357 loading questions

[DixieLandMan]

I wondered if anyone had any problems reloading 357 bullets into the revolver. Basically, I loaded up some rounds and when I went to put them in the cylinder, they would only go maybe 1/8" in. I tried several like this and some would not go in at all (just the projectile) and others would go in just a little way and stop. Like the brass was too big or something. I took a .38 special and inserted it with no problem. Does someone know if I am doing something wrong?

[Appliancedude]

Yep. Get a bullet gauge. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/466..._vc=S015645976If it fits in it, then it will fit your chamber. I've had a few that wont fit my gauge, I just run them back through the sizer. they fit fine then. Don't know if thats the proper way to do it, but doesn't seem to have hurt my die any

[Bud0505]

Were the .38 spls reloads or factory ammo? Sounds like you might have a problem with the taper/crimp on the .357s. Can you provide a little more information? Case, projectile, OAL, diameter of the load at the crimp? A picture would help also.

[DixieLandMan]

the 38's were reloads. I have the boxes at home and I'll take a picture of what I had loaded up and the problem. It is like the case will not fit all the way. the 38's do and the factory 357 I have but not 357 reloads. I'll take a picture this afternoon and post. The 38's were loaded with Hornady bullets and the ones that did not fit are loaded with speer 146 and 158 grain JHP.

[Bud0505]

I agree with Appliancedude you need a case gauge. Also you need to check the .357s to make sure the case isn't bulged. Resizing should eliminate any bulge.

[312shooter]

Sounds as if the cases were not sized properly, and/or the completed round may not have been crimped enough to remove the expanded case mouth. By chance are these nickle plated?

[76Highboy]

DixieLandMan, If you are seating and crimping in the same step, you could very well be bulging the case midway down. If you seat and then use a Lee Taper Crimp die the problem will go away. I am sure it is not a resizing issue because when you deprime and seat that step is sufficient enough to resize the brass to proper specs. Are you seating and crimping in the same step?

Jim

[LDBennett]

DixieLandMan:

You probably did too much of a crimp and swelled the cases.

While I am NOT a LEE fan the one tool that they make that nobody else does is the LEE Factory Crimp Dies (FCD). For rifle cartridges it is a collet that just squeezes the case to the bullet. The pistol version is much different. After it crimps the case to the bullet it passes the case, on removing the case from the die, through another sizer which absolutely assures the cartridge will fit any correct chamber.

It is better to do the crimping separate from the bullet seating. Adding the LEE FCD as an additional process and setting up the seating die to NOT crimp is a much better way.

LDBennett

[76Highboy]

Originally Posted by LDBennett

DixieLandMan:

You probably did too much of a crimp and swelled the cases.

While I am NOT a LEE fan the one tool that they make that nobody else does is the LEE Factory Crimp Dies (FCD). For rifle cartridges it is a collet that just squeezes the case to the bullet. The pistol version is much different. After it crimps the case to the bullet it passes the case, on removing the case from the die, through another sizer which absolutely assures the cartridge will fit any correct chamber.

It is better to do the crimping separate from the bullet seating. Adding the LEE FCD as an additional process and setting up the seating die to NOT crimp is a much better way.

LDBennett

Well said LD. How you doin?

[LDBennett]

76Highboy said:

"How you doin?"

Just fine, thank you. Is there a reason you asked?

LDBennett

[myfriendis410]

I think you nailed it: over-crimp using a roll crimp die. A taper crimp die will eliminate this and obviate the necessity of trimming all your brass. It will also extend the life of the brass.

[DixieLandMan]

312shooter, yes, these were nickle cases. I will try a brass case this afternoon to see if those work. I hope that it is something that I can fix because I think that most of my 357 brass is actually nickle.

I took some pictures last night so I'll post them when I get back to the house.

[howlnmad]

There are a few possibilities.

- you are not getting all of the flare out caused by improper die adjustment

- you are over crimping and bulging the cases, caused by improper die adjustment

- the bullet may be seated crooked. Unlikely if you have this problem with multiple rounds.

While taper crimp dies can be had for 38/357 rounds, your off the shelf die set will come with a roll crimp. You problems are most likely in your die adjustment. Post some pics so we can see what's going on.

