Rookie Question?

[Bnowlin48]

I have completed version 1.0 of my loading bench and I am about to start reloading. I've been reading, and watching video so I'm pretty good to go. I have several years experience (back in the day) reloading shotgun shells, and I have a serious SAFETY attitude, but I'm new to pistols.

Here is the question. I have come by about 1000, 100 gr. double ended, 38 special wad cutter bullets. There is a groove, (not the proper name I'm sure) near the end on each end. Do I seat the bullets to the groove so the crimp will fold in it or do I seat the bullets flush with the end of the case?

I'll be using my brand new, Lee classic turret press.

Opinions?

Since I posted this, I searched the forum and found a thread on a similar issue. That thread sounded like my grandpaw when he taught me how to cut rafters. "quit scratchin' your head Boy! Jus make sure you're right, then go get the saw" I'd still like your opinions.

BN

 

[tightgroup tiger]

You can seat to the canular at the end of the bullet so most of it is in the case.

There is nothing anywhere in writing that I have found that says that a wad cutter bullet has to be seated flush with the end of the case.

They don't have to seated to the canular either unless you are using them in a tube magazine rifle.

 

[cmhellie]

I've generally seated in the cannular if it doesn't violate OAL. The cannular helps to minimize/prevent bullet movement from recoil and when stacked in a tubular magazine.

It is important to abide by OAL to prevent pressure fluctuations.

 

[41 Mag]

Welcome to the forum.

As mentioned there isn't a REAL set in concrete rule on the DEWC's or double ended wad cutters, most folks do one of two things, they seat to the cannalure or just flush so that they can roll the edge of the lip of the case over the end.

The heavier they are the longer they are and will take up more room in the cases. For one as light as you mention that isn't going to be a big deal. With some that might go 148grs and using one of the more popular powders you really need to watch the listed OAL in the manual. If your using an off brand or pouring them yourself, they still should be somewhat close to what is in one of the manuals so that is the best guide.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

[rfwobbly]

To seat the DEWC flush with the end of the case calls for the anvil (inside the seating die) to enter the case by about .003-.008". If you are using stock Lee dies with your loading setup, then the Lee anvil is too big to allow that to happen.

So you can place that stock anvil in a drill motor and reduce the diameter of the anvil's tip, or you can simply start seating to the crimp grove provided.

So the mechanics of your seating die will answer your question for you.

 

[Hondo 60]

The standard DEWC is 148 gr.
Because yours are 100 gr, I'd seat it flush.

You want X amount of the bullet inside the case.
The diameter is going to be the same in either 148 gr or 100 gr.
That means the 100 gr are going to be shorter, so I'd want more of it in the case.

By the way, welcome to The High Road!

To seat the DEWC flush with the end of the case calls for the anvil (inside the seating die) to enter the case by about .003-.008". If you are using stock Lee dies with your loading setup, then the Lee anvil is too big to allow that to happen.

While true, if you seat & crimp in 2 steps, (instead of one), the belling of the case should be sufficient to allow the full seating.
If you seat & crimp in one step, then you may not be able to seat flush.