RPegram
Member
I purchased a Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum a few months ago and reload for it along with a couple of .38 Spc (S&W and Rossi) and a 9MM Ruger SR9. I am running into an issue with the .357 rounds dropping into the cylinder. Some fit tight and after shooting, actually come out easier. These same rounds that are tight in the GP100, will drop right into either of the .38's with no problem. They don't go all the way down, but will fall down to the point the .38 round would sit. I would say 90% of the .357 reloads will drop into the GP100 without effort, 8% to 9% will go in the cylinder with a push and 1 or 2 out of a hundred will just not go. I use 158 gr LSWC from MBC. I also use mixed head stamp once fired brass. The rounds which fit tight in the GP100 will have resistance to going in when the brass starts entering the cylinder and then all the way. I have cleaned the cylinder very well so there is no carbon ring from shooting .38 rounds in the .357. The cylinder is mirror clean all the way down to where it reduces in size. I have taken the gun to a local gun smith and he told me the Ruger has tighter tolerances than either of the .38's, so he believes the issue lies in my rounds I loaded. The issue is not related to just nickel plated or a particular head stamp. I seat and crimp in two different steps with the same die. I use Lee dies and it is the carbide 3 die set. I start off with a very slight crimp, just enough to basically straighten the brass out and remove all the flare. The rounds that won't go all the way into the cylinder, I can crimp again and squeeze a little more, and then they will go into the cylinder with some effort. Strangely enough, they will eject easier than when put in. I resize, deprime and prime with the first die, all in one step, then flare and drop powder on the second step, all done with a Lee single stage press. I am using .357 dies. I originally thought it could be related to using .38 dies, so I purchased the .357 with same results. After shooting 200 rounds, there is little to no leading in the barrel.
Is it possible that some of the brass is just so much thicker that when used for cast lead it causes this issue? Has anyone else run into this and if you did, what did you do to take care of it?
Is it possible that some of the brass is just so much thicker that when used for cast lead it causes this issue? Has anyone else run into this and if you did, what did you do to take care of it?