full lenght resizing dies 357 hornady issue

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TightGroup

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Hi,

Before I get all mad at Hornady. I would like to verify my findings. According to SAAMI cylindrical diameter is .379. both for 38 spl and 357 mag. Now my full length resizing die from Hornady has an opening of .371 my brass moves from .377 to .380

It does not work. Or am I in clouds with this
 
I measured some loaded rounds of .38 special, mixed brass, using Dillon dies.

.377 - at the bullet bulge.
.374 - sized portion of the case below the bullet bulge.
.3755 - unsized portion of the case near the base.

I would measure the ID of my sizers ring for you, but my brother borrowed it. Tell us more about the brass and your reloading setup.
 
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Simple dillon 550 bought the Hornady dies 4 years ago along with the press. Just got around to setting things up. In and out of the hospital for the last 4 years. The case just jams. Took the dies apart cleaned and lubed the case. Same issue.
 
HI. Are the dies Carbide or OR are they steel dies that need to be lubed? Try lubing a case and see if it slides in just for interest.

OOps , see you already lubed the cases.
 
Is the decapping pin hitting the flash hole? Can you slightly loosen the decapping rod to allow a little play? Then gently raise a case into the die while manually wiggling the decapping rod so that it hits the hole to see if that's your problem?
 
Raton57 said:
The cases have to go in by force they don't just drop into the sizing die
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the OP knows that (at least I hope so) but they're likely concerned about the amount of force required. If it's unmovable, I think my off-centre decapping pin theory might have some merit. Hopefully the OP will provide an update when they figure it out.
 
The brass can be used up. Do they have been fired in your gun or it is range brass ? Brass might have been shot in a large chamber.
My guess is it is not the die..but the brass.
 
I ordered a Lee die set, it seems Dillon is out of stock for a while. I should get the Lee set by end of next week. The opening of the die is just too small (.271). I have a mind to take the die to a machine shop with some brass. But I fear that the work will cost me more that a new set of Lee dies. I did not reach out to Hornady yet. But once I have solid data I will update them. I will update this thread once I get the Lee dies of course and I will add pics..
 
TightGroup said:
I ordered a Lee die set, it seems Dillon is out of stock for a while. I should get the Lee set by end of next week. The opening of the die is just too small (.271). I have a mind to take the die to a machine shop with some brass. But I fear that the work will cost me more that a new set of Lee dies. I did not reach out to Hornady yet. But once I have solid data I will update them. I will update this thread once I get the Lee dies of course and I will add pics..
Click to expand...

Is it 0.271 or 0.371? Your posts have different numbers, which is correct?

I have Lee dies, I will try to remember to measure them with calipers when I get home.
 
All Hornady pistol dies made in the last thirty years have a carbide ring. The chances of it being the wrong size are close to zero.

Take the decapping pin completely out and run a case up into it. It will go up all the way and all is well.

Then take a look at the decapping pin. You will find it is slightly bent and is hitting the bottom of the case missing the flash hole. You can bend it but the best fix is to put a new decapping pin in.
 
I, along with others, have mentioned the possibility of a misaligned decapping pin/rod. Did you try any of our suggestions? Maybe you've already ruled that out, but you seem resigned to the fact that the die is too tight. Don't get me wrong, .371 is tight, but not unheard of.

Definitely a bit of a mystery...
 
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