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Posted: 5/8/2021 11:24:33 AM EDT

Currently I'm making two runs; seat, adjust, then crimp.

Cheap bastard in me says carry on but for the sake of continuity/hopefully accuracy I'm considering a separate crimp die but which one? Then back to the cheap bastard inside... Not yourall's problem!

TL;DR
What crimp die for 38spec/357mag.

Thanks

Posted: 5/8/2021 11:29:33 AM EDT

[#1]

Lots of guys like the Lee factory crimp. I use the Dillon’s on my Dillon

Posted: 5/8/2021 11:38:48 AM EDT

[#2]

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Quoted:
Lots of guys like the Lee factory crimp. I use the Dillon’s on my Dillon

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2nd This. I have a huge stock of good old 150gr SWCL lubed bullets and the quick drop seat die for cleaning out any wax buildup is a winner.

I cast up new stock and powder coat - but for plinker/practic/ give away to guests on my range its good enough and not worth my time and effort to reclaim until it been fired down range.

Posted: 5/8/2021 11:45:19 AM EDT

[#3]

I seat with a Hornady die, and crimp with an old LEE seater/crimp die. It makes a nice roll crimp. I have it adjusted to crimp only, and not seat.

any decent roll crimp die will work fine.

.

Posted: 5/8/2021 11:53:48 AM EDT

[#4]

I use Redding’s profile crimp die. Like you, I prefer to seat and crimp in separate operations but if push comes to shove I’ll seat and crimp at the same time. You can read the die manufacturers long winded instructions or go with my clif note version. To set the die to seat and crimp you first set the seating depth with the crimp shoulder of the die up out of the way. Then you set the amount of crimp you want with the seat plug up out of the way and set the die lock ring. Then you lower the seat plug until it touches the bullet.

Posted: 5/8/2021 12:35:31 PM EDT

[#5]

Any roll crimp seating die will work, just back off the seater plug or remove it entirely. I prefer to use Dillon seating dies when loading lead revolver rounds, they have a clip you can pull to clean out accumulated lube without changing your settings.

I use a roll crimp on my revolver rounds.

Posted: 5/8/2021 12:50:01 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Lots of guys like the Lee factory crimp. I use the Dillon’s on my Dillon

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Does that use a roll crimp? I used to use one on my 223 rounds but didn't have a need so I shelved it.

Posted: 5/8/2021 1:37:42 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
I seat with a Hornady die, and crimp with an old LEE seater/crimp die. It makes a nice roll crimp. I have it adjusted to crimp only, and not seat.

any decent roll crimp die will work fine.

.

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Same here, FCD is a winner.

Posted: 5/8/2021 2:27:31 PM EDT

[#8]

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Quoted:

Does that use a roll crimp? I used to use one on my 223 rounds but didn't have a need so I shelved it.

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One of you FCD guys know the answer? I don’t.

Posted: 5/8/2021 2:41:10 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:

One of you FCD guys know the answer? I don't.

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Quoted:

Quoted:

Does that use a roll crimp? I used to use one on my 223 rounds but didn't have a need so I shelved it.

One of you FCD guys know the answer? I don't.

Lee FCD's work completely differently from rifle to pistol.

Posted: 5/8/2021 2:56:25 PM EDT

[#10]

If you are going to roll crimp 38 Special on a progressive press like a RL550 sort all the brass for length or trim all to the same length.. something I learned the hard way decades ago.

Posted: 5/8/2021 3:44:28 PM EDT

[#11]

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Quoted:

One of you FCD guys know the answer? I don't.

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FCD can be taper crimp or roll crimp depending on the caliber.

223, taper crimp.

38/357 roll crimp.

And you can also get taper crimp dies for revolver rounds, but not Lee brand.

Posted: 5/8/2021 5:42:53 PM EDT

[#12]

I just seat and crimp with the same pull of the handle with RCBS dies. No need to crimp in a separate step unless you want a heavier than normal crimp, which is not necessary for 38 Sp

Posted: 5/8/2021 6:24:47 PM EDT

[#13]

I like my Lee FCD.

Posted: 5/8/2021 6:29:32 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Any roll crimp seating die will work, just back off the seater plug or remove it entirely. I prefer to use Dillon seating dies when loading lead revolver rounds, they have a clip you can pull to clean out accumulated lube without changing your settings.

I use a roll crimp on my revolver rounds.

View Quote

Absolutely love that feature on the Dillon dies. In the day I shot a lot of Carroll or Northeast wax lubed cast bullets. You would eventually get a plyg of wax in the dies from bits in the box of bullets that were displaced.

Pull the clip pin, wipe or brush and reinstall.

Posted: 5/8/2021 6:34:54 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Same here, FCD is a winner.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I seat with a Hornady die, and crimp with an old LEE seater/crimp die. It makes a nice roll crimp. I have it adjusted to crimp only, and not seat.

any decent roll crimp die will work fine.

.

Same here, FCD is a winner.

I'm not using the FCD.

just a regular vanilla flavored ancient LEE seater / crimp die.

I seat with hornady, and that old LEE puts a nice roll crimp on.

I avoid the FCD because I heard it can undersize lead bullets.

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