38 special reloads

[fatcpa]

I cranked out 500 rounds of 38 special on my Square Deal B last weekend loading with 158 grain LSWC's. After I finished I checked the rounds for any defects and found that I was able to twist the bullets on a number of the rounds. I put a pretty tight crimp into the crimping groove of the bullets, so the bullets wouldn't pull out, just would turn. I was using mixed brass that I had previously tumbled. After going through the whole lot of 500, I found that the only ones with this problem were R-P cases. I assume this is Remington brass. Has anyone run into this problem?

 

[ReloaderFred]

It's caused by several things. The Remington brass is a little thinner, but it could also be caused by either a sizing die that doesn't size the brass down enough, or an expander that expands it too much. It can also be caused by excessive crimp, which pushes down on the case walls and actually bulges them out a little bit. If the cases are slightly longer than your other cases, this can occur.

What you're trying for is good neck tension between the case and bullet.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[beatledog7]

R-P are rather thin walled, so when you size them (i.e., you restore their outer diameter), you wind up with a slightly larger inner diameter than many other makes.

Many of us sort out the R-P and use them only for lead bullets, which are typically .001-.002 larger in diameter than jacketed bullets. Another option would be to bell R-Ps less or have your favorite die maker turn you a sizing die that's about .002 undersize.

I had a similar issue with .44SPL R-P cases and swaged lead bullets; they shot just fine.

 

[gamestalker]

The 38 spcl is one of the rounds I commonly load for. My suspicion would be over belling of the mouth and, or, over crimping.

I hear a bunch of expander plugs getting blamed for lacking neck tension, and I just can't imagine die manufacturer's making that many mistakes in specification. In all the years of reloading I have never run across a bad die expander plug, or any other die defect to date.

GS

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, it might be over-crimping. Because brass can spring back somewhat if you apply a too heavy crimp you will indent the lead bullet and the brass can spring back slightly leaving a space between the case and the bullet.

 

[4895]

When I set up my Dillon Square Deal crimp die, using my finger, I push the crimp die up (from the bottom) until it contacts the internal stop. Then I lower the 3/4" head die until I feel it contact the die. Then I adjust the crimp from there in 1/8 turn increments until firm.

 

[fatcpa]

I guess it could be the crimp, but why only with the R-P brass? I have reloaded several thousand rounds with the same setup. I mostly use Starline brass that I have purchased new. The R-P brass comes from factory ammo that I have purchased. I only bell the cases a small amount. Usually just enough to keep from shaving lead from the bullet when it is seated. It is only with the R-P brass that I have had the problem.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Had that problem with several manufacturers of .38 special brass. Solved that with a Lee FCD die.

 

[JimPGov]

Or undersized bullet?

 

[USSR]

I guess it could be the crimp, but why only with the R-P brass?

As previously mentioned, the R-P brass is thin walled. If you cast and size your own bullets, you can deal with it by not sizing your bullets so much. With commercially made bullets, it can be a problem.

Don

 

[zxcvbob]

I *like* thin RP brass because it works better with my oversized cast bullets -- especially deep-seated wadcutters.

 

[918v]

Yup. Too much bell, too much crimp.

 

[murf]

measure the case wall thickness of your various rounds. 38 spl brass is thin to begin with. and the sizing and belling dies don't work the case very much. a case wall less than .010" is probably not going to grip the bullet much, if at all.

murf