Reloading Caution from a newb More info added

158 GR. CAST LSWC Hodgdon Titegroup .358" 1.475" 3.2 815 11,500 CUP 3.8 920 15,400 CUP
158 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon Titegroup .357" 1.455" 3.5 704 12,400 CUP 3.9 798 15,900 CUP

m657;
This may be a bit off topic, but notice the MUCH greater performance with a cast lead bullet at the same or less pressure. Interesting, huh?!

That is nearly always a "true thing". I shoot nearly all home cast bullets for pleasure and hunting - that is just ONE of the reasons.

Dale53
 
You do seem to be having "Ignition Problems" from what you have stated. I'd take Dales advice and get yourself another batch of primers and some more powder, too. You didn't indicate what brand of primers you are using so that information might also be helpful in answering your questions and figuring out your problem.
 
Those should be good primers and that is pretty easy to tell if they are going bang. That leaves pretty much ONLY the powder as being in question and from your description it sounds like some of your cases might have become contaminated with lube or something.
 
I'm going to have to say, that in order to work properly with the load your using, your going to have to crimp to get a good burn.

I've been loading for 40 years, and I've run into this, and found crimp plays a big part in good performance.

Crimp those bullets in the crimp grove, and I'll bet they will fire normal.

Mag primers are not the problem.
 
I just loaded and shot 200rds of 38+P using Tightgroup powder and 140gr sierra JHC bullets. I used 4.5 grains of TG over a CCI 500 primer and had very good results. I crimped at the crimp line and a tight crimp. No problems if you use the crimp line for what it is meant for.
 
The only time I've had this happen was many years ago with a contaminated powder charge. Too much case lube using steel dies and the stamp pad type applicator.
4.2 gr. TG under 125 gr. plated bullet in 357mag brass is one of my standby loads. I don't crimp it at all, just remove the bevel; it works well.

I had several squibs when I first started using this load. Each time there was a squib, I would find unburned powder mixed with oil in the case. Here is how I think it happens. When you load, there is some lube spread on the walls of sizing die. That's normal but between reloading sessions this lube slowly settles down on the bottom of the die. Next time you start loading lube gets deposited into the first case you resize. I made a point of always checking first case for excess oil and would often find it there. Didn't have squibs after that.

This load seems to be particularly sensitive to lube contamination. Probably that's because there isn't much powder in the case to start with.

Mike
 

Latest posts

Back
Top