A couple rounds from my first batch of reloaded 38 special off my Lee classic turret press:

158gr SWC Xtreme copper plated bullets

3.5 grains of Titegroup

COL:  approx 1.455

 

 

I think I crimped a bit too much...  but it's the starting load at 3.5 grains of Titegroup (off Hodgdon load data)

 

What do you guys think?  

are you going for the roll crimp thing? they look awful tight to me.

 

Try using round nose bullets, to ease reloading ( flat points do not lend well to reloading into a cylinder ) 

 

a taper crimp is fine, all you are really doing is flattening out the bell + a few thou in.

Don't listen to him - LOL. A roll crimp is fine, actually preferable, especially with slower burning powders or heavy recoiling guns - neither of which yours is, but still. Too much roll crimp bulges the case right behind the crimp, to the point it won't chamber. You could back off just a FRC.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Great info - thanks guys.  I'll need to adjust and back off the crimp

 

According to Hodgdon, this should make 126 PF for minor.  Nice light shooting rounds for practice

Does look like A pretty tight crimp.

38 SPL does use the roll crimp, But not that much, You just need to remove the bell.

One caution to keep in mind,  TiteGroup is A low volume powder. Keep an eye on your powder drop, Especially with the deep case of A 38 SPL .

I have A LED light strip on my turret that helps with seeing the level of the powder.

 

I use TG for my 9mm loads.

Yeah I make sure to be particularly cautious charging with titegroup. Taking my time weighing and charging one round at a time.

According to Hodgdon, this should make 126 PF for minor. Nice light shooting rounds for practice

That's fine if you're shooting USPSA with an 8-shot 627, but if you want to shoot IDPA with a 6-shot revolver and speed loaders, you only have to make a 105 PF.

 

Two slots left for March Somerset on 3/20. We had five revolver shooters there last Sunday.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Whoops my current loads should be 111 PF, not 126..  was looking at max 

 

Thanks Bob I'll keep the next match in mind.  I just registered for IDPA.  

Congrats on your first reloads. It's a great hobby.

definitely a great hobby

 

next up is to load 9mm for my P226

I have a nice set of Lee 9mm carbide dies if interested.

I'll second what's already been said. That crimp is too tight. It won't make much of a difference in a low pressure round like the 38sp.  But just something to keep in mind...

Just loaded up another 50 rounds with less crimp

 

 

I think these should be good to go  

Shoot some before you load much more --  

 

You would hate to have to disassemble  those rounds if something was wrong

 

Start low, work up your powder charge --  You'll find a sweet spot between PF, accuracy, recoil -- everything will come together

 

When you get there you'll know

Yeah that was the last 50 before testing them out.  I made up some 357magnum loads earlier as well with TG and Unique (all starting charges according to hodgdon & alliant) but have a similar tight crimp that I need to test out.  I'm thinking they'll be fine since all are at baseline powder charges, but I'm sure accuracy will suffer some.

 

This is so addicting...  wtf did I get myself into.  

This is so addicting...  wtf did I get myself into.  

 

This is just the beginning.  It's a deeeeeeeeeepppppppp rabbit hole.

Get a case gauge takes all the guess work out.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/645976/le-wilson-max-cartridge-gage-38-special

Get a case gauge takes all the guess work out.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/645976/le-wilson-max-cartridge-gage-38-special

 

I got a multi caliber case gauge... works like a charm.  But... the best way to see is to actually check each as it fits into the cylinder if for revolver, or barrel for semi autos. 

38spl case length in a 357 chamber I think we can agree is not an issue.

 

As to Maks comment...If you lock your dial caliper into max case length you can just slip your cases through.

 

You eliminate another piece of equipment and IMHO you get a more precise assessment.

A good way to see if you have too much crimp is to pull the bullet on a loaded round, if it really digs into the coating / jacket too much and deforms the lead/jacket it's probably too much.

I made sure to check all cartridges in the cylinder and they all dropped in and out fine. Well except a few that I messed up and marked as no good lol

 

A bullet pulling die Is on my next post of things to get. I am concerned that a few cases will have dug into the bullets though. I separated light and heavily crimped cartridges to see if it makes a difference at the range

Use a kinetic bullet puller for quick pulls of pistol brass.

Ahhhhhhh......crimping the debate for the ages. I like a bit of a roll on my revolver cartridges.

I didn't notice any difference when I fired the heavy vs light roll crimps... Does look nice with a RC though

Its all good!

 

 you're shooting 38's in a 357....Just crimp them right into the cannelure.

 

I can second the comment about beware of double charging...I usually use  Bullseye, and double charges are my only real fear.  When I am using a single stage press, I will load up 50 on a loading tray and bring them over to a light and look down into EACH case before I seat and crimp the bullet...just to be sure.  .

Yup...  I make sure to check every powder charge since it's such a small amount of powder

 

With titegroup, there's only a 0.4 grain difference from starting load to max so it made me pretty nervous at first 

Get a powder cop and go slow. Or a lockout. Whatever press youre using.

whoa I didn't know such a thing existed.  thanks for the info

 

I'm considering getting a powder measure for my turret press and the powder cop die would seem to be good insurance if I decide to speed things up

whoa I didn't know such a thing existed.  thanks for the info

 

I'm considering getting a powder measure for my turret press and the powder cop die would seem to be good insurance if I decide to speed things up

With a turret press, reloading pistol cartridges, you could use a powder cop die but then if you wanted to use the the Lee Factory Crimp die or any separate crimp die, you will run out of stations. You would have to use the crimp feature on the bullet seater die itself. Some people like that option some do not.. Depends what works best for you.

I use and RCBS lockout die.