Loading .358 dia HBWC (Help)

[mefitz]

I need some guideance on handloading .358 dia HBWC into a .38spcl Speer case using 3.0 gr of Red Dot. The HBWC is 148 gr. I am using Lee .38 spcl carbide dies in an RCBS single-stage press.

After attempting to seat the WC, it (die) is creating a "shoulder" of sorts on the case. In order to seat the WC flush with the mouth, I'm not sure how to set up the die apparantly. Is there a special WC die? It's just that everytime on the downstroke, the result is that the case ends up looking like a .223 case in that it all of a sudden has a "shoulder". I can seat it flush with no problem, but the case becomes altered.

I'm not sure if I'm clear enough in my description. I wanted to insert a photo, but had some technical problems there.

Am I screwing the die in too much (too low?), or not enough? Am I turning the seating dial in too low? (or not enough)?

This is my first attempt at HBWC loading. I've loaded LSWC with great success.

I'llk take any help available. Thanks in advance

 

[rcmodel]

The seating die is also the crimping die.
It sounds like you have it screwed in so far it is crimping the case before the bullet is fully seated.

To adjust your seating die.
1. Run an empty case up in the backed off die.
2. Screw the die down until you feel the crimp shoulder contact the case mouth.
3. Adjust the seating stem to seat the bullet at the proper depth.
4. Back off the seating stem slightly.
5. Adjust the seating die down just enough to get a proper crimp.
6. Re-adjust the seating stem again to contact the bullet.

You also need to make sure you are belling the case mouth enough to allow the lead bullet to start in the case without shaving lead off of it.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, sounds like you screwed the whole die down instead of just the seater stem. Follow rcmodels instructions and you will be good to go.

 

[mefitz]

Thanks for the ideas.

However, I do have a seperate crimping die. In other words, the set I bought has 4 dies:
Decapper
Expander
Seating
Crimping

At least that's what I thought I was buying.

I'll try the empty case idea tonight. Thanks again.

 

[mefitz]

RC

Yes, that was the other thing I didn't mention. There were thin, lead shavings around the case. I thought maybe I would need to open the case mouth a little more to help the WC go in deeper, quicker.

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Regardless of the forth Lee FCD die.

Your seating die is also capable of crimping just fine, or over-crimping if adjusted wrong.

rc

 

[mefitz]

Thanks again RC, you've helped me on a couple of things now!