Reloading for a Marlin 1894 Lever action 38/357 Rifle

[gm42]

Hey Guys,

I have a Marlin 1894 Lever action 38/357 Rifle I am reloading for. How heavy of a crimp should I put on the case using a Lee crimp die, light, medium or heavy.

Thanks for your help.

Geoff

[J Miller]

Hey Guys,

I have a Marlin 1894 Lever action 38/357 Rifle I am reloading for. How heavy of a crimp should I put on the case using a Lee crimp die, light, medium or heavy.

Thanks for your help.

Geoff

Geoff,

It depends on the bullet design, weight, and the powder you are using.
Using the Lee FCD I usually use a medium crimp on light to moderate loads with a heavy crimp on the full tilt heavy loads.

Joe

[gundownunder]

I crimp most things reasonably heavy because a number of the good 357 powders seem to need it for a clean burn, and also, that way I know the bullet won't move in the case regardless how rough things get.
YMMV

[AJMD429]

Here's a thread on the topic of crimping the .44 Mag for the 1894, and I think many of the concepts are similar...

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=21325

[COSteve]

It also depends upon the bullet type you're using. If a FMJ design then you can heavy crimp with ease because the heavy jacket thickness gives the case lip something to bear down on. However, if you are using a plated bullet type, i.e. Rainier, Berry's, Speer Gold Dot, then a medium crimp is as far as you should go. The reason is that with the plated bullets, heavy pressure will deform the soft lead core and while the brass has 'spring back' lead does not. So, you'll end up with a bullet that's loose in the case.

[junkwrencher]

Same topic, different tool, how about with a Lee Loader, I've not collapsed any bullets, jacketed or not, trying to crimp in the canalure. Am I just lucky or is this tool designed not to crimp too heavy?