Author Topic: 38sp HBWC - Crimp or Not (Read 509 times)

mg66 · « **on:** June 19, 2006, 12:55:12 AM »

I usually load my 38sp target loads using a Hornady 158 grain LSWC with a very light Lee factory roll crimp. Well, I have acquired several thousand 148 grain HBWC for almost nothing from a guy that does not shoot competitively any more. Does anyone light crimp these or use no crimp. It seems that the amount of length these HBWC have in the cases would be sufficient not to crimp.

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2006, 01:03:06 AM »

I put a light crimp in mine. You probably don't need to.

dubber123 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2006, 03:10:10 AM »

I also use a light crimp. Just a little past straightening out the bell on the case mouth. I just think the loaded rounds look better this way. They shoot great also.

rbwillnj · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2006, 04:38:10 AM »

I like a light roll crimp. I think it improves consistancy, and probably helps a little with feeding full wadcutters.

I assume you are seating them flush with the case mouth.

mg66 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2006, 11:48:21 AM »

Going from my old senile memory now, coz I am at work .... cases trimmed to 1.140" and hornady manual states COL as 1.180". I am using speer hbwc in a DW revolver.

rbwillnj · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2006, 04:10:56 PM »

I shoot two 38 Special Guns, and both are Semi Autos. One is a Model 52-1, and the other is a Clark built 1911. With the Model 52, you have to seat the bullet flush with the case mouth, or the cartridge won't fit in the magazine. With the Clark, there is slighlty more room to leave the lead out a little bit, but I load them all the same.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2006, 04:30:48 AM »

I use these bullets for practice and use the crimp on my seating die. I use RCBS dies. That works great for me.

If don't need to go out and buy a special crimp die for these bullets, just use you seating die. That is unless you plan to use these bullets for some kind of competition. Then go for it. :wink:

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that these bullets come with a crimp groove. You don't have to load them flush with the case mouth.

sgtt · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2006, 05:58:52 PM »

I would recommend that you experiment and see what works for you. I have found that some light loads will start to pull the bullets from the case if not crimped. It depends on the bullet, case, sizer combination I think. I suspect there is a reason that even the light target (match) loads from the factories are crimped.