.375Win Buckled cases WTF!?

[Demonical]

I went to load a few rounds of .375Win today and had serious issues with cases buckling.

These cases were not full length resized, but my sizing die has no expander plug anyway. I flared the case mouths. If I flared the case mouth any more, then they won't fit into the bullet seating die.

I tried to load 220gr Hornady FN and buckled 3 cases. So then I tried a 235gr Woodleigh and had the same result.


I suspect this f**king Winchester brass is just too soft.

WTF is going on here!?

 

[444shooter]

Size a case, then measure the inside dia at the neck and then measure the bullet dia. I like the Lyman expander die or the Lee expander die set.

Nice collection of Woodleigh bullets

 

[Ardent]

You'll need to move to an expander die, the thin, straight .375 Win case can be problematic. Also, don't be afraid to lube inside the case with a light wipe of case lube on a Q-tip. This will likely solve your issue in itself, and is actually recommended in my Speer manuals with a proper crimp. I'd just make sure they're crimped into the cannelure.

 

[Demonical]

Oh man... one of those embarrassing moments...

I screwed up. Wasn't adjusting the seating dies correctly. I decided to re-read the instructions and got the thing set properly. It's working perfectly of course.

You'd think I'd know after all the loading I've done over the years!

 

[WhelanLad]

punching paper or hunting?
what fps your loads going?
cheers
WL

 

[Demonical]

^ Don't have any velocity data yet; this was the first loading.

FYI, I loaded 3 with 31grs H4198 and the 225 Hornady FN and 3 with 28grs H4198 and the 235gr Woodleigh Weldcore spitzer.

I will likely take this out for black bear some day. Gotta shoot a black bear with everything at least once!

 

[Demonical]

Next question: is there any way to salvage these cases?