New loader, new caliber question

JRHawkins1118 · May 8, 2024

First off thank everyone for all their help so far. You’re all wonderful.

I’m wanting to start loading some plinking rounds for my little 38 special.

In the past few months I’ve used a lot of acme and Berry’s. I like both. But wanted to start my 38 special journey with acme.

I purchased some of these lubed acme bullets.

38 CAL 125 Grain FP

ACME Bullet Company manufactures 38 Cal 125 FP (flat point) hard cast bullets and offers a variety of reloading supplies.

www.acmebullet.com

I’m assuming I need to purchase a roll crimp die. Correct me if that’s not needed with that groove in the projectile.

I bought a hornady custom grade die set 38/357. I’m pretty sure it is a taper crimp.

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/reloading-equipment-supplies/reloading-dies/hornady-lock-n-load-38-special-pistol-reloading-die/p/1163845

Any advice on getting me going on this bullet?

Creedmoor · May 9, 2024

The taper crimp will work just fine.

You also have a local cast bullet co called, Summit City bullets that sells very nice coated cast bullets. No worries with them leading the bore. We've shot thousands of his 9mm 124 grain bullets

.38 Sp / 357 mag

summitcitybullets.com

JRHawkins1118 · May 9, 2024

Creedmoor said:
The taper crimp will work just fine.

You also have a local cast bullet co called, Summit City bullets that sells very nice coated cast bullets. No worries with them leading the bore. We've shot thousands of his 9mm 124 grain bullets

.38 Sp / 357 mag

.38 Sp / 357 mag

summitcitybullets.com

Thanks - I’ll look them up today!

LokhXIV · May 9, 2024

I load .357 mag on a progressive and wanted to crimp in a separate step so I ended up buying this:

https://www.amazon.com/LEE-PRECISION-90861-Carbide-Factory/dp/B00162NVAM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2S2VGJVVG1CQA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FdsMgujZX4XT_ojWOVcMM_a34Xab_e9e2Z9V1f9iQg4SckBO53ntjP0MGTfUkmetgig-T9eb525lynwrXCH_sRwIAitFKIJU0qQSzgHLixLndr4AX0BwmxFK05MQ6viaEFjHCcJw_ihVxLU_TV38EWUHfvyB6HAZhbKwazxZz5ChB0s3gIH6ecPsj0MCds6fbHg3EvvUN2e4f7mlDGip4AdVzqApIerrsszSVyvIIk-uIhseqOkzhCLd11RZl7oDdRZ3itfW8qaYesS4I14c-apBrd-f1xqc7x5Q9FRhiPU.KZmUOIS2z8Q0VN5K3n59Q_scOdLeJf7oRg6gin7GQbM&dib_tag=se&keywords=lee+38+special+factory+crimp+die&qid=1715253370&sprefix=lee+38+special+factory+crimp+die%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

I've had great results and never had an issue with chambering. If you feel like you aren't quite getting what you want, it's a nice option.

tomcat13 · May 9, 2024

+1 for the Taper Crimp

Whip_McCord · May 9, 2024

I do not use a Lee Factory Crimp Die (FCD) for my revolvers. I shoot mostly cast or swaged bullets. Those are normally 1 to 2 thousandths larger than jacketed bullets. Sometimes you need to go larger, depending on bore size.

The Lee FCD sizes the entire loaded round, thus swaging the bullet to the nominal size of a jacketed bullet. If you determined the bore size by slugging the barrel and you determine you need a specific sized bullet, the FCD will swage it down to a smaller size. This is true with standard cast bullets also. You will lose accuracy and cause leading issues.

This is not just limited to revolvers. I purchase 9mm bullets sized to .357". I determined my Sigs' bores to be a little oversized and .357" works best for them. The FCD would ruin accuracy for those pistols too.

LokhXIV · May 9, 2024

Whip_McCord said:
I do not use a Lee Factory Crimp Die (FCD) for my revolvers. I shoot mostly cast or swaged bullets. Those are normally 1 to 2 thousandths larger than jacketed bullets. Sometimes you need to go larger, depending on bore size.

The Lee FCD sizes the entire loaded round, thus swaging the bullet to the nominal size of a jacketed bullet. If you determined the bore size by slugging the barrel and you determine you need a specific sized bullet, the FCD will swage it down to a smaller size. This is true with standard cast bullets also. You will lose accuracy and cause leading issues.

This is not just limited to revolvers. I purchase 9mm bullets sized to .357". I determined my Sigs' bores to be a little oversized and .357" works best for them. The FCD would ruin accuracy for those pistols too.

That's a good point to bring up. It's gonna be gun and bullet dependent. See what works and go from there.

Creedmoor · May 9, 2024

LokhXIV said:
I load .357 mag on a progressive and wanted to crimp in a separate step so I ended up buying this:

https://www.amazon.com/LEE-PRECISION-90861-Carbide-Factory/dp/B00162NVAM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2S2VGJVVG1CQA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FdsMgujZX4XT_ojWOVcMM_a34Xab_e9e2Z9V1f9iQg4SckBO53ntjP0MGTfUkmetgig-T9eb525lynwrXCH_sRwIAitFKIJU0qQSzgHLixLndr4AX0BwmxFK05MQ6viaEFjHCcJw_ihVxLU_TV38EWUHfvyB6HAZhbKwazxZz5ChB0s3gIH6ecPsj0MCds6fbHg3EvvUN2e4f7mlDGip4AdVzqApIerrsszSVyvIIk-uIhseqOkzhCLd11RZl7oDdRZ3itfW8qaYesS4I14c-apBrd-f1xqc7x5Q9FRhiPU.KZmUOIS2z8Q0VN5K3n59Q_scOdLeJf7oRg6gin7GQbM&dib_tag=se&keywords=lee+38+special+factory+crimp+die&qid=1715253370&sprefix=lee+38+special+factory+crimp+die%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

I've had great results and never had an issue with chambering. If you feel like you aren't quite getting what you want, it's a nice option.

I believe his Hornady die set is a 3 piece set. Size, flair and taper crimp dies.

JRHawkins1118 · May 9, 2024

Creedmoor said:
I believe his Hornady die set is a 3 piece set. Size, flair and taper crimp dies.

Yes it is.

Michigan Slim · May 9, 2024

I prefer a roll crimp as I use a lot in lever guns. A taper would work well in handguns.

New loader, new caliber question

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