Neck Tension on 38 special

[sequins]

Can you measure your brass wall thickness? If you have a ball micrometer and take an average of 3 measurements to identify your brass wall width, you can subtract 2xWidth from a caliper measurement of the case to determine your inside diameter.

Size a case, take these measurements, and compare them with your bullet and post them here for us to compare with our brass. We can easily determine if brass or die or even bullet undersized is at fault here this way.

As for the stations, I have a coax press so die swaps are easy but I size & deprime, flare, charge, seat, crimp. I use separate dies for each brass operation and I use redding and get good results but I'd expect good results from any manufacturer for sizing and crimping, seating is where you see the difference imo.

 

[cfullgraf]

I also use the expanders that came with the die sets, or M-Die type replacements, and not a PTX etc on my LNL to expand/flare when loading.

I also use the expanders that came with the die sets.

I’ve made drop tubes for the powder measure that do not make any changes to the case mouth. My drop tubes also minimize powder spillage that the reverse conical, universal drop tubes might experience.

I realize not everyone has the equipment to make their own drop tubes.

 

[Bcwitt]

I have also seized w 38s die & seated w 9mm TC die. Works fine.

 

[lordpaxman]

I also use the expanders that came with the die sets, or M-Die type replacements, and not a PTX etc on my LNL to expand/flare when loading.

There are PTX M style expanders available:
https://www.doublealpha.biz/us/hornady-lnl-powder-funnel
I believe there is another source for these as well, but I’ve switched to these primarily for coated bullets. Presumably they help preserve neck tension and help seat bullets straighter for those of us that don’t employ Uber seating dies. Good luck.