.44 special

Just got a .44 Special revolver, I want to reload at some point,  Roll or taper crimp? how much?  any insight would be appreciated.  TYIA

If I only had to pick one, I’d go with a roll crimp, if fo. O other reasons rollmcrimp works better with cannelure jacketed buckets in revolvers.

Roll is the way to go. Most revolver bullets have a crimping groove. Use it!

Roll crimp +1 unless you are using wadcutters. Recently I bought a RCBS roll crimp die because the lee factory crimp does not roll crimp nice. 

I recently loaded a few 38 specials with 158 swc and out of my M19 they shot better than WCs at 25 yards i got a clover leaf group off hand. I thought the best ones were a light to medium roll crimp where the outside edge of the case was just even with the bullet as the case was rolled into the lube grove. 

If you are down loading 44 Magnum cases I would think you need a pretty heavy roll crimp to get a proper powder burn.

You will need to experiment with different rolls to see which is optimal.  In long cases like a 44 too much the bullets will not group tight and too little you won't get a clean burn and the bullets will yaw.

I would advocate for testing both options for your specific use case. Do you want super light/ light recoiling target loads, perhaps a hunting load, or even a cowboy load. What projectiles would you like to shoot, powder options, ect also may change the answer.

Let's see the bullet!

I think I have this right ...

If it doesn't have a crimp groove or a groove in the right spot, taper works (straighten for jacketed, bit more coated, bit more bare lead)

If the bullet has a crimp groove or cannelure, roll crimp

If just a bump like the Zero SWCHP 158gr's forward band I like the Redding profile crimp, or use roll crimp