Crimp for 180 gr. on 357 max.

[jakester]

Sorry, if this has been covered before but I just started loading for my max.
I'm using 18 grs. of H110 with a 180 gr. XTP.
Is everyone seating their bullet to the first crimp groove (1st. one from base of bullet) or the other one?
Will this cause compressed load and excessive pressure?
Figured I'd ask the experts, thanks for the replies.

[gendoc]

i ain't never crimped no straight wall case fora one-hole handi, muchless a bottle neck even on the first groove.
 others here might not agree

[randy_68]

I tried both ways and my gun shot tighter groups without a crimp. And I'm shooting max loads--28 gr AA1680 with 180 XTP's. Basically it will shoot one hole groups out to 70 yards, but opened up a bit at 100. With crimped loads I could only get 1-1/2" at 100, some bigger.

[revbc]

As far as crimp goes, I have not crimped.  Do check the OAL/COL (overall length) of your load.  You need to have an idea how deep the throat is so that your not loading jammed into the rifling.  Handi throats are usually real deep, but you never know until you check.  I use a sized brass split with a dremel blade, barely seat the bullet, chamber it carefully, lock it up, carefully remove it and measure the length.  Shorten it .020-.030 when you seat the  bullet.  I AM NOT AN EXPERT, but this works for me.  Or just seat it to the specs. of the OAL for that bullet and load.

[mechanic]

I do not crimp jacketed bullets, but I do cast ones.  I have to bell the case mouth with cast of course.  I load to .010 off the lands in my Handi. 

[jbwell]

I shoot a T/C not a Handi in 357 Max. Have 3 barrels, 10", 14", and 24".
All three shoot better with a good crimp when using 296, 4227, & 1680.

[petemi]

I'm a novice at reloading, but I have had very good results not crimping any of my straight walled cases.  All I do is seat the bullet to the book overall length.  I don't know enough yet to experiment with anything.

Pete