Encountered a problem when reloading starline brass

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thechineseguy

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The two cartridges on the left were loaded using brand new starline brass and the two on the right were loaded using S&B brass.

The length of the starline brass is between 1.271-1.273" and the S&B brass is 1.270-1.273".

Any idea what could be causing this? Could the brass be a little softer with starline?
 
Are you using a separate die for crimping? If you are using one die to seat and crimp that could be your problem. The die has crimped the bullet before it is fully seated so the case is getting crushed.
 
Reset your dies for the star line and try again.
I've reloaded lots of mixed brass ,star line included, I had the same issue as you and it was the die adjustment,

Maybe your setting your crimp for the shorter brass and the getting to much crimp on the longer brass????
 
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I'm not sure if I am seeing this right - the starling brass, does it look like it buckled? I've loaded .357 Magnum starline brass with no issues. I use Lee factory crimp die.
 
HammerliSP20 said:
Are you using a separate die for crimping? If you are using one die to seat and crimp that could be your problem. The die has crimped the bullet before it is fully seated so the case is getting crushed.
Click to expand...

yes, it is the RCBS seating and roll crimp die. the same die setting was used to do the S&B brass which turned out fine but not with the Starline brass and both are the same length. thats what puzzles me.
 
i think i will just use my seat/crimp die for seating only and then but a lee factory crimp die since i need a really strong crimp for the h110 44mag loads.
 
Hi,

You can also do it in two passes to prevent deformation. This'll work 100%.

1. raise the die so that it does not crimp. Seat the bullets.
2. back out the seater stem and then crimp with the RCBS die.

The reason cases crumple like this is because the crimp starts before the bullet is fully seated. Then as the die tries to seat the bullet deeper it cannot, so the case gets squished instead.

Chris.
 
Crimping before seating is finished? Can you pull the bullets and see if the non-starline bullets show a 5thou scrape?

If so set your die depth and crimp first, then adjust the bullet seating depth... Or do it in two operations seat and crimp.
 
thechineseguy said:
i think i will just use my seat/crimp die for seating only and then but a lee factory crimp die since i need a really strong crimp for the h110 44mag loads.
Click to expand...

^^ This. I had such a time with roll crimping in the past that I purchased the Lee factory crimp die for each cartridge I load for. Yes it's an extra step in the process, but the issue went away. Case length, while they should be all reasonably the same and to spec, is not critical with the factory crimp die like it is with the roll crimp process.
 
now the million dollar question...

i have a bunch of these rounds with buckled cases. would they be safe to shoot if they fit in the chamber of the revolver?
 
HammerliSP20 said:
Are you using a separate die for crimping? If you are using one die to seat and crimp that could be your problem. The die has crimped the bullet before it is fully seated so the case is getting crushed.
Click to expand...

^^^^ this......also the flaring may not be sufficient to insert the projectile.
 
I'd say that's definitely die setting, I've also found that using a little mica on the case helps. Franklin arsenal sells a neat little kit with different size brushes and a well that holds the mica. You don't need very much a little goes a very long way and you'll find that your cases go in and out of the sizing die a lot easier.
 
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