Winchester .380 brass

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

ole farmerbuck

Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2009
Messages
2,112
Location
Western Ks
I finally got all of my bullets to start loading the 380. Everything was going good till i started checking the loaded rounds for bullet movement. Couldnt budge any of them except for the Win brass. I could push the bullets in them without too much trouble. So, i tightened the crimp a little but went too far and started to wrinkle the cases. These are Lee dies. What do you think? I need to send the die in and have it 'fixed'? I had to do this with RCBS in 40s&w for RP cases. Fixed that problem!
 
i have had the same thing happen to me. i have double and triple checked the brass, because i thought that maybe i had forgot to size them. i just went and bought a lee factory crimp die, it is an easy way to fix the "problem". i dont know if the win brass is extra soft or what. but, the fcd fixes loose bullets.
 
The FCD is not a cure for improper neck tension.
It is a band-aid.

Your expander is too big, or your sizer die is over-size for thinner winchester brass.

One or the other need to be addressed to get proper neck tension in the first place.

Squeezing the bullet in a FCD is not the answer.

Taper crimp cannot hold a bullet in place if case neck tension is not correct to begin with.

rc
 
Yea RC i know you're right but i 've had it ordered before i got the regular dies. Anyway, i have some case measurements and it doesnt look good for the Win and RP brass. Here they are
RP--.354.5
Win-.353
CBC-.350.5
FC--.351
Fiocchi-.352
Cbc-.351
Looks like i need to get another die, maybe Hornady and have them fix it to fit the thinner brass. Had to do it with 40 s&w for RP's. The only die i have for the 380 is Lee.
 
rc, i agree that it is probably a band aid, but, i have several brands of 380 brass here (roughly 1500 rounds). and this tension problem is a on again /off agin problem for me. i USUALLY do not load hot loads, so i usually do not sort my brass. so if the expander or sizer was the problem, why wouldnt we experience the same problem with all of the brass? do you think the lee dies are the culprit?
 
For whatever reason, it appears from ole farmerbuck's measurements that the Win & Rem brass have thinner case necks, or more "spring back" after sizing then other brands.

The only cure is a smaller sizing die.

rc
 
Here's an idea....

I think we should all just drop a handful of 380 cases into an envelope and mail them to him. If everyone here mails him 10 cases, he should have about 2.6 million cases by the end of the week and one very mad mailman.

Then the boy can just work it out! :neener:
 
I agree with rfwobbly!:) I knew i would find some cases somewhere. Yea, i can tell when i resize there isnt much sizing going on. I think i will get a Hornady or Redding die and try it. If they arent tight enough, i know at least Hornady will give me quick turn around time. Getting ahold of RCBS on the ph is ummm....:banghead:
 
I'll even furnish envelopes and stamps.:D I see Midway is expecting some in a few days. Probably like primers though and i'll be a minute late. No, i dont need primers.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top