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How to properly crimp heeled bullets?
- Thread starter Slowbalt
- Start date
This is one subject that I found a bit challenging when I first started reloading for antiques.
Like Whelen above ^ I ordered a couple of Bernies modified crimp dies when I ordered a mold from him. His tool works very well for the caliber it is made for. Since then I have purchased all of the Lee Factory Crimp Dies that I can get my hands on and have used them in conjunction with Bernies modified shell holder to crimp other heeled antique calibers. It is important to note that the Lee Factory Crimp Dies are different from the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Dies and the Taper Crimp Dies. For heeled bullets you need the Lee Factory Crimp Die type in an appropriate diameter.
For example I use a Lee Factory Crimp Die in 38-55 Caliber to crimp 9.4 Dutch East Indies and it works very well. You just need a spacer to get the cartridge in the appropriate place when the stroke crimps it since the 38 caliber 38-55 is the right diameter for the 9.4 Dutch.
As I recall you were reloading for 380 Revolver / Bulldog. For that caliber I have been using a 35 Remington Lee Factory Crimp Die and a modified 38 Special case as a spacer. It looks like I modified the 35 Remington die however. I used a dremel to grind the crimp area at the top to make it just a narrow band. Might just be easier to order one from Bernie. I'm sure he has something for 380 Revolver. Only catch is that there is a fair bit of variance in that caliber.
Like Whelen above ^ I ordered a couple of Bernies modified crimp dies when I ordered a mold from him. His tool works very well for the caliber it is made for. Since then I have purchased all of the Lee Factory Crimp Dies that I can get my hands on and have used them in conjunction with Bernies modified shell holder to crimp other heeled antique calibers. It is important to note that the Lee Factory Crimp Dies are different from the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Dies and the Taper Crimp Dies. For heeled bullets you need the Lee Factory Crimp Die type in an appropriate diameter.
For example I use a Lee Factory Crimp Die in 38-55 Caliber to crimp 9.4 Dutch East Indies and it works very well. You just need a spacer to get the cartridge in the appropriate place when the stroke crimps it since the 38 caliber 38-55 is the right diameter for the 9.4 Dutch.
As I recall you were reloading for 380 Revolver / Bulldog. For that caliber I have been using a 35 Remington Lee Factory Crimp Die and a modified 38 Special case as a spacer. It looks like I modified the 35 Remington die however. I used a dremel to grind the crimp area at the top to make it just a narrow band. Might just be easier to order one from Bernie. I'm sure he has something for 380 Revolver. Only catch is that there is a fair bit of variance in that caliber.
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