Where to crimp SWC..how far in?

marklyftogt · June 27, 2012, 04:20 PM

Just got my first box of LSWC 158 grain bullets that I will be loading in 38 spl and 357.

I have done tons of 148 gr HBWC and 158 gr RN but this is new for me.

Curious how far the bullet goes in. Should there just be a little room below the top part of the bullet and crimp right under it or should the top part of the bullet just be past the edge of the case?

Also thinking the loads will be the same as 158 gr RN?

I usually load .1 grain over the starting load.

sc928porsche · June 27, 2012, 04:31 PM

I roll crimp those into the top lube groove.

Tuzo · June 27, 2012, 04:46 PM

http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&...,r:5,s:0,i:116

Depending on your seating/crimping or crimping die, a roll crimp into the crimping groove is called for. After seating is set, incrementally crimp until the crimp is fully in the groove. I usually crimp until a sharp bright ring is visible on the casing mouth and back off about 1/8 to 1/4 turn or until the ring disappears.

marklyftogt · June 27, 2012, 05:11 PM

...and Tuzo...now I want a Marlin 1894 in 357!

mrawesome22 · June 27, 2012, 09:13 PM

www.tinyurl.com

Sent from HenseMod6.

res45 · June 27, 2012, 10:41 PM

158 gr. SWC

marklyftogt · June 27, 2012, 10:43 PM

res45 I just loaded my first ones. They look like your pic. Beautiful bullets if i do say so myself

joneb · June 27, 2012, 11:30 PM

I crimp my 357 mag loads with 158 LSWC like res45's pic, and a bit less for 38spl.
For 38spl using AA#5 I use a heavy crimp for a bit more start pressure, for 38spl with Bullseye or W231 I use less crimp.
I trim my revolver brass for consistent crimping.

dahermit · June 28, 2012, 09:51 AM

Look at some factory SWC loads. Even heavy loads do not require an excessive crimp. Using heavy crimps shortens the life of the brass. Cases almost always show signs of failure by beginning to crack at the neck.
The purpose of a crimp is to prevent bullet creep from recoil (or when using a tubular magizine, keep the bullets from setting back into the case). The hold that supports ignition is between the case walls and the sides of the bullet.
Excessive roll crimp as per picture, can actually lessen the hold on the bullet.
If such heavy crimps were needed, would not the manufactures apply them to factory rounds?
Just because the bullet was designed to have such a deep crimping groove does not mean the hand loader needs, or should, jam the brass all the way to the bottom of it. Elmer Keith was not always right.

marklyftogt · June 28, 2012, 12:28 PM

I agree dahermit. I actually had been loading 158 gr RN just before and I left everything the same and it lined up fine. Just enough crimp to work the brass in just a little. Thanks for the information.

CrustyFN · June 28, 2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

...and Tuzo...now I want a Marlin 1894 in 357!

I have one. It is one of the most accurate guns I have owned. Good luck, if you find one you better grab it quick they are very hard to find.

Tuzo · June 28, 2012, 02:36 PM

But in 44 Magnum. Great shooter - hits the 12" plate every time at 100 yards with SWCs. When I feel a plinking moment I load 44 Mag cases with a 44 Spl loading. Reaches out to 100 yards with good accuracy.

I roll crimp the 44s same as the 357s.

June 27, 2012, 04:20 PM	#1
marklyftogt Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2012 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 138	Where to crimp SWC..how far in? Just got my first box of LSWC 158 grain bullets that I will be loading in 38 spl and 357. I have done tons of 148 gr HBWC and 158 gr RN but this is new for me. Curious how far the bullet goes in. Should there just be a little room below the top part of the bullet and crimp right under it or should the top part of the bullet just be past the edge of the case? Also thinking the loads will be the same as 158 gr RN? I usually load .1 grain over the starting load.

June 27, 2012, 04:31 PM	#2
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	I roll crimp those into the top lube groove. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

June 27, 2012, 04:46 PM	#3
Tuzo Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 797	See the picture http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&...,r:5,s:0,i:116 Depending on your seating/crimping or crimping die, a roll crimp into the crimping groove is called for. After seating is set, incrementally crimp until the crimp is fully in the groove. I usually crimp until a sharp bright ring is visible on the casing mouth and back off about 1/8 to 1/4 turn or until the ring disappears.

June 27, 2012, 05:11 PM	#4
marklyftogt Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2012 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 138	Thanks guys ...and Tuzo...now I want a Marlin 1894 in 357!

June 28, 2012, 02:36 PM	#12
Tuzo Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 797	Tuzo owns a 32 year old Marlin 1894 But in 44 Magnum. Great shooter - hits the 12" plate every time at 100 yards with SWCs. When I feel a plinking moment I load 44 Mag cases with a 44 Spl loading. Reaches out to 100 yards with good accuracy. I roll crimp the 44s same as the 357s.

June 27, 2012, 09:13 PM	#5
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	www.tinyurl.com Sent from HenseMod6.

June 27, 2012, 10:41 PM	#6
res45 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 753	158 gr. SWC

June 27, 2012, 10:43 PM	#7
marklyftogt Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2012 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 138	res45 I just loaded my first ones. They look like your pic. Beautiful bullets if i do say so myself

June 27, 2012, 11:30 PM	#8
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I crimp my 357 mag loads with 158 LSWC like res45's pic, and a bit less for 38spl. For 38spl using AA#5 I use a heavy crimp for a bit more start pressure, for 38spl with Bullseye or W231 I use less crimp. I trim my revolver brass for consistent crimping.

June 28, 2012, 09:51 AM	#9
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Look at some factory SWC loads. Even heavy loads do not require an excessive crimp. Using heavy crimps shortens the life of the brass. Cases almost always show signs of failure by beginning to crack at the neck. The purpose of a crimp is to prevent bullet creep from recoil (or when using a tubular magizine, keep the bullets from setting back into the case). The hold that supports ignition is between the case walls and the sides of the bullet. Excessive roll crimp as per picture, can actually lessen the hold on the bullet. If such heavy crimps were needed, would not the manufactures apply them to factory rounds? Just because the bullet was designed to have such a deep crimping groove does not mean the hand loader needs, or should, jam the brass all the way to the bottom of it. Elmer Keith was not always right.

June 28, 2012, 12:28 PM	#10
marklyftogt Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2012 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 138	I agree dahermit. I actually had been loading 158 gr RN just before and I left everything the same and it lined up fine. Just enough crimp to work the brass in just a little. Thanks for the information.