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Tom68 · May 8, 2012, 08:35 AM

I recently loaded some Ranier plated bullets in .38/.357 and have had very limited success. Using a Lee 3-die set, I currently have no means to taper crimp this cartridge, and although I have not yet done any specific research as to "why", I initially experienced some wild spreads (as much as 200 fps). I suspect this is due to a lack of crimp, and some of the bullets are backing out. Not enough to tie up the cylinder, mind you... and these were very light loads, so I am reasoning that pressures are dropping in some cartridges. I did NOT shoot a few and then measure the remaining loads in the cylinder...that would be my next step to determine if they are truly backing out.

Last night I pulled a dozen from the initial set, and the whack-a-mole indicated a significant variance in neck tension--that is, if the inertia puller is any accurate way of comparing. Some cartridges took up to six whacks to unseat the bullet, while others took only two. That in itself is somewhat troubling, but not the purpose of this thread.

My question: How are others crimping plated bullets in revolver cartridges? Without a crimping groove, I consider a roll crimp out of the queston unless the bullet is seated deeper and crimped over the ogive. Are others doing this, while watching for pressure....or using a taper crimp? or, nothing at all but neck tension to keep bullets from unseating?

I load several bottleneck rifle cartridges, as well as .40 S&W, but this is my first foray into revolver cartridges, so I'm interested to see how others work this issue. I do not cast my own bullets, but if using lead is the only real solution, I'm okay with that as well.

May 8, 2012, 08:35 AM	#1
Tom68 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 349	Plated bullets in revolver cartridges I recently loaded some Ranier plated bullets in .38/.357 and have had very limited success. Using a Lee 3-die set, I currently have no means to taper crimp this cartridge, and although I have not yet done any specific research as to "why", I initially experienced some wild spreads (as much as 200 fps). I suspect this is due to a lack of crimp, and some of the bullets are backing out. Not enough to tie up the cylinder, mind you... and these were very light loads, so I am reasoning that pressures are dropping in some cartridges. I did NOT shoot a few and then measure the remaining loads in the cylinder...that would be my next step to determine if they are truly backing out. Last night I pulled a dozen from the initial set, and the whack-a-mole indicated a significant variance in neck tension--that is, if the inertia puller is any accurate way of comparing. Some cartridges took up to six whacks to unseat the bullet, while others took only two. That in itself is somewhat troubling, but not the purpose of this thread. My question: How are others crimping plated bullets in revolver cartridges? Without a crimping groove, I consider a roll crimp out of the queston unless the bullet is seated deeper and crimped over the ogive. Are others doing this, while watching for pressure....or using a taper crimp? or, nothing at all but neck tension to keep bullets from unseating? I load several bottleneck rifle cartridges, as well as .40 S&W, but this is my first foray into revolver cartridges, so I'm interested to see how others work this issue. I do not cast my own bullets, but if using lead is the only real solution, I'm okay with that as well.