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.38 special crimp
- Kissmybrass
- Cattle Driver
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- Joined: Tue May 04, 2021 1:00 pm
- Location: Issaquah
.38 special crimp
Unless I"m not getting this right I cannot crimp .38's with my .38/.357 RCBS die set. Kinda strange this isn't mentioned anywhere. I just reloaded and set the bullets as normal but there is no reach due to the shorter shells. I'm getting a seperate Lee Factory Crimp Die for them unless I hear different.
0 x
H010G 45-70
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
- Kissmybrass
- Cattle Driver
- Posts: 594
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2021 1:00 pm
- Location: Issaquah
Re: .38 special crimp
If I don't hear from the guys here I will on Monday. The help on this forum is amazing! Years and years of experience and no BS
0 x
H010G 45-70
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
- Shakey Jake
- Drover
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Re: .38 special crimp
You should be able to. Place a empty case in the shell holder and run the die down until you feel it touch the case. Remove the case and then turn the die down an additional quarter to half a turn. If you have a loaded round back off the seating stem so that it doesn't seat the bullet any further. Run the loaded round again. You should then be able to see a crimp on the loaded round.
Jake
Jake
2 x
- runnin n gunnin
- Cattle Driver
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Re: .38 special crimp
KMB, I use a Lee Factory Crimp die. They are bone cheap at around 20 t0 25 bucks, once set good to go and it gives (in my humble opinion) a better crimp.
I use a Hornady progressive or a Redding turret.
I use Hornady or Redding dies, but the Lee is just easier and I get a better crimp.
I use a Hornady progressive or a Redding turret.
I use Hornady or Redding dies, but the Lee is just easier and I get a better crimp.
2 x
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Re: .38 special crimp
Never had any issues crimping 38 special with 357 dies
1 x
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H001T .22LR
H001T .22LR MONUMENT VALLEY
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H001T .22LR
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SIDE GATE 38-55
- Kissmybrass
- Cattle Driver
- Posts: 594
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2021 1:00 pm
- Location: Issaquah
Re: .38 special crimp
Yeah I have a Lee I got from Al. Love it! Gonna do the same for the 38'srunnin n gunnin wrote: ↑Sat Sep 11, 2021 10:11 pmKMB, I use a Lee Factory Crimp die. They are bone cheap at around 20 t0 25 bucks, once set good to go and it gives (in my humble opinion) a better crimp.
I use a Hornady progressive or a Redding turret.
I use Hornady or Redding dies, but the Lee is just easier and I get a better crimp.
1 x
H010G 45-70
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
- Kissmybrass
- Cattle Driver
- Posts: 594
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2021 1:00 pm
- Location: Issaquah
Re: .38 special crimp
Shakey Jake wrote: ↑Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:35 pmYou should be able to. Place a empty case in the shell holder and run the die down until you feel it touch the case. Remove the case and then turn the die down an additional quarter to half a turn. If you have a loaded round back off the seating stem so that it doesn't seat the bullet any further. Run the loaded round again. You should then be able to see a crimp on the loaded round.
Jake
The bottom of the die hits the shell holder before any stoppage. Definitely using the right die. Don't know why this is perplexing. I reloaded .357 mags last week with zero problems. I bought the set used so maybe there's a chance this die is .357 only?
0 x
H010G 45-70
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
- Kissmybrass
- Cattle Driver
- Posts: 594
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2021 1:00 pm
- Location: Issaquah
Re: .38 special crimp
Yep, I tested a .357 magnum and it crimped perfectly. The bottom of the die was 1/16" of an inch from the shell holder explaining why .38s won't work.
Top of die reads as is:
RCBS .357 MG SEAT 80
Dies are working out really well minus the .38 crimp. Definitely investing in another Lee Factory crimp
Top of die reads as is:
RCBS .357 MG SEAT 80
Dies are working out really well minus the .38 crimp. Definitely investing in another Lee Factory crimp
0 x
H010G 45-70
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
- Rifletom
- Deputy Marshal
- Posts: 3904
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2018 11:26 pm
- Location: California Territory
Re: .38 special crimp
Kmb, for simplicity, get the Lee FCD. I use one for .38/.357 with my old RCBS dies. But, I have in the RCBS box a spacer that is used with the .357 dies, except the sizer. I believe it measures 0.128". Without the spacer, all dies work and crimp .38's with no issue at all. Including the Lee FCD.
Hope this helps a bit.
Hope this helps a bit.
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