Re-load Fix?

[BuzzardBilly]

I have a lot of long ago reloaded 41 Mag ammo.
It appears the cases have lengthed or the bullet has
Swelled, preventing the cylinder to turn.
Çan I safely re-seat the bullet lower in an already loaded case?

BILLY

 

[arjay]

If you know what they are loaded with ( did you load them?) and if the crimp isn't too heavy,but it's likely the case will collapse.

 

[Engineer1911]

Try one and see if it works.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Use a bullet puller, take them apart and start over. You don't know way they "grew". I would pitch the powder for the whole group of them, also check that you have the correct crimp. Ivan

 

[Aticus]

Do not seat the bullet deeper into the case unless the cartridge is longer than the over all length called for in a good reloading manual. Bullets are made from metal which won't absorb anything to make them swell over time. Cases will not lengthen over time. If they don't fit your chamber correctly the first thing I would do is see if the chambers are completely clean. At times dirt and crud will build up at the shoulder of the chamber and not allow the cartridge to seat all the way. If everything is clean then your only option is to pull the bullets, dump the powder, and resize the cases and load them again.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

The first thought that pops into my head on why they "grew" is that they might have been compressed loads that didn't have a strong enough crimp & the bullets have gotten pushed out by the powder, after sitting. You didn't say how long ago but if you stored them after they were loaded, they could have pushed the bullet out the next day & gone unnoticed until now.

If you didn't load them or aren't 100% positive in what powder was used (or it's been really long & stored in poor conditions), I'd pull them & start all over. If they weren't crimped hard enough they'll break down easily.

 

[BuzzardBilly]

Thanks men.
I personally loaded these over a year ago.
It is well used brass so I think the cases have expanded over time. Ì was thinking there might be a quick fix and discard the brass after firing.

B.

 

[sourdough44]

FWIW, I recently dismantled some 357 ammo I reloaded 20 years ago. I had almost 100 & didn't like the load, higher end 125 grn. I saved about everything, a few cases split during the reload, Rem brass.

I didn't want them around & have about everything else covered. I turned out some 38 spcl +p loads & mild 357 loads.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I personally loaded these over a year ago. It is well used brass so I think the cases have expanded over time.

Are the bullets now unseated outward with the cannelures exposed? Do you remember what powder & how many grains you loaded?

 

[Nevada Ed]

One year should not cause a load to go bad,even with a light crimp...............

1. Make sure the cylinders are clean all the way to where the case ends.
2. Then check the OAL for factory specs.
3. make sure the bullet has a crimp so the brass is not flared out.
4. make sure bullet and brass is clean.

5. if the bullet still does not fit in the cylinder you may not have resized the brass enough............ Gut you sizing die (of primer remover etc.)and run a lubed round into it, 1/2" and see if the bullet will now go all the way into the cylinder.

6. If you got to here , it is dismantle time............sorry.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

One year should not cause a load to go bad,even with a light crimp...............

I understand his original post to mean that the loaded cartridge is now too long, sticking out the end of the cylinder, & keeping the cylinder from turning. We know the brass case didn't grow but, depending on the gun/cylinder length (which he doesn't say) & it being a 41Mag, if they had a heavy load of slow burning compressed powder (which he doesn't say), with a light crimp, the bullets could have unseated extending the OAL causing the trbl. Just a theory.

 

[Titegroups]

High primers can drag on the recoil sheild depending on the gun. Personally I wouldnt use them if I didnt load them.