Recent content by 2rott

I load for 38spl. for a cowboy load....122g cast bullet & 2.6g Clays. A very soft & very very clean load. I have used this load in other 38 guns where there is no power factor. It does seem to leave some unburned powder I've noticed.

I don't cast my own, but before the current shortage of supplies, It cost me between 10 & 11 cents a round of 38spl. The brass was free for the taking at the local range & I saved my own too. I was able to reload (I only load lead bullets) whatever I needed, very mild loads for cowboy shooting...

Thanks for all the responses. What brand 3 die sets do you use for seating & taper crimping? Midway carries 2 single dies from RCBS. They both seat the 9mm & taper crimp, but one is $21 & the other is $33. Does any one know the difference?

I was wondering if anyone uses a 3 die set for straight wall taper crimp rounds, like the 9mm or 45acp, etc? I tried it for the first time last night on 45 acp with a RCBS 3 die set. I fired them this AM with no problems & satisfactory accuracy. I load on an old turret press & anything that...

Thanks guys. I'm going to order the Lyman M die for the 45acp. Do you also think it necessary for revolver cartridges like 38spl & 45colt?

Thanks for all the help. I've tried seating & crimping in separate operations & that worked much better. I just ordered the Lee FCD from Midway.

I'll try you're advice & flare more. Maybe the only solution is separate dies. I just tried again & had the same problem, but this time the OAL came out longer.

I've been having problems since I started reloading recently with hand me down reloading equipment. The equipment seems fine but when I tried to load 45ACP I ran into problems crimping & seating. I have an RCBS 3-Die TC set for .45 auto & am trying to load 160 G lead SWC/FP bullets. I finally...

I've been using only Winchester cases.Being new to reloading I'm not sure, but, I think I have a very tight chamber & that's why the .464 crimp functioned well.

Just returned from the range. I reloaded four different groups of 7-8 bullet in the extreme specs. of my original post. They all were tested first by dropping easily into the chamber end of the barrel before test firing. All 160 G bullets with 14# spring. OAL 1.168-9, crimp .464. 4.2 G Clays...

Very helpful. I loaded some rounds down to 1.135-1.140 OAL & they chambered very cleanly too.

I did the magic marker thing & all the bullets seem to be catching on edge of the SWC neck. Most didn't fall freely into the chamber. I recrimped these bullets down to .464 inch & they fell freely into the chamber and the magic marker test showed no contact. They are loaded with 4.2 G of clays...

Kingmt. I'm not upto posting pictures. I've tried both more & less crimp with the same results. The Lee FCD does sound good. Thanks.

Thanks guys. Just returned from a Steel Match. Loads of fun. I have backed off my crimp to .471 & I have the same problem.

My Lyman book reads an AOL of 1.135 for 185 g jacketed swc. How does that translate to lead bullets?.That's about what I need for my bullet to drop in flush with the barrel hood. My 160 g lead bullet measures .505 inch top to bottom.