first lead bullets

parttime · January 18, 2010, 12:28 PM

Here I go with another basic question!
I have loaded and fired several hundred rounds of jacketed bullets through my .357 mag handgun. I normally seat the bullets at 1.585 COL, which places the bullet in the case close to the top of the crimp ring. I recently purchased some lead bullets (158 gr.) from Missouri Bullet Co. When seating a dummy round with the lead bullets I found that when the COL is at 1.585 it places the top grove of the bullet inside the case. Is it OK to crimp at that point or should I increase the length and seat the bullet at the top of the upper grove of the lead cast bullet and crimp there? Thanks in advance for any help with this silly question.

snuffy · January 18, 2010, 12:54 PM

Not a silly question, but what is so special about 1.585? Seating the bullet out a little further does not break any laws. Unless doing so results in the bullet exceeding the length of the cylinder. As long as the round can chamber and allow the cylinder to rotate, you're good to go.

PCJim · January 18, 2010, 05:16 PM

To add to Snuffy's response, it is always safer to use a greater COL than what is published as it increases case volume beneath the bullet and thus reduces pressure. Again, provided as Snuffy said, that the round will properly chamber in the cylinder.

On the other hand, reducing COL reduces case volume thus increasing pressure. This is where you have to be careful. If you find that you need to use a shorter COL, rework your loads.

Edward429451 · January 18, 2010, 08:07 PM

Your COAL will be determined by the location of the crimp groove on your lead bullet for revolver rounds. Lead bullets take less powder than jacketed also.

That'll Do · January 19, 2010, 12:15 PM

Parttime,

When seating lead bullets, the crimp groove will determine the seating depth. You want to seat the bullet so that you'll be crimping the brass into the top of the groove.

The only instance where I would not seat in the crimp groove would be if the round was too long for the cylinder (which does occur with certain guns, in certain calibers).

parttime · January 19, 2010, 06:13 PM

Thank you everyone for the info. The main concern that I had was that the crimp groove on the lead cast bullets is so much deeper than the jacketed bullets I thought that it may create a looser crimp and the bullet might slide forward. I loaded up 16 rounds with the bullets seated at the top of the crimp groove and fired them this afternoon. They worked flawlessly, no creeping forward of the bullets as I had feared. They did have a point of impact slightly higher than my other rounds however (gives more reason to reload and experiment some more). I must also say that the ordering and shipping from Missouri Bullet Co. was easy and fast, with a price so reasonable that it is making me rethink my wanting to cast my own. Thanks again everyone.

January 18, 2010, 12:28 PM	#1
parttime Member Join Date: August 25, 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 82	first lead bullets Here I go with another basic question! I have loaded and fired several hundred rounds of jacketed bullets through my .357 mag handgun. I normally seat the bullets at 1.585 COL, which places the bullet in the case close to the top of the crimp ring. I recently purchased some lead bullets (158 gr.) from Missouri Bullet Co. When seating a dummy round with the lead bullets I found that when the COL is at 1.585 it places the top grove of the bullet inside the case. Is it OK to crimp at that point or should I increase the length and seat the bullet at the top of the upper grove of the lead cast bullet and crimp there? Thanks in advance for any help with this silly question. __________________ The wants of the many DO NOT outweigh my needs.

January 18, 2010, 12:54 PM	#2
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	Not a silly question, but what is so special about 1.585? Seating the bullet out a little further does not break any laws. Unless doing so results in the bullet exceeding the length of the cylinder. As long as the round can chamber and allow the cylinder to rotate, you're good to go. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

January 19, 2010, 06:13 PM	#6
parttime Member Join Date: August 25, 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 82	Thank you everyone for the info. The main concern that I had was that the crimp groove on the lead cast bullets is so much deeper than the jacketed bullets I thought that it may create a looser crimp and the bullet might slide forward. I loaded up 16 rounds with the bullets seated at the top of the crimp groove and fired them this afternoon. They worked flawlessly, no creeping forward of the bullets as I had feared. They did have a point of impact slightly higher than my other rounds however (gives more reason to reload and experiment some more). I must also say that the ordering and shipping from Missouri Bullet Co. was easy and fast, with a price so reasonable that it is making me rethink my wanting to cast my own. Thanks again everyone. __________________ The wants of the many DO NOT outweigh my needs.

January 18, 2010, 05:16 PM	#3
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	To add to Snuffy's response, it is always safer to use a greater COL than what is published as it increases case volume beneath the bullet and thus reduces pressure. Again, provided as Snuffy said, that the round will properly chamber in the cylinder. On the other hand, reducing COL reduces case volume thus increasing pressure. This is where you have to be careful. If you find that you need to use a shorter COL, rework your loads.

January 18, 2010, 08:07 PM	#4
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Your COAL will be determined by the location of the crimp groove on your lead bullet for revolver rounds. Lead bullets take less powder than jacketed also.

January 19, 2010, 12:15 PM	#5
That'll Do Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 546	Parttime, When seating lead bullets, the crimp groove will determine the seating depth. You want to seat the bullet so that you'll be crimping the brass into the top of the groove. The only instance where I would not seat in the crimp groove would be if the round was too long for the cylinder (which does occur with certain guns, in certain calibers).