Looking for info on using copper plated 148 gr HBWC in .357 cases.

[McHoss]

Gun: Ruger GP100 4.25" bbl
Load: CamPro 148gr copper plated HBWC, Unique or Bullseye, .357 brass (to avoid crud ring), Winchester small pistol primers.
I've read all the cautions regarding velocities for the HBWC. I plan on using a low charge of Unique to start and will be around 650 FPS. My question is regarding bullet seating. Without a cannelure what is the best way to seat these and what depth? I've read flush with the case mouth but I can't help wonder how they don't creep back with recoil. Realizing of course the recoil will be slight, with more or less a .38 load, but it will still be there. Should I seat slightly above flush and crimp into the plating? How much bullet should i expose? For what it's worth, I'm loading with Lee dies including factory crimp die.

Thoughts?

 

['Boo]

Recoil won't make them creep back but rather they may want to work forward out of the case. If they do work their way out and bind the cylinder you can seat them flush and apply a very slight roll crimp over the top edge of the bullet. This may affect accuracy a bit however.

 

[Rugerman]

I have loaded these bullets at a number of different lengths using a starting load of Bullseye. Regardless of the length i have used, there has been no bullet movement due to recoil. It shouldn't be a issue if you are using low loads based on my experience. Just check some of the rounds as you test them for a LOA change to be sure.

 

[bigedp51]

I do not use CamPro bullets but I do use plated pullets in .44 Magnum, .44 Special, .357 Magnum, .38 special and 9mm. I use light loads Tight group and 231 with a taper crimp and have no problem with bullet movement.

And since these are HBWC I would assume you will not be loading them to magnum velocities with magnum recoil. And a light load with a slight taper crimp on the bullet or at the case mouth should keep the bullet from moving. And full power 10mm and .357 Sig only have a taper crimp and they do not move.

If you can see where the base of the bullet stops inside the case you will have plenty of bullet grip and a taper crimp is good enough.

And even with 9mm+p loads the bullet will not move under recoil if the case has good bullet grip. Check the expander diameter and make sure it is not over expanding the case for a better grip on the bullet. A taper crimp is more for streamlining the case mouth for smooth feeding and not added grip on the bullet.

CamPro Bullets - .38/.357 148gr FCP HBWC CP-38HWBC - Case Of 1000
https://www.bullseyenorth.com/shop/campro-bullets-38-357-148gr-fcp-hbwc-cp38hwbc-case-of-1000-1159

PRODUCT INFORMATION

CamPro projectiles have an excellent reputation among shooters from all across Canada. Their bullets have been in production since 1995 and are used by shooters for whom precision matters, including law enforcement and competitive shooters. If you value consistency, reliability and uniformity, then CamPro projectiles are made for you.

At the core of each projectile is 2% antimony and 98% lead. The antimony gives the projectile more ductility and allows the bullet to adjust its form to the gun barrel. Each projectile is swaged, leading to greater weight uniformity from bullet to bullet while slightly increasing the bullet density.

CamPro uses a slightly thicker copper layer to plate their bullets. This ensures that the copper coating will not be perforated or weakened during the crimping process, allowing the bullet to retain its strength and avoid splitting during firing. In addition to all this, the copper plating allows for the safe use of magnum loads and eliminates lead fouling in the bore and lead pollution in the air.

As a last step in the manufacturing process, each bullet is reformed so as to achieve consistency across the board. Many manufacturers size by forcing the bullets into a hole so that they do not exceed the maximum diameter, but CamPro bullets are reformed by pressing so that each projectile is not only acceptable, but reaches its optimal dimensions.

The link below has light, medium and heavy loads and the light loads should work well with your CamPro - .38/.357 148gr FCP HBWC bullets.

My Friend, The .357
by Skeeter Skelton

Shooting Times Magazine
June 1988
http://www.darkcanyon.net/MyFriend_The357.htm

 

[B]

I have loaded thousands, 3.2 Bullseye 1.440" (best accuracy and easier to load into the cylinder). They do about 750fps from a 4.2" barrel and are incredibly accurate. Only crimp enough to remove the flaring, no more as it's not necessary even loaded much hotter and will only degrade accuracy.

Campro's HBWC does not have thick plating. It's actually the thinnest I have ever seen on a plated bullet. A small step above the copper wash found on .22lr. Another reason not to crimp unless you are rolling the case mouth over the top of the bullet as you would with typical HBWC loads.

 

[McHoss]

Excellent info. Thank you for answering my questions.
I will load up some test rounds and see how it goes at the range.
Micrometer in hand.