38 Special Trouble

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

YOU DO NOT NEED A FACTORY CRIMP DIE!!!

Adjusting the die you're currently using will get you what you're looking for. Yes, it's a light load, so I would bump up half a grain.

I've been loading 38spl with Unique with Lyman and Sierra dies for years. Never a squib. I don't knock the Lee Factory Crimp Dies, but you don't have to change dies to get things to work. Properly adjusting the seat/crimp die you have now will do the trick.

-Steve

 

[joneb]

I bought some Trail Boss to try in these.

IMR does not endorse loading plated or jacketed bullets with Trail Boss. I guess it could cause squibbs, or a high pressure problem

 

[swoter]

Think I found the problem. I moved my reloading stuff from the garage to the basement due to the cold weather, and when I set the scale, I did not zero it. It was actually reading right about 1 grain heavier than the actual weight. My loads had only about 3 grains unique instead of 4. Oversight on my part. I tightened the crimp up a little, and these last few came out very well. Thanks to all for the ideas and suggestions. I zero the scale now at least 2x during a session, just to make sure its not walking on me. Lesson learned, at least it was reading heavy instead of light.

 

[Powderman]

I did notice that a couple of the bullets would spin in the case.

This is also a bad sign; it shows that your case/neck tension is practically non-existent.

You might also be using a "universal decapper", which will decap the case without resizing. This is a potentially bad move; if you have one of these, ensure that you run your cases through an actual sizer die before reloading.

Check the expander ball, and make sure that you have the right one for the caliber you are reloading. Also, make sure that you are belling the case mouth just barely enough to sit the base of the bullet into.

Finally, use a good firm roll crimp for your revolver cartridges. There should be a cannelure to roll the case mouth into; in the case of full wadcutters in the .38 special, you can eith crimp into the groove provided; or with the swaged wadcutters seat the bullet about 1/32 below the mouth of the case and use a gentle roll crimp to close the case mouth over the lip of the loaded round.

Unique is a good powder; however, for reduced loads, I would recommend a powder like Clays, HP38, W231 or Bullseye.

 

[Stanley Greenman]

greenman

Try using Hogdons Titegroup. It is clean burning and very reliable. Try it, you'll like it.

 

[skipjack]

KHawk wrote:

"bullseye is a good powder for working up light loads"

This mirrors my experience with light loads in 38 special. Of the alliant powders, bullseye is my go to powder for 38 specials. It doesn't do too bad for 357 magnum or 45 acp, either.