.357 Troubles

[Lennyjoe]

I had some nickel brass that did the same thing. Tossed it in the recycle bin and moved on.

 

[SQLGeek]

Is that brass trashed now?

No. Just size it back down and you'll be fine.

 

[buck460XVR]

Sizing die is screwed in to meet the the shell holder then down 1/4-1/3 more.

....are you using carbide dies?

 

[Walkalong]

Is that brass trashed now?

No. Just size it back down and you'll be fine.

Yep.

 

[murf]

you can also run that brass through a 9mm sizing die and size down as far as the bullet is to be seated. another "fix" is to polish your expander die down to about .354" to get more neck tension.

luck,

murf

 

[KINGLIZRD]

....are you using carbide dies?

Yes ots a 38 carbide die set that works for 357 as well

 

[buck460XVR]

Yes ots a 38 carbide die set that works for 357 as well

....you don't really want "cam-over" with carbide dies. Generally you adjust the carbide sizing die till it just touches the shellholder, sometimes you even back it off a little to keep from damaging the die. You are adjusting your sizing die per Lee's Steel die instructions. Caming over a carbide sizing die can cause the carbide ring to shatter and thus wrecking the die.

Here's a link to the proper setup. https://leeprecision.com/files/instruct/Pistol3.pdf

 

[Walkalong]

A lot of new carbide dies have the ring up a hair from the bottom anymore, giving it some protection, but that is still good advise.

 

[KINGLIZRD]

....you don't really want "cam-over" with carbide dies. Generally you adjust the carbide sizing die till it just touches the shellholder, sometimes you even back it off a little to keep from damaging the die. You are adjusting your sizing die per Lee's Steel die instructions. Caming over a carbide sizing die can cause the carbide ring to shatter and thus wrecking the die.

Here's a link to the proper setup. https://leeprecision.com/files/instruct/Pistol3.pdf

Thats great lol. So the instructions they gave me are generic and not specific to the dies i bought?

Lee is sending me out a replacement sizing die for this one. Thanks for the input. I will not set up the next one for overcam.

 

[AJC1]

I believe my issue was that I did not use the expander/load threw die correctly and over expanded the first sets of bass. Is that brass trashed now?

Additionally I don't have this issue with all of.my 38 brass just the RP brass has week neck tension.

Do you know any other reloaders in your area. You may be best served having another reloader check your process in person. If your near Memphis I'm willing to help

 

[Walkalong]

Thats great lol. So the instructions they gave me are generic and not specific to the dies i bought?

Pretty much, and with a straight walled caliber like .38 or .357 you could stop 1/4" short of sizing the whole case and be ok. I don't stop that much short, but I do stop shorter than the die will reach.

 

[KINGLIZRD]

Do you know any other reloaders in your area. You may be best served having another reloader check your process in person. If your near Memphis I'm willing to help

I wish. Thanks for the offer im from New Jersey.

 

[murf]

let us know if the new die cures your ills.

murf

 

[mikey98e]

My dad had a favorite saying in the sawmill industry when a problem arose with the equipment-
“It’s not the machinery, it’s the ignorance around it!”
And still true today!

OR

It ain't the machine on the bum, it's the bum on the machine.

-mike

 

[KINGLIZRD]

let us know if the new die cures your ills.

murf

Yes the 357 rcbs sizing die has solved the problem with both 357 and rp 38 brass. Was able to load 50 of each with no issues whatsoever and was even able to see bottoms of the bullets buldging through the brass

 

[Walkalong]

Excellent!

A change to RCBS dies has fixed a couple of issues for me over the years, one of those being .380. Ironically though, my RCBS .38/.357 Mag sizer is a bit too loose to suit me for some of the thinner brass. It works, you can't easily move the bullets, but I would prefer more neck tension that it gives with the thinner stuff.

 

[Demi-human]

Yes the 357 rcbs sizing die has solved the problem with both 357 and rp 38 brass. Was able to load 50 of each with no issues whatsoever and was even able to see bottoms of the bullets buldging through the brass

Nice! Those will not setback, and will resist bullet pull better in a revolver.
Glad a it was simple, sorry it cost money!