I've noticed that typically Winchester cases have tighter primer pockets. That doesn't bother me too much. But today while loading a mixed batch of .38 spcl cases the Winchesters seemed to have more neck tension than other cases, even though they had been sized using the same dies. Is this typical? Should I been concerned regarding chamber pressures? The load is for a mild mid range practice round.

I have never noticed Winchester 38 SPCL being different from R-P cases. Sometimes Federal cases seem to be a little heavier, but not enough to matter. Military cases are thicker and the primer pockets are sometimes crimped. Go ahead a load your cases with a accepted load.

The feel of the case varies from brand to brand. I load a lot of plinking rounds with old mixed caseings and maybe I've been loading the special too long but I can generally tell the brand of case by the feel of the belling, primer seating and bullet seating operations. There is generally no real difference in caseings with sensible loads. For the hot loads I only use caseings that have been fired three times or less. Dont know if this matters much but I feel better about it!

__________________
Stay safe people!

Hey,
Thanks for the input.
I haven't been reloading for handguns long enough to know all the nuances of the craft, so I thought I'd ask. I didn't know how much of a multiplier a tight neck would be in addition to a slight crimp for a straight walled case. Your replies make sense. Thanks again.

I do know that the W-W nickel plated cases I use have more neck tension than R-P brass since I can seat 9mm (0.355") jacketed bullets in them but not in the R-P cases. I have also found that the military 38 Specail cases also provide more neck tension than others.