To Crimp or not Crimp

TackDriver284

Handloader
Feb 13, 2016
2,859
2,977
I have my .38 Super block set up on my Dillon 550B, I checked the dies and had them cleaned out. The crimp die has T. CR stamped on it, so its a taper crimp. The crimp die had little powdered brass flakes stuck in there from crimping the case mouths. I think little crimp is needed just to reduce the flare from expanding the case mouths and to hold the bullet in place when firing.
How much crimp do you guys use? I recall pulling some .38 Super bullets to toss and noticed some little squeezing marks around the bullet midway, from the crimp. Should I back it off some?
 
I crimp all pistol and rifle rounds for semi and ba's (don't own any rrevolvers). It's a choice as we use what works for the individual! I will say 357sig need a crimp as there's not much neck to hold the bullet very well. Probably any bottleneck pistol cartridges need it.
 
With your .38 Super you're headspacing off the mouth. Enough crimp to straighten the mouth plus a bit extra to hold the bullet in place. A Lee factory crimp die would solve a lot of issues and hold the bullet in place real well.
 
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