Smith & Wesson Forum

Advertise With Us Search
Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-02-2011, 03:34 PM
BHall BHall is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Liked 11 Times in 5 Posts
Default Resizing Bullets

Greetings Everyone:

I need to resize some 148gr HBWC from .358 to .356 for a Sig Hammerli P240. What would be a good brand to have for this purpose? I don't plan on casting my own bullets so this will be used for resizing only and probably not for lubing. Thank you to all.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-02-2011, 04:10 PM
aphelion's Avatar
aphelion aphelion is offline
Member
Resizing Bullets Resizing Bullets  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Idaho
Posts: 674
Likes: 963
Liked 793 Times in 266 Posts
Default

This works with your reloading press. Around 18 bucks at Midway and other places -

Lee Precision: Lube & Sizing Kit
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-02-2011, 04:22 PM
OKFC05 OKFC05 is offline
Member
Resizing Bullets Resizing Bullets  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 8,161
Likes: 3,622
Liked 5,210 Times in 2,174 Posts
Default

Pardon the curiosity, but what caliber are we discussing?
According to my catalog, the pistol is only produced in the following calibers: 38 SPL WC, 32 S&W long and 22lr.
__________________
Science plus Art
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-02-2011, 10:37 PM
BHall BHall is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Liked 11 Times in 5 Posts
Default

This will be for .38 special. The Lee kit might just be the ticket.

Last edited by BHall; 11-02-2011 at 10:39 PM. Reason: mistake in addition
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-02-2011, 10:43 PM
Alk8944 Alk8944 is offline
Suspended
Resizing Bullets Resizing Bullets Resizing Bullets Resizing Bullets Resizing Bullets  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sandy Utah
Posts: 8,747
Likes: 1,590
Liked 8,914 Times in 3,554 Posts
Default

If the pistol is chambered for .38 Special use the .358 bullets as-is. Even if Sig used a .356 (standard 9mm) dimensioned barrel it is because using the smaller barrel does not cause any problems with standard ammunition. If you expect to improve accuracy by sizing the bullets to .356 you are very likely to be disappointed!

The Hammerli name is renowned for accuracy. Don't you suppose if the precise barrel dimension was critical to accuracy that they would be building their pistols with .358 barrels?

You are trying to solve a non-existant problem.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-03-2011, 01:00 AM
fredj338's Avatar
fredj338 fredj338 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Kalif. usa
Posts: 6,836
Likes: 2,665
Liked 3,927 Times in 2,366 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alk8944 View Post
If the pistol is chambered for .38 Special use the .358 bullets as-is. Even if Sig used a .356 (standard 9mm) dimensioned barrel it is because using the smaller barrel does not cause any problems with standard ammunition. If you expect to improve accuracy by sizing the bullets to .356 you are very likely to be disappointed!

The Hammerli name is renowned for accuracy. Don't you suppose if the precise barrel dimension was critical to accuracy that they would be building their pistols with .358 barrels?

You are trying to solve a non-existant problem.
I have to agree, if it's a 38sp, then shoot 0.358" bullets. I can;t imagine Sig makes the bores 0.355" like the 9mm for a 38sp. Bore dia should be 0.357", you want to be 0.001" min. larger for best results.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-03-2011, 04:22 AM
olskool's Avatar
olskool olskool is offline
Member
Resizing Bullets Resizing Bullets Resizing Bullets Resizing Bullets Resizing Bullets  
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: the woods of S.C.
Posts: 538
Likes: 2,462
Liked 1,278 Times in 255 Posts
Default

i cast and lube size often. on 38sp. without slugging the bore of your gun to get the correct dia. i would go .359 you want to be 2 thosands over bore dia. if not you will get gas cutting and leading as a result. incorrect dia. of a bullet is what causes most leading and poor accuracy. i shoot 30-30 and 32 win. special rifles with soft cast at around 1800 fps with almost no leading at all. remember size matters!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-03-2011, 05:22 PM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 1,822
Liked 5,413 Times in 2,731 Posts
Default

Manufacturing requires that dimensions have tolerances. While a .38/.357 barrel is nominally .357 inches in groove diameter, manufacturing tolerances allow .356-.358 as acceptable.

Factory ammo will have similar tolerances-at least for lead bullets. I once bought a bulk load of 2K major manufacturer 158 gr .38 Spl RNL slugs and was startled to discover they were .360 inches. They shot just fine.

I agree with the folks who suggest you give the slugs you've got a try before creating work for yourself. If you find you might need a smaller slug, the Lee kit seems a cost effective way to confirm this (BTW, if you resize, you'll have to relube) before you start shopping for a bulk load of bullets of the correct diameter. There are sources who produce bullets of smaller diameters as a regular product.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-04-2011, 03:05 AM
BHall BHall is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Liked 11 Times in 5 Posts
Default

The groove diameter of the barrel is .352 +.002" and the bore diameter (between lands) is .342 +.002" You can find pictures of the barrel on the internet. It is unusual looking.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
22lr, sig arms


Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What About A Dillon Resizing Die? max Reloading 4 09-05-2013 07:00 PM
Resizing Cast Lead Bullets? delta-419 Reloading 6 01-04-2013 11:08 AM
Resizing Question harleydrivinglawnerd Reloading 7 04-14-2012 01:32 PM
Resizing for the 646 MWark Reloading 18 05-11-2011 08:50 PM
Issue with 9mm resizing die RickV Reloading 16 01-20-2009 12:25 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:56 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)