge length in revolver ammo. The only OAL dimension that is important is that the bullet must not extend beyond the cylinder face and fully chamber without engaging the cylinder throats.

Check a loaded round in your shortest cylinder revolver, for me that is a Colt revolvers to make sure the bullet doesn't extend beyond the cylinder face. If it does it will tie up cylinder rotation. Normally if the bullets sticking out beyond the cylinder face it only takes a slight adjustment seating the bullet deeper, but the crimp will still be in the crimping groove.

 

[bsctov]

I used a roll crimp above the crimp grove,

I applied the crimp about half way above the top red line in this picture}





I'm hoping that will be ok, I thought about just seating them at my regular depth but then I figured this is technically a "Cowboy action load", and the data called for COL of 1.437 that I might not get enough pressure to ensure good ignition of this extruded powder and could end up with a squib.

 

[steve4102]

OAL is always Bullet and firearm specific, never manual specific.

 

[243winxb]

Its ok. But most would crimp in the groove if oal works in your cylinder.http://www.vihtavuori.com/en/reloading-data/handgun-reloading/-38-special-.html

 

[Walkalong]

Roll crimp into the crimp groove on the bullet. That is the correct OAL for that bullet. It's fairly rare when this won't fit a cylinder. If it doesn't though, you need a different bullet or crimp it differently. The norm is to crimp into the groove supplied though.

 

[ku4hx]

As long as the cylinder rotates properly, and the bullet stays in place upon firing, you can generally seat the bullet to a longer than "standard" OAL with no problems.

I've always roll crimped at the crimping groove for magnum loads and used little to no crimp on low power loads (at the crimping groove) if neck tension alone holds the bullet securely.

 

[MEHavey]

With revolvers, crimp into the groove and then check for cylinder fit/function.
If bullet fits/cylinder revolves -- that's your baseline

 

[bsctov]

Thank you for the info everyone, I have seated the remaining ones to my normal depth of 1.475 which allowed me to apply a very nice looking crimp.

 

[TimSr]

Ignore OAL data and roll crimp in the cannelure. Cast bullets vary greatly in shape from one maker to the next, which will result in OAL variations. Seating depth is pretty standard when using the cannelure as a reference.