fenwick Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 Need 38 short colt load for uspsa and Big Dawg plates. I have 160 & 135 Bayou and Blue 147 all 38 caliber. Dillon 550 with .38 sizing die, 9mm bell & 9mm seater die. My concern is the crimping. I have a 9mm lee U die and std. 9mm crimp die. shooting 627 pc (357/38) . which crimp die is preferred and how much crimp . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taroman Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 I started loading Short Colt with both 135 and 160s. Purchased a Lee Short Colt die set. That crimp die has no markings. Don't use a heavy crimp, just remove the flair and a bit more. I quickly gave up on Shorts for 2 reasons. Odd expensive brass and got some pressure signs. Quickly readjusted the dies for 38 mid (Special cases trimmed to .900") same as 38 Super. Just works better for me. After more experiments, I cut the cases to .850". Loading 160s over VV N310 to a PF of 115. Start low and work up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 (edited) 38 sht colt 3.0 grs titegroup 160 Bayou 1.150 col .002 crimp Lee fcd 129 pf, very accurate out of my 2 627's Edited November 4, 2016 by jcc7x7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurusty Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 I use the Lee 38 special "U" die with the Lee 38 short Colt due set with the Lee FCD (9mm) with no problems with the 160 Bayous. My crimp is approximate .001. I would think that if your brass isn't expanding and you only use that gun, you shouldn't have any problems. When I shot short colts out of my 9mm cylinder they bulged really bad and I chose not to shoot them in that gun anymore.Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pskys2 Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 (edited) Bayou 160 Coated RN 38 short colt f100 OAL 1.180 Taper Crimp .370 2.7 clays or 3.0 titegroup give 830+f/s & 130+PF. When I tried to drop the OAL below 1.180 found an occasional bulged case from a combo of bullet too deep and the web of case too thick. 25 yd accuracy in my 627 pc 5" is one ragged hole 1.5" or less. Recoil is bunny fart type to me, less than any 9mm semi-auto. Tried Roll Crimp and didn't see any advantage, so I'm using a Taper Crimp at anything from .365 to .371. Don't see any bullet pull and the Taper Crimp seems to feed smoother. Haven't seen any pressure issues, well one 147 plated load that I loaded with way too much powder and had a sticky case issue, but not with any of my other sane loads. Another note if you use the light clays load get the Dillon Small Powder Charge Bar and if you have an option Don't Use the new style powder measure. The anti=double feed arm seems to cause light loads with clays at the 2.7 charge weight. The Titegroup load seems more consistent in the new Dillon powder measure, Titegroup just seems to get the gun hotter quicker. FWIW my gun loves the 160 but the lighter bullet weights, and I did try the 135 Bayou's, added an inch or more to the groups. Edited November 6, 2016 by pskys2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobMac82 Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 I need to get a crimp die. What manufacturer should I get? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcfoto Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 I taper crimp with an RCBS 9mm die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 I have the Lee FCD. I use it for all my loads now. Just set it to straighten bell or at most .001-.002 under the case diameter prior to the crimp stage. I shoot .358 dia. bullets out of my 9mm and 38's they don't smoke or loose any accuracy. Bayou Bullets If you crimp them really hard with the FCD, people have reported lots of smoke from their loads and loss of accuracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobMac82 Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 1 hour ago, jcc7x7 said: I have the Lee FCD. I use it for all my loads now. Just set it to straighten bell or at most .001-.002 under the case diameter prior to the crimp stage. I shoot .358 dia. bullets out of my 9mm and 38's they don't smoke or loose any accuracy. Bayou Bullets If you crimp them really hard with the FCD, people have reported lots of smoke from their loads and loss of accuracy. What exactly do you mean by FCD (factory crimp die) and if so what size would I need for 38 short colt (9mm)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 Yes Lee factory crimp die Yes 9mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobMac82 Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 Thanks and have a good night!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louu Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 Where can I buy a Lee FCD in 38 short colt? I can't find it in stock anywhere. A upc number would be really helpful to please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyd Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 5 hours ago, louu said: Where can I buy a Lee FCD in 38 short colt? I can't find it in stock anywhere. A upc number would be really helpful to please It's easier to buy the die set from Lee than try and find just one die. Also try https://www.titanreloading.com/product-category/lee-precision-reloading-equipment/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ysrracer Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 I load .38 Short Colt on a Dillon 750. Station 1: Dillon old style .357 sizing die Station 2: Mr Bullet Feeder powder funnel Station 3: Mr Bullet Feeder dropper die Station 4: Lee 9mm seating die Station 5: Lee 9mm factory crimp die I crimp until I see a ring on a pulled bullet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louu Posted June 7, 2023 Share Posted June 7, 2023 Thanks guys I'll grab another 9mm die set Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyd Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 3 hours ago, louu said: Thanks guys I'll grab another 9mm die set Or just a 9mm taper crimp die Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcfoto Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 If you go with the blues, taper crimp is preferred but the roll crimp works too. I just crimp until they gauge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louu Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 Don't laugh but I use berry's for everything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ysrracer Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 1 hour ago, louu said: Don't laugh but I use berry's for everything Berry's plated are good bullets, but I couldn't make power factor with them. I switched to Bayou coated bullets. I'm loading a Bayou Bullets 160gr RN, over 3gr of Clays at 1.20 OAL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmo412 Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 Any reason the lee FCD for 38 special won't work with the short colts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louu Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 It's to deep, the crimp part is to high up in the die and won't reach the lip of the brass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyd Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 (edited) The Lee FCD will only work if you get out the hack saw, use good blade's not from China. I have a bunch of modified dies in the cabinet. Edited September 16, 2023 by dannyd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ysrracer Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 1 hour ago, Desmo412 said: Any reason the lee FCD for 38 special won't work with the short colts? Yes, the short colts are too short Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 go with a 9mm taper crimp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ysrracer Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 24 minutes ago, Joe4d said: go with a 9mm taper crimp On my Dillon 750 I run a .38 special sizing die in station #1 Mr Bullet Feeder powder funnel in station #2 Mr Bullet Feeder dropper die in Station 3 Lee 9mm seating die in Station 4 Lee 9mm crimp die in station 5. I use Dillon thin locknuts on the Lee dies. This set up works just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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