[mikld]

Measure the finished cartridge. A cartridge is a peg, the chamber is a hole. If the peg is bigger than the hole, it won't go in. Simple as that. Measure an unloaded case then measure a completed cartridge. Will an empty case chamber? If the OD is more than .379" it won't go in the chamber. Case gauges are fine, but it's better to just measure. Once you find out where the round is too big, then you can troubleshoot.

Did you shoot many .38 Specials in the gun before you tried to chamber a .357"? A crud/carbon ring can form in a chamber from shooting 38 Specials in a .357 chamber...

[okiefired]

Dont you have a set of calipers? If so, measure thoes that wont go and see where they're too big, you can better asses your problem then. Pretty sure your answers been gevin here already just need more info to see which answer fits the problem. Just one question....you have loaded good rounds with the same resizer in the past...right? If so, a bunch, or just a few?

okie

[DixieLandMan]

Ok, attached are 2 pictures. To throw a twist to this issue, I tried brass cases and other nickel plated cases and I found out that only the nickel plated RP cases were the problem ones. I tried the brass RP and they went in perfectly. I tried other nickel cases and they went in perfectly. Could the issue be with just the RP cases? Anyone else have this issue?

[gun-nut]

I have not had any problems with the RP nickel brass. and thats for both 357 and 38spl.

[American Leader]

Thanks LD, just keep pushin those LEE products!

[Bud0505]

Dixielandman,

How many cases do you have that won't fit? If your brass cases and other nickel cases fit, it good be you have a couple of bad cases that need to be scrapped? Just a thought.

[gdmoody]

On that bullet you are holding, it appears that there IS a bulge just about where the bullet is crimped. It also could be a reflection, though. I agree with using a Lee FCD to get rid of the problem. I also agree with Bud0505 to scrap the cases if you can't re-size the problem away.

[LDBennett]

To set up any die for crimping you have to do it in tiny steps using a set of calipers so as to not exceed the book dimensions where the crimp is made.

If you use the bullet seating/crimp die then you must first back out the die from the press so no crimp is made. Slowly and progressively seat a bullet in a test round until it is seated where you want. Then take out the seating plug altogether. Move the seating die in the press downward and progressively until you get there correct crimp as measured with calipers. Lock the die down and reinsert the seating plug slowly while the press is all the way up and the test round is in the shell holder. You are using the test round as a gage to set up the seating plug. Do not seat the bullet any farther in this final step. Now, do another test round to be sure all is correct.

A better way, as I said before, is to use two dies: the regular seating/crimp die backed out of the press to only seat the bullet and not crimp, and a separate crimp only die, like those made by LEE (the FCD) or someone else's crimp only die. Remember, revolver cartridges get roll crimps and most rimless semi-auto cartridges get taper crimps.

LDBennett

[DixieLandMan]

gdmoody, I measured the bullet and the buldge is just the reflection. I have about 7-10 nickle plated RP brass that will not seat. I'm just going to scrap them and throw them in the recycle bucket. Not worth the hassle. Thank y'all for your help with this issue.

[mikld]

Have you measured them yet? Do the nikel cases measure larger in OD? Give us some actual measurements (to the third decimal place or thousandths of an inch). "Buldge" is not a unit of measure and can't measure pics...

[PanhandlePop]

Originally Posted by howlnmad

There are a few possibilities.

- you are not getting all of the flare out caused by improper die adjustment

- you are over crimping and bulging the cases, caused by improper die adjustment

- the bullet may be seated crooked. Unlikely if you have this problem with multiple rounds.

While taper crimp dies can be had for 38/357 rounds, your off the shelf die set will come with a roll crimp. You problems are most likely in your die adjustment. Post some pics so we can see what's going on.

I agree with the above and really doubt that there is an issue with the nickel plated brass. I can't even guess how many I've reloaded over the years and never had an issue similar to yours. If I were you, I would first reinstall all of your dies following the directions provided by the mfg, then try again with the "bad" brass.

Good luck!

[mikld]

Measure the !$@(! #$@ cartridges!