Brass Mouth Flaring Question

[hiredgun]

I am new to reloading and am unsure how much mouth flaring for a 38 Special case is enough? I have resized the brass using a Lee FL sizing die. When I follow the instructions for the Lee flaring die, I do not "feel" any sensation of contact to the sized case when using the Challenger's handle. I intend to load lead SMC bullets. A visual examination of a case that has been run through the flaring die does not show change. Should I put the calipers on the case to determine if the flaring die has changed the case? Lastly, should I lube the case (inside or outside) prior to running it through the flaring die? The FL resizing die is carbide so I did not lube for resizing. Thanks for any advice.

 

[glenliz87]

I load .38 as well & when expanding the case mouth, very seldom do I feel any resistance, if at all. The flare is hard to see most of the time, it has to be minimal. What I do is I just flare enough where the bullet will sit on the case & not shave the lead. If you don't have one of your lead bullets handy, just use your caliper. But remember, do not flare the case too much otherwise the bullet will fit too loosely or drop in the case altogether.
Secondly, lube is not required for straight wall pistol cases if you are using carbide dies as you say. Actually, no lube is required in the expanding die either.

 

[saskgunowner101]

I notice a ring(not very big) inside the mouth of the case when I flare. It doesn't have to be a lot, just so your bullet can sit on and in a hair. Set aside a few cases and tinker with it, to see what it does.

 

[Ganderite]

Before you flare, abullet will sit on top of the case mouth. After you flare, it will sit slightly inside the mouth. I flare enough that when I run my fingers up the case I feel a lip at the top.

The flaring die is a straight shank that goes into the case, to open it to bullet dieamter. then it has a bevel on it that flares the case. You might only be at the stage where the shank is going into the case. Run the tool deeper and deeper, in quarter turn increments, and you will suddenly feel a resistance as the flare starts. Go deeper....

 

[vagrantviking]

The least amount of flaring that you can get away with will give you longer brass life. I can barely feel it at all with my fingers and have to look in the neck to see if I've put them through the expander die. There is very little resistance or "feel" when running them through the die.

 

[H4831]

The least amount of flaring that you can get away with will give you longer brass life. I can barely feel it at all with my fingers and have to look in the neck to see if I've put them through the expander die. There is very little resistance or "feel" when running them through the die.

Yes, that is precisely the information I give.