.38, .357

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I load .38 Special that I use in both my .38 and .357. They work great in my .357. But sometimes I have problems with them in my .38. They don't fit all the way into the cylnder. Resizing issue? Nickle plated 158 gr swc.
 
Odds are if they fit fine in the .357 but don't quite want to chamber in the .38, than you may have the bullets seated out a bit too far, touching the throat of the chamber.
 
Canuck223 has probably hit it, but just to make sure try to chamber a resized empty case into the .38, this will tell you if your shell holder or die is out of spec, or out of adjustment. The .38 could have tight chambers, and might be just more particular than the .357.
 
I would bet its to do with the sizing or post crimp. Too much crimp will bell the case mouth resulting in difficulty seating in cylinder. That problem drove me nuts when I first starting loading 25yrs ago and unfortunately I had to learn by trial/error. FYI that Lee factory crimp/sizer die works like a charm. It does mean an extra step but the results are very nice.
Just a little hint from your old uncle Buck...
Cheers
dB:)
 
daBear. The crimp die that you are talking about. Does it crimp from the side instead of pushing from the top? I've heard about crimp dies like that. Is there such a thing?

P.S. The toaster and radio thing is hilarious. I allmost fell off my chair:D :D :D :D
 
U got it..It forces the round thru the flange-like collar which is a series of segments formed into a circle at the case mouth. U can set the "tension" so you can have a slight crimp or u can really crank it too but it will only go so far. The good thing is that it also sizes the casing to the factory specs with a carbide sizing ring so u get consistent diameter..The good thing is that you cant buckle the case like you can do with other seating/crimping dies..U just need to remember that is is for crimping/sizing only and not to be used as a seating die. Well worth the $20(Wholesale Sports) or whatever you can get it for..
It works well for me in this 38/357 and all my revolver calibers..
Good luck
dB:)
 
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38/357

daBear said:
I would bet its to do with the sizing or post crimp. Too much crimp will bell the case mouth resulting in difficulty seating in cylinder. dB:)
Click to expand...

OK... I have to agree with daBear 100%... drove me nutz (Picturing Batman talking to the Joker) with about 300 loaded shells, until I figured this out. "TOO MUCH CRIMP" will cause this and give you a "HEADACHE".
 
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