.357 mag FMJ crimp?

spacecoast · December 6, 2009, 08:08 PM

I did my first batch of .357 mag reloads tonight using 125 gr. Berry's plated bullets over 7 grains of Titegroup, which should be good for about 1450 fps or so. My question is, do I need to crimp them? There is no crimp ring on the smooth-sided bullets and the rounds chamber fine in my 686. I didn't crimp my first batch of .38 specials with this bullet and there were no problems with the bullets unseating during use. I'm a little concerned that this could be more of a problem with the increased recoil of the .357 load.

Thanks in advance...

res45 · December 6, 2009, 09:52 PM

From Berry's on load the plated bullets for 357 Mag. Here is there FAQ page.
http://www.berrysmfg.com/faq.aspx?q=14&c=1

Quote:

Our standard caliber copper plated bullets have only two cautions - NO velocities over 1200 FPS and NO heavy roll crimps.

Suggest an OAL for 357 should be from 1.530 to 1.570.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · December 6, 2009, 10:04 PM

You can put a slight roll crimp on a bullet without a cannelure. If you put too much of a roll crimp, the case will begin to bulge just below the case mouth. Too much of a roll crimp with plated bullets will pierce the rather thin plating. RES45 is right...you used data for jacketed bullets and plated bullets require lead bullet load data as a good starting point. Prolly be a good time to pull out the bullet puller... Got any manuals????

Mark whiz · December 6, 2009, 11:03 PM

I bought a taper crimp die in .38/.357 specifically for loading Ranier and Berry's plated bullets - keeps things tight without bulging cases or deforming the bullet or its plating.

spacecoast · December 7, 2009, 04:45 AM

Quote:

From Berry's on load the plated bullets for 357 Mag. Here is there FAQ page.
http://www.berrysmfg.com/faq.aspx?q=14&c=1

Thanks - I'm glad I only did 50 of them! Sounds like a bullet puller is in my future.

spacecoast · December 12, 2009, 08:35 PM

Update - I used a Frankford Arsenal puller (a very handy tool once you learn how to use it) to pull the 50 rounds I asked about and re-loaded a dozen of them with 6 grains of Accurate #2. My thoughts are that this will be a mild .357 load and keep the velocity under 1200 fps. Any comments are appreciated.

Foxbat · December 12, 2009, 10:24 PM

You can perfectly use plated bullets at slightly over 1300fps, there are no ill effects. You don't want to use roll crimp, but the factory crimp does excellent job without distorting the cases. That's what I use and it works like a charm.

Sport45 · December 12, 2009, 11:22 PM

Your 6" S&W 686 is heavy enough that a crimp shouldn't be needed for the 125gr bullets. Keep the velocity to 1200fps or so as recommended by the maker and proper neck tension should keep them in place. Use just enough "crimp" to straighten out the belling from the expander.

Citywaterman · December 13, 2009, 07:02 PM

If you have any questions about Berry's plated bullets, give Mr. Bud Watson a call in California, 909-930-5822. He's a old school reloader and loves to help with reloading questions (He's a rep for Berry's bullets). He did stress not to exceed 1200fps and a light crimp. Citywaterman

spacecoast · December 13, 2009, 08:55 PM

The 6 grains of Accurate #2 with a 125 gr. plated bullet turned out to be pretty wimpy - similar to a mild .38 round. I will definitely take that up to 7.2 grains the next go-round, and I believe it will still stay safely under 1200 fps.

December 6, 2009, 08:08 PM	#1
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	.357 mag FMJ crimp? I did my first batch of .357 mag reloads tonight using 125 gr. Berry's plated bullets over 7 grains of Titegroup, which should be good for about 1450 fps or so. My question is, do I need to crimp them? There is no crimp ring on the smooth-sided bullets and the rounds chamber fine in my 686. I didn't crimp my first batch of .38 specials with this bullet and there were no problems with the bullets unseating during use. I'm a little concerned that this could be more of a problem with the increased recoil of the .357 load. Thanks in advance...

December 6, 2009, 10:04 PM	#3
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	You can put a slight roll crimp on a bullet without a cannelure. If you put too much of a roll crimp, the case will begin to bulge just below the case mouth. Too much of a roll crimp with plated bullets will pierce the rather thin plating. RES45 is right...you used data for jacketed bullets and plated bullets require lead bullet load data as a good starting point. Prolly be a good time to pull out the bullet puller... Got any manuals???? __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

December 6, 2009, 11:03 PM	#4
Mark whiz Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Wabash, IN Posts: 227	I bought a taper crimp die in .38/.357 specifically for loading Ranier and Berry's plated bullets - keeps things tight without bulging cases or deforming the bullet or its plating. __________________ "Every moving thing that liveth, I give unto you as meat" (Gen 9:3) Aim small.........miss small. Trust God..........but keep your powder dry!

December 12, 2009, 11:22 PM	#8
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Your 6" S&W 686 is heavy enough that a crimp shouldn't be needed for the 125gr bullets. Keep the velocity to 1200fps or so as recommended by the maker and proper neck tension should keep them in place. Use just enough "crimp" to straighten out the belling from the expander. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

December 13, 2009, 07:02 PM	#9
Citywaterman Member Join Date: March 30, 2009 Posts: 99	Bud Watson If you have any questions about Berry's plated bullets, give Mr. Bud Watson a call in California, 909-930-5822. He's a old school reloader and loves to help with reloading questions (He's a rep for Berry's bullets). He did stress not to exceed 1200fps and a light crimp. Citywaterman

December 12, 2009, 08:35 PM	#6
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Update - I used a Frankford Arsenal puller (a very handy tool once you learn how to use it) to pull the 50 rounds I asked about and re-loaded a dozen of them with 6 grains of Accurate #2. My thoughts are that this will be a mild .357 load and keep the velocity under 1200 fps. Any comments are appreciated.

December 12, 2009, 10:24 PM	#7
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	You can perfectly use plated bullets at slightly over 1300fps, there are no ill effects. You don't want to use roll crimp, but the factory crimp does excellent job without distorting the cases. That's what I use and it works like a charm.

December 13, 2009, 08:55 PM	#10
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	The 6 grains of Accurate #2 with a 125 gr. plated bullet turned out to be pretty wimpy - similar to a mild .38 round. I will definitely take that up to 7.2 grains the next go-round, and I believe it will still stay safely under 1200 fps.