Full length re-size or not?

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1shot

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Hey guys,

Loading up some .38spl from brass once fired from my revolver.

Do I have to full length re-size it? Seems that a new bevel base wadcutter is a nice snug fit in the brass and I can apply a light crimp, it fits perfectly in the cylinder..

Any problems doing this with a revolver?..

Cheers!


1Shot
 
1shot said:
Hey guys,

Loading up some .38spl from brass once fired from my revolver.

Do I have to full length re-size it? Seems that a new bevel base wadcutter is a nice snug fit in the brass and I can apply a light crimp, it fits perfectly in the cylinder..

Any problems doing this with a revolver?..

Cheers!


1Shot
Click to expand...

As long as the bullets stay put, why not?

On the other hand, you can easily full length resize as you deprime anyway, and with light loads you will be old and grey(if you're not already:p) before you have to replace the brass.
 
They might feel pretty tight in there but will the 6th one still be in the case after the recoil of the first 5? That would be my concern.

Get a set of carbide dies and just size them down. .38 brass is too cheap and common to worry about brass life.
 
Really I'm just trying to save time.. My three Die set does the following;

1. Resize.
2. Deprime/flare mouth.
3. Seat bullet/roll crimp.
Thats 300 strokes of the press per 100 rounds! So if I could lop off a third of that... ;)

Maybe I should invest in better Dies, perhaps. Well tonight I loaded up some "unsized/fired" brass and gave them a medium crimp, they are not heavy- just 3.0 grains of 700x under a 148 double-bevel wadcutter.
Hopefully I'll pop them off and get to report the results tomorrow.


Cheers!
 
If you want to save time buy a progressive press instead. I won't mention a color to avoid a long "which is best" discussion.;)
 
Last week I took a drive to Hawkesbury to visit Higginson Powders and I finally picked up a reloader. I spent a couple of hours there talking to them and trying to make like a sponge! They suggested I use my caliper and set it to the proper shell length (of whatever I'm reloading) and measure all of the shells, rejecting the ones that needed to be resized and putting the ones that were good to go in another pile. The logic being, no point "resizing" a shell that doesn't need it.
 
Austen said:
Last week I took a drive to Hawkesbury to visit Higginson Powders and I finally picked up a reloader. I spent a couple of hours there talking to them and trying to make like a sponge! They suggested I use my caliper and set it to the proper shell length (of whatever I'm reloading) and measure all of the shells, rejecting the ones that needed to be resized and putting the ones that were good to go in another pile. The logic being, no point "resizing" a shell that doesn't need it.
Click to expand...

The length of the cartridge is not why you re-size it.:rolleyes: I'm sure you misunderstood what they were trying to tell you. And, since you picked up a press, might I suggest your next purchase be a reloading manual. Read the first sections before the data starts. It will explain all the basics related to reloading.
 
joe-nwt said:
The length of the cartridge is not why you re-size it.:rolleyes: I'm sure you misunderstood what they were trying to tell you. And, since you picked up a press, might I suggest your next purchase be a reloading manual. Read the first sections before the data starts. It will explain all the basics related to reloading.
Click to expand...
I agree, they were definitely talking about brass length. You need to resize, all the rounds, or the bullets will not seat properly, move around, and generally bugger you up. In a revolver, it could lock up the gun.
Trimming to length is a simple step that can save you a lot of grief.

Now as to full length sizing, I've not heard of anyone doing neck sizing on pistol brass either, but I can't see a reason why you couldn't try it when they will be shot in a revolver. Benefits? I doubt you'll notice any, but it could happen. You need to do at least some sizing, so, you might just as well size the entire case, it will feed better into the cylinder at the very least.
 
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You need to full length size.

The case walls help in holding the bullet along with the crimp.

You won't save anytime when they won't shoot worth a crap and you have to try to dismantle the ammo.

Do it right the first time.
 
joe-nwt said:
The length of the cartridge is not why you re-size it.:rolleyes: I'm sure you misunderstood what they were trying to tell you. And, since you picked up a press, might I suggest your next purchase be a reloading manual. Read the first sections before the data starts. It will explain all the basics related to reloading.
Click to expand...

Sounds like I did misunderstand, but I certainly pick did up a reloading manual which I am planning to read quite thoroughly before I try my hand. Hey look! I can roll my eyes too! :rolleyes:
 
RePete said:
You need to full length size.

The case walls help in holding the bullet along with the crimp.

You won't save anytime when they won't shoot worth a crap and you have to try to dismantle the ammo.

Do it right the first time.
Click to expand...

Ohh, so I didn't misunderstand afterall. But your saying skip the measuring and size the length and trim as required, therefore you KNOW everything is uniform.
 
Neck resizing only,will help in one respect.Because the case is somewhat fire formed to the chamber walls already, blowback and soot will be lessoned.Just chamber the empty cases before you reload them.Nothing worse than spending all that time and then finding out they won't feed.Bin dare,dun dat.
 
Today I tested these loads at the range.

They fed nicely right into the cylinder of my GP100, and on firing and inspecting- to fifth/sixth unfired round was just beginning to show signs of creeping forward. (Note to self, if I do this again- heavier crimp!)

Accuracy at 15 yards from the bench, (remember I'm testing the bullets, not myself) was actually on par with my regular reloads- take that anyway you wish.. ;)

So today I did not see any difference between full length resized rounds and my short-cut method.
On reflection I wonder if there was any gas blow-by created using an oversize case.. More research methinks!

In any case it was an interesting experiment that I may or may not repeat. Please as always feel free to chime in with thoughts.

Regards,


1Shot
 
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