First time reloading - not good

[rkjent]

I used the Lee Classic Loader for the first. Got squib loads. I followed the instructions to the letter. I figure i have either bad powered, bad primers or the wrong size powder scoop in the kit. (bought kit used)

I was not even sure the powder fired. It was almost like only the primer fired. Almost no noise, no recoil, but the bullet lodge in the barrel.

Any ideas?

rj

 

[ken158]

Sounds like you forgot the powder - how many did this before a bullet lodged? Did you buy your components new or used?

 

[socal s&w]

Yup, it sounds like no powder, wet/oily powder that won't ignite, or really old no good powder. If it has a strong acidic odor, it's probably no good.

Even though you may have the specified scoop for your particular powder, I would still highly recommend that you obtain a powder scale to verify.

You are playing with fire if you do not do so......it can be very dangerous not to verify your charge.

 

[Skip Sackett]

How about just a tad more information. Like caliber, powder type, bullet weight, scoop size. You know, details!

You see, handloading is all about details. You have to know them before anything can be commented on!

 

[rkjent]

There you go! When you want a job done right, ask a Marine.

38 caliber JHP. CCI small pistol primer. Alliant Unique Smokeless Powder. Once fired Winchester brass, whitebox.

I used a thin coat of lube on the outside of the caseings during sizing to make them come out of the die easier. I was careful, but maybe I contaiminated the powder with the grease??

I only loaded a few. I do not think I forgot the powder. In fact I was very concerned about getting the right charge, but I was actually worried about getting too hot of a load and somehow damaging my gun.

thanks

 

[rkjent]

One more thing, the powder and primers were new. I broke the seal on both.

 

[Bart 44]

I would suggest you forget the scoops and buy a scale...the only way you can know
for certain the weight of the powder charge.

Dennis.

 

[tgwillard]

Check the powder

If the primer fired and the powder did not ignite, then I would suspect bad powder. I have used the classic Lee Loader for .45 acp, 9mm, .223 Remington, and .308 Winchester with good results. Recommended loads using the included powder measure result in a starting load.
Check the powder. Based on your comments that is the only thing that could be wrong.

 

[Pisgah]

Was there unburnt powder all over the place? If not, you left out the powder. If so, you've got some bad powder, most likely. It is also possible, though less likely, that you got a really lousy crimp, insufficient case resizing, or both. You did size your cases first and crimp after seating the bullets, right?

 

[m1gunner]

Grease needs to be completely removed before priming and charging the case with powder.

Most pistol dies come with a carbide sizer, no lube needed.

If you must use lube, get one that won't contaminate the powder (lee makes it as well as many other reloading suppliers).

Also, revolver loads should be crimped. Aids ignition and prevents bullet pull during recoil.

 

[rkjent]

yep, they were sized and crimped. I have some i have not fired. I will pull the bullets and see. you have me doubting that I did put the powder in.

thanks.

 

[buck460XVR]

I figure i have either bad powered, bad primers or the wrong size powder scoop in the kit. (bought kit used)



rj

I'd double check the scoop. Unique ignites easily even when used with little or no crimp. It also works well with reduced loads. It's also very bulky.......using the scoop for another denser powder could give you an light charge. Was it a first round in the cylinder or the last? What kind of crimp? Could be a combination of a light charge and the bullets moving out of the case from recoil. 38's shot in a .357 cylinder could move a long ways without hanging up. You did use a legitimate case lube , and not WD40, right?

 

[J. Galt]

0.3 dipper = 2.7 gr Unique, which would be a pretty weak load. A 0.5 dipper = 4.6 gr Unique, which should be a safe load for a 110-150 gr JHP. What bullet weight and what dipper did you use?

 

[Skip Sackett]

OK, Thanks and here is another question. What is the scoop size in cc?

Reason being, and I could be wrong about this, the scoop that comes with a set of Lee 38spl dies is made for Bullseye powder. If you used it with Unique, with a jacketed bullet, you may not have had enough of it to make the bullet exit the barrel.

Another question. Did the bullet get stuck in the forcing cone/cylinder area or further down the barrel?

Confession is good for the soul, so they say, so here goes. I know that a bullet with only a primer charge behind it stops at the forcing cone and locks up the cylinder, from experience. You aren't the first to mess things up!

Let's make sure it doesn't happen again though!

The Lee scoops are notoriously light on powder weight. As has been mentioned, buy a scale. Check your lot of powder with the scoops. I'd almost bet (not a betting man though) that your charge is somewhere in the 2-3gr area. Not enough to get a bullet out of a barrel if it is a jacketed one!

 

[rkjent]

It is a 4" barrel, the bullet was about 1/2 the way down.

I opened a few of the other cases. They all have powder.

I think the scoop is the problem. It is marked as 020, which i think is about 2.5 - 3.0 grains of powder, and I stayed on the light side. Meaning very slightly less than a full scoop. Unique's web site recomends 5.7 grs. for a 125 grain bullet. I think I need to buy a scale.

 

[rkjent]

Thanks guys, we may have solved this one. As my high school teacher used to say, "There is no teacher more dear than experience."

 

[ddixie884]

I think you are on the right track Skip, jacketed bullet, less than 3grs Unique. Thats not enough to clear the barrel. I would suggest a lead bullet and Bullseye with that scoop.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Thanks dixie.

Kent,
Here is a link to the measure's information. http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/Dippers.pdf. You find the dipper you have and then the powder. According to what you have said, a .3cc is only 2.7gr which is WAY below the minimum charge weight for Unique and the caliber/bullet combination you said you have. Than information can be found here: Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

Glad to be of assistance!

 

[Jellybean]

It is marked as 020...

The "020" system is long gone and I've never been able to find a good conversion chart to the current .CC measuring system.

The first question is, did you get a powder chart included with your classic loader? And if so, does it list charges for the "020" dipper or does it list charges for a dipper marked in .CCs?

I'm afraid the only older Lee Custom Engineering/Mequon Reloading Corp. dippers I have on hand is a 039, and it's supposed to throw 5.9 grains of Unique.

 

[ddixie884]

Lee charge table

I have that charge table. Here it is. Skip, I think this member should just try lead bullets, at least until he gets some experience. Just for fun, I loaded some +P .38s with my lee loader. I used weighed charges of 2400, and new Starline 38spl+P brass with commercial cast 160gr bullets. The simple Lee Loader made quite acceptable ammo.