Reloading 38spl

[gwpercle]

Check to see that you have just enough flare to let the bullet start into the case.
Start the bullet into the case mouth just as straight as you can possibly line it up. Cast lead , started with a lean to the right, left, forward or to the back will dig in and shave. Jacketed bullets are harder and will tolerate more "lean".
Seat the bullet in one step, with no crimp being applied. Next adjust the die to crimp only and crimp in a separate step.
Lead bullets are soft and must be seated and crimped carefully. Getting them started into the case so they will be straight helps a whole bunch.
Gary

 

[chief38]

I am reloading 38special for my smith model 19. I am loading for target shooting. I started with new star line brass and Mag tec 158 grain round nose bullets over 3.4 grains of hp38. My problem comes when I seat the bullet it shaves part of the lead around the rim of the case. I tried adjusting the flare but nothing seems to work. The bullets all chamber ok with no jams or hang ups. Is this normal using lead bullets? Should I try plated or jacketed? Any advice would be appreciated.

If adjusting the flare doesn't work, your Shell Plate might not be lining up correctly or your Dies may be askew. Your shell plate might also have excessive wobble (looseness) and allow cases to not line up with the dies correctly. Check press for alignment and call the manufacturer for suggestions. NEW and UNFiRED Starline Brass is a little tight until it's fired once - at least thats been my experience. Are you using oversized bullets?? I load 158 grain RNL and also use Titegroup powder but my diameter bullets are .357". They also come in .358" which might be adding to your dilemma. Check with calipers to confirm.

 

[Fishslayer]

I guess I should have mentioned I'm crimping in a separate step with the Lee Factory Crimp Dies.

Flare should be just enough to let a bullet sit atop the case without tipping over. Any more overworks the brass & will do zero to prevent shaving.

Cue the oldtimers that reloaded 60 brazillion round without a LFCD... Sure, and cars did fine with three on the tree, too. Non cannellured lead bullets is where the LFCD shines.

I had the same problem and solved it by backing out the seating die till it just about removed the flare and used the LFCD to finish the job. If you start seeing lots of brass slivers you need to either reduce the flare or take out more of the flare with the seating die.

Dies aren't set & forget. I need to adjust mine any time I change bullet or headstamp.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Flare should be just enough to let a bullet sit atop the case without tipping over. Any more overworks the brass & will do zero to prevent shaving.

Cue the oldtimers that reloaded 60 brazillion round without a LFCD... Sure, and cars did fine with three on the tree, too. Non cannellured lead bullets is where the LFCD shines.

I had the same problem and solved it by backing out the seating die till it just about removed the flare and used the LFCD to finish the job. If you start seeing lots of brass slivers you need to either reduce the flare or take out more of the flare with the seating die.

Dies aren't set & forget. I need to adjust mine any time I change bullet or headstamp.

Some good info here.

The old timers get cranky when you mention the LFCD so I avoid it. But now that you've said it there's no point in tip toeing around it.

I use one for all of my different cartridges. They're cheap and they work. I just use my SC die to seat. I crimp with a LFCD.

Because I use range brass with every imaginable stamp and length the SC die doesn't work real well.

If a person were to trim their brass and use one brand I'm sure the regular SC die could handle the job just fine but I don't.

If you really want to see the difference in range brass just run it through a LFCD. The friction and handle pressure will tell you range brass is all over the board in size.

 

[WmaximusD]

I'll deburr and slightly chamfer all new brass before I load it the first time.

 

[e3mrk]

Make sure You are using the correct diameter Bullet,Even though the Bullets may be the same caliber They could be a difference size. For instance a 45 cal.for a 1911 is .452 while a 45 cal.for a 45 long Colt is .454 even though they are both 45 cal. Bullets.