I am new to reloading handgun ammo. I have never tried to crimp a bullet and am really not sure how. The bullets I have loaded have to be smacked pretty hard to move in the bullet puller. Do I need to crimp these bullets. They have a cannelure but I am not seating at this position.

IMO yes..... all heavy recoiling revolvers need the ammo crimped....the recoil will pull the bullets and lock up the cylinder when they pull out so far that they protrude beyond the end of the cylinder.

Thanks, would you recommend the lee crimp die? I have read a lot about it, mostly good.

quote:

Originally posted by gooseman2:
Thanks, would you recommend the lee crimp die? I have read a lot about it, mostly good.

I have no experience with it.....I've always used RCBS dies and crimped with the standard seating dies into the cannelure...it has worked well for me.

Yes , You should crimp IMO

I would recomend the Lee crimp die

I use 1 for all my revolver rounds

Johnch

I ordered a lee crimp die but was wondering if I have to seat the bullet on the cannelure. I am using Hornady 180 XTP, also ordered some 158XTP. I seated the bullets so their just inside the cylinder so I could squeeze in more lil gun after some initial trials, but have not started testing loads yet. Ruger Gp100 4in. I am already looking ahead for maximum energy when I should be looking for accuracy first. I originally bought this gun for a pack pistol while bowhunting but I like it so much I really want to shoot a Wisconsin whitetail with it. Thanks for all the help

quote:

Originally posted by gooseman2:
I am new to reloading handgun ammo. ... I seated the bullets so their just inside the cylinder so I could squeeze in more lil gun ...

Hey Gooseman2, How are you checking for Pressure?

I believe I'd seat them to the can and use the die you have to roll crimp them. On my RCBS Carbide 357 dies I set the seasting die to seat and crimp in the can all in one step.

I think if you are seating your 357 bullets out further to allow for more Lil' gun, you are playing with fire.

Good Luck

Reloader

quote:

Originally posted by Reloader:
I think if you are seating your 357 bullets out further to allow for more Lil' gun, you are playing with fire.
Good Luck
Reloader

He's right, you are playing with fire. If you crimp with no other changes in your load (assuming that you do have a case full of Lil' gun) you will be up the creek w/o a paddle. A crimp does more than hold the bullet in place, it allows a slight delay in bullet movement ensuring uniform ignition. To add a crimp as an afterthought is never a good idea.

If I were in your shoes, I'd look to w-w296, H-110, or AA#9 for maximum power loads. I like and use 158 grain XTP/HP bullets and drive them to an honest 1370f/s from a 6" S&W 686 with W-W 296. That's about all of the power one can get from the 357!

Thanks for the imformation. I have plenty of room right now to push back to the can and crimp there. I seen the low pressure in my Hogdon manual and figured if I didnt see any pressure signs I could seat out farther for more powder and accuracy like a rifle. I was hoping to get the energy up to at least 800 ft. lbs wich requires 1450 fps with a 180 or 1550 with a 158. I have read on this forum about the bogus pressure numbers from Hogdon, but how can they do that? According to their numbers I should be able to obtain these velocities with lil gun even in my 4in. Working up from the lower charges first of course. Do handgun cases show pressure signs similar to rifle cases? Like I said I have only loaded for my rifles, handguns is a new hobby. If I am expecting way to much of this .357 let me know and I might have to think about a .44 with a 7.5 for hunting deer. I know this is a better choice but I was tryng for double use from my .357 pack pistol. I would only shoot a deer 50 yds or less. Thanks again for your replies and warnings.

gooseman2,
A 158 grain XTP at 1370f/s will knock the stuffin' out of any whitetail at 50 yards if properly placed. If it is penetration you seek, look no further than a hard cast Keith type semi-wadcutter. Those babies will penetrate like crazy and cut a nice round hole to boot. I like 2400, 3N37 and AA#9 for driving lead bullets fast, with the nod going to 3N37.
Having said that, if you're hunting in bear/hog country leave the 357 at home and get a 44.

quote:

Originally posted by gooseman2:
... Do handgun cases show pressure signs similar to rifle cases?

Hey Gooseman, Yes, but by the time you reach those same Pressure Indicators in some Revolvers you may have created what could colloquially be refered to (on this Board) as a "Clark Test Condition(aka Blown-Up Firearm). The reason I asked, "How are you checking for Pressure?", is that what you are doing can be SAFE or very UN-SAFE, depending on how you are determining Pressure.

Since you did not answer the question, it is probably best for you to simply stick with Loads shown in the various Reloading Manuals.

quote:

Like I said I have only loaded for my rifles, handguns is a new hobby.

Nothing wrong with that - except - there is only one SAFE way to determine when the Pressure has reached the MAX SAFE level in a Revolver or Pistol. They are not nearly as forgiving as a rifle when it comes to over-pressure.

quote:

If I am expecting way to much of this .357 let me know and I might have to think about a .44 with a 7.5 for hunting deer. I know this is a better choice but I was tryng for double use from my .357 pack pistol. I would only shoot a deer 50 yds or less. ...

Nothing at all wrong with the 357Mag at those distances, but the 44Mag is much better. In either Cartridge, I prefer a Gas Checked Hard Cast Lead bullet with a w-i-d-e Flat Nose first, anyones SPs second and then HPs.

Best of luck to you.

gooseman2
I have used a great amount of Lil'Gun with the 180 XTP HP and in pistols and rifles. Even in rifles (singleshot) I crimp the XTP's. Lil'Gun is one of the best powders when looking for max velocities with some of the lowest pressures when compared to other powder/bullet combinations.
Lil'Gun in all 4 of the guns I shoot it in as a 357 Mag seems to give a little bit more consistent velocities when crimped, I use the Lee Factory Crimp Die. Lil'Gun also works the best for me in my 357 Max and 357 B&D. In the rounds that I seat the bullet out to get closer to the riflings if I want to crimp I turn a cannulure(spelling?) with my C&H Cannulure Tool. Hope this helps.

Steve E.......

There's nothing wrong with seating a bullet out further than the cannelure as long as you don't hang up the cylinder. In fact it can enhance accuracy and reduce pressure. There's nothing wrong with using a Lee factory crimp die...although one bullet manufacturer advises against it on their non-cannelure bullets. I suppose their bullets have a secret formula...yeah right. Of course if you choose to exceed any max load to compensate for increased case capacity you become a test platform for the rest of us.

Thanks guys, time to do less typing and go do some shooting. I really appreciate the imfo.