[thedave]

I just built up 100 round of 125 gr lead .38 special using a mix of winchester, r-p and IVI brass. I noticed that out of 50 rounds built with the IVI brass almost 30 bulged aroudn the bullet and would not feed into the revolver. I did not have this problem with any of the other brands. Is this brass weaker than the others, should I get rid of it?

With the bulged rounds I was able to run them through the resizer with the decapping pin removed and was able to resize the assembled round to where it would fit into the chamber. Is this a safe thing to do or should I pull the bullets and chuck them next time? I'm still pretty new to this so any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[SDC]

I think the IVI brass is actually just a little thicker than the others (my experience with their .308 Win cases, at least); if it's a hassle, I think your only option is to segregate your brass, and sell or load those cases separately.

[dickwholliday]

The cure for your problem is called a Lee Factory Crimp die....it slightly resizes the loaded round....i'm loading a bunch of 38's for cowboy action as i write this and i'm using assorted brass and with the Lee Factory crimp die i'm assured that every one of them will cycle through anything i run the rounds through....good shoot'n......Dick

PS..with the above die in my 45 ACP loader i don't even cull the Amerc anymore....

[ftierson]

I agree.

Get a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die, and you'll never look back...

[thedave]

I'll look into that, thanks. It just seemed odd that I would have that problem with only that brand of brass. Also I'm a terrible pack rat and would hate to have to get rid of the stuff

[dickwholliday]

The IMI is not the only kind of brass that will mess you up.....i remember once i got a bunch if US military 38 special (Which also has thick walls) and loaded them up with whatever lead bullet i was using at the time.....and none of them would chamber in whatever 38 i had at the time....Like i said earlier, once you get the Lee FCD there is no need to even check the loaded round again.....my case gauges are just gathering dust.....DICK