I have reloaded for a while now and I notice that the 38 cases will sometimes have a bulge near the bottom of the cartridge. Its like a ring around the cartridge. I believe I have the dies adjusted correctly. When I size them it seems to size fully. I don't have problems with 357's or other calibers for that matter. They will fit in the cylinder, but they are tight. I use rcbs dies and I have several sets and both seem to have the same problem. Any ideas out there.

Thanks, David

did you mic the bulge? or is it just a shiney ring at the bottom?

It's just the case expanding to fit the chamber when fired. The portion of the case closest to the flange is reinforced by the flange and can't swell out like the rest of the case, so it looks like there is a bulge there.

It's no big deal.

Definetly a bulge, the cartridge slides into the cylinder until the bulge then you need to push it in with your finger. Sometimes its also a little hard to rotate the cylinder, but it will function

You are talking about a fired, unsized case being a tight fit in the cylinder, aren't you?

Because loaded ammo should drop into the cylinder. Shouldn't need any kind of push to seat it.

From what you say, it would seem that the web of the case is expanding. Get out your calipers, and check it against a new, unfired case.

Try a LEE or Lyman carbide sizing die. They both seem to me to go down to the groove.

Flash

What load are you shooting?

Make sure you are not seating the bullet too deap. Also make sure you are starting them perfectly straight in the seating die.

Also, sometimes carbide dies will leave a *slight* bulge at the bottom since they truly don't go all the way to the bottom like steel dies do. However, this slight bulge never interferes with function.

Is this bulge affecting function? If not, it's normal.

If it does interfere, the cases may have been used just too many times and may be time to be retired. Sizing is what I *think* wears out .38 cases- not shooting them.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

Any time a case is sized when held in a shell holder, the dies does not go all the way to the bottom and a small bulge is left. This is normal and usually of no concern. I believe Lee makes a special die to eliminate the bulge, if it is causing you problems. They call it the Bulge Buster but, If I am remembering correctly, it is intended for rimless cases. I've never felt the need for one.

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Pisgah

If you can post some pictures, it would be easier to tell what's up.

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Still Running Against the Wind

You didn't mention what kind of a pistol the .38's were being shot in. If they are being shot in a Mod 52, there could be a small bulge in the one side of the case base, about 3/16ths" up. Comes from the unsupported chamber, and a slightly weak recoil spring. It should re-size out with no problem. I had these for awhile with my 52 some years ago.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Are you sure that it is the bottom of the case that is causing it not to chamber easily? Do you ever trim your brass, if not and they have been loaded alot they could have stretched enough to become too long for the chamber. It would be really helpful if you could measure the base and length with calipers to see if either are out of spec.

I'm shooting light loads, lead, Wadcutters and semi wadcutters. If I load anything hot, I opt for 357. The length of the cases are within spec and even unloaded the cases will not go in the cylinder with ease. Its not all of them either. I shoot them through smith 10, 14, 586, ruger sp101, and a colt king cobra. I don't have any problems with any other caliber, even 357. I'm using carbide dies. I'll try to post some pics soon. Thanks for all that are responding.

If it's only some of the 38Special cases causing a problem,,could some of your cases be older 'balloon head' cases.
They leave the very bottom of the sides of the case unsupported unlike current cases do. If so, they could be giving it up after a few too many reloads and the sizer doesn't quite reach down that far to push everything back into place.
There aren't many around anymore but you do run into them once in awhile. Just a thought.

I'd be inclined to agree with you about the baloon=heads, but I haven't run into any since I shot up that box of pre-war Winchesters, which was a very long time ago when I thought "well bullets is bullets".

Flash

Some of my 38s buldge. I have a Saco 6 cavity double ended WC mold. I found I can get better accuracy by NOT sizing the bullets after casting. Hense, I get buldges a the spot where the bullet enters the case. Its so bad, if I didnt use the Lee Carbie Crimping die, I couldnt get in in any of my cylender or chamber (M52).

The Lee CFC die has a carbide insert at the bottom that resized the case after you crimp it.

Its slicker the Slick Willie.

This sometimes happens when using cases mark +P or +P+ headstamp because of the thicker web and reloading with .358 hardcast lead boolits. Doesn't happen with HBWC or .357 jacketed boolits.

If you’re loading wad cutters, they are probably sized to .358 or up to 360 in some cases. When seated into the case, the long shank of the bullet starts to impinge into the tapered part inside of the case causing it to bulge outward and create the ring you are taking about. This seems to be a problem, especially with the wad cutter, because of its long length compared to other 38 bullets. Try seating the bullet farther out of the case and see if the problem subsides. You really only have to seat the wad cutter flush with the case mouth if you are using it in a semi auto like the mod. 52. If it’s a revolver then it won’t matter if the bullet is seated out of the case a bit.

Unloaded, sized cases should go in and out of the chamber without too much difficulty. Sometimes however, the case mouth is flared a bit, even after the resizing process, and grabs the sides of the chamber somewhat. This is normal but the case should still enter the chamber with only a little finger pressure.

Some time ago I saw a S&W Mod 66 that would swell the cases even 38s. The cases were hard to eject and reinserting the empties in a different chamber was not easy. Using a set of mics on the cylinder OD showed the bulged areas, which allowed the brass to expand. Obviously waaay to many hot loads were fired, but surprisingly the cylinder held together. This may not be so in you case and it may only be one gun that is causing the problem.
Gene

I had this problem with 357 brass cases loading DEWC bullets and bought the Lee factory sizer/crimper die and it smooths out the slight bump quite well.

I'd mike the chambers of my revolver and see what they are measuring. Second, double check the adjustment on the sizing die and make sure you are resizing full length. Then mike the case length and make sure you are maintaining your cases within spec. If all else fails, I might think about getting new cases......

Just a thought, but check your overall case length (empty case no bullet - sized but not expanded). Although straight wall cases normally do not grow in length may be the brass is a little soft allowing for it to stretch. SAAMI length is 1.155. Normally SAAMI length has an allowance of .005. Therefore your absolute max length should not exceed 1.160. Over length cases will definitely bulge the cases.

This reply from a few years ago, seems to address my current problem, best (I was reading old forums...) I have a 38 reloading problem, with a bulge at the bottom of my 148 DBWC's that are seated almost flush in the cases. It has been happening with some brass, and more often, nickel-plated cases. .358 bullets are being used. It is just a bit frustrating. Most catridges are coming out fine, but, not always. I'm only using about 4 grains of "True Blue" so these are definitely mild loads.

I have had this problem over the years and it is usually due to the type of brass being used is on the "Thick side" or the bullets are on the "Fat side" and if you get a heavy walled case and a bullet at .358 dia. or more you will really notice a "Bulge" in the loading.

The old Speer 160gr SJFP in a .357 mag. loading was famous for "This Look".

If the load enters your cylinder normally.......I see no problem, even though it is an "Ugly" load........... and yes, care should be taken to seat/start the bullet in a correct, straight, upright, position, if possible.
I do not have a progressive loader, so I can take my time and try to get things right but "Ugly" still happens now and then.
Good shooting.