.357 magnum: what am I doing wrong?

[Roadkill]

I had the same problem with .357 & .38 using both Reddot and Unique. Ignition was the problem. Not enough pressure bulit up fast enough to move the bullet out. I have been cutting small styrofoam squares and setting them on the powder in the case, just large enough to keep the powder at the ignition end. Have not had a problem since and the little white "poof" looks kinda cool too.

 

[Walkalong]

Hey Roadkill
Have you ever tried poly fillers like Winchester Super Grex ( no longer made but substitutes are available. )

 

[carterbeauford]

Carter,
You where using 6.7 to 7 grains weight of powder NOT 6.7 to 7 actual flakes of powder where you? Using just a few flakes of powder would explain the slight "pop", low power or lack of ignition.

If you did confuse the term grain weight with the use of grain as a small piece or particle of powder go ahead and admit to it. We will all have a good laugh with you.

Haha, no man, I use either a Lee safety scale for small charges. I will admit I am new to this, having better luck loading 30/30 though.

I appreciate all the advice, I think the problem lies in the crimp. If I understand it right, the primer is pushing the lighter bullets out of the case before the powder has a chance to burn. Since the heavier bullets are seated deeper in the case, some of the powder burns, but not all of it. The powder is good because I put 18 grains in a 30/30 load and it went boom.

I am going to lay off this load for a while as my revolver is headed back to Taurus for unrelated problems. The die is indeed the correct one, a Lee carbide .38/.357 die.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Then it has a roll crimp built into it. Just needs set up correctly or like Powderman said some fool at the factory screwed up.

 

[Walkalong]

Whoa There!

Be EXTREMELY carefull putting fast pistol powders in the 30/30. (any rifle cartridge) You could have a detonation. It will be VERY position sensitive also. Fire it one way.. OK Fire it another... BOOM. I blew the H***out of a primer pocket in a .22 hornet like that. OK one way. Definitely not the other. Be careful!

Just don't do it.

 

[Powderman]

I had the same problem with .357 & .38 using both Reddot and Unique. Ignition was the problem. Not enough pressure bulit up fast enough to move the bullet out. I have been cutting small styrofoam squares and setting them on the powder in the case, just large enough to keep the powder at the ignition end. Have not had a problem since and the little white "poof" looks kinda cool too.

Oooh, bad move. REALLY bad move!

Do NOT use ANY types of filler in a pistol case. That, in conjunction with using powders like Red Dot and Unique are asking for a blown case, or worse!

Check your bullet neck tension. Your handgun cases should have that distinct hourglass shape when reloaded--unless you have a full length cartridge sizer like the big ammo manufacturers do. Check the expander ball, and make sure it is of the proper diameter.

For revolver cartridges, a good roll crimp is essential for proper function and accuracy. For semiautomatic cartridges, a taper crimp is needed.

I read lots and lots of posts here about reloaders who do NOT crimp their loaded rounds. This is a HUGE reloading mistake, but some people just do not listen.

If you are having trouble applying a proper crimp, get an experienced reloader to watch you set up your dies. They should be able to give you some pointers on how to do it for best results.

 

[db_tanker]

I would suggest getting a diffrent powder...like SR-4756 or maybe Bullseye....you can use those for light cast bullet loads in a 30 WCF and still load up some good loads for a 357 mag handgun...

D