Federal .380 brass internal step.

[HisSoldier]

I just started loading .380, saw some brass with what looked like a ring inside, almost like you would see when a case has been cannelured to stop a bullet from moving back during cycling. The outsides of these were straight and smooth though, I ignored it.

Then later I noticed some of my loaded rounds had a bulge on the outside;

 

[HisSoldier]

So, I started rethinking this. I sectioned a case;

And it's very clear that there is a step in the bore of these Federal cases. I assume it's there for the same reason that a cannelure is. The trouble is that the RCBS expander opens the case up when it hits that. So I turned the end of the expander down .020" and stoned it when done, this turned down area is only about .030" long. Even with that fix the rounds show some distortion, so I'm going to set those apart and try a Lee FCD on them in a single stage press, they are only about 5% of my cases.
Has anyone else noticed this? I mentioned it in the 1911 forum but thought it is more appropriate here. I will be keeping my Federal brass separate from now on. Thanks.

 

[RidgwayCO]

I've shot 300 rounds of a 1000 round Federal .380 Auto purchase, and had not noticed the internal "step" until you mentioned it.

My cases have the same "step" as yours. I was a little concerned, as I plan on reloading these cases in the future. Luckily, the internal step is about .175" in from the case mouth, so it shouldn't interfere with my 95gr lead or 100gr FMJ-Enc bullets as I normally load them.

For what it's worth, none of my other .380 Auto cases from a wide variety of makers show this internal step.

 

[HisSoldier]

I'm loading 95 grain RN FMJ, the bullet just touches that step at .975" LOA, which is pretty close to the max of .983".
By the way, the Lyman book lists a starting and max charge for AA5 that is way low, the max wouldn't cycle my Star, I haven't chronoed it yet because the rain makes me shoot under fluorescent lights, the chrono doesn't like that. I'm thinking maybe setting two incandescent lamps over the chronograph, but am thinking if they aren't placed just so they may give a bad reading.

Lyman's handbook shows 95 grn FMJ RN start load 3 grn AA5 (says 671 FPS) max 3.9 grn AA5 (940 FPS), but the Speer book says 95 grn TMJ start 4.6 grn AA5 (871 FPS) and max 5.0 grn AA5 (949 FPS). 4.5 grn AA5 just cycles my Star S model. Sorry to hijack my own thread but if anyone else is using AA5 I'd like to hear about their loads. I switched from Unique to AA5 because my powder measure was throwing variable charge weights with Unique. The AA5 is easily within a tenth grain.
If I sound like a tyro it's because I am, my progressive press has been set up for less than 2 months. So much fun!

 

[Claude Clay]

the bulge is real and measurable. the only 380 that doesn't like it is my OMC--so i just cull those by eye when i am loading that gun. seen that bulge in other cases/calibers also.

good investigative reporting HisSoldier

for your indoor crono--try 2, 5 or 7 bulb led flashlights held above the crony by someone who trusts you (sic) or 2 focusable surefires. most crono brands make a custom($$) indoor light bar.
i don't think you can hijack yourself.....though you have given me something to think about at red lights today; thank you

 

[BADUNAME37]

If you are using an RCBS Expander die on these, you can grind or tool the end so it does not come into contact with that inner step.

If you take off little-by-little by somehow holding the expander in a tube or something that lets it spin, you can accomplish this on a regular bench grinder. Just don't grind up too far, as you still need the expanding capabilities to work at belling the case mouths.

When finished grinding just use a bit of bluing on the new metal to make it as good as new.

 

[Beelzy]

You know, this is the Factory's way to make reloading cases a PITA if not impossible.

I wonder what other things they are doing to screw Reloaders??

 

[rcmodel]

Actually, it is Federals way of positively preventing bullet setback causing guns to blow up and them getting sued.

It is a good idea, and there is nothing wrong with it if you don't try to reload a heavier or longer bullet, or seat deeper then they do.
It for sure increases reliability of the factory round.

I seriously doubt screwing reloaders even enters into anyones mind when they design and load factory ammo.

rc

 

[ljnowell]

Actually, it is Federals way of positively preventing bullet setback causing guns to blow up and them getting sued.

It is a good idea, and there is nothing wrong with it if you don't try to reload a heavier or longer bullet, or seat deeper then they do.
It for sure increases reliability of the factory round.

I seriously doubt screwing reloaders even enters into anyones mind when they design and load factory ammo.

rc

Thats exactly what I was thinking. Seems like it would be a good way to keep a bullet from setting back.