Reloads won't fit in Ruger Security Six

[Shooter Magaven]

Being a lifelong machinist/mechanic and reloading for 30 years, I find using a Lee FCD when a real problem is identified as offensive. To further your reloading expertise, find out why the rounds will not chamber! If you don't find a solution to this problem, what are you going to do the next time you have a problem? Alter your gun to fit your misshapen ammo?

IMO using an FCD is like having a nail in a tire, and just stopping by a gas station every five blocks, adding air. Don't remove the nail and patch the hole, just add more air! Your ammo doesn't fit. Why not fix it???

I agree with this ^
But moreover, how does a Lee FCD fix the problem? Is the problem the flare or roll crimp? I never saw where this was identified as the issue. Maybe you did and I just missed it

 

[bigsteve113]

Scrub those charge holes out real good and/or use the LEE Factory Crimp Die!

 

[Big Stick]

Mic the bullets.... and the OD of the loaded case at the crimp....

 

[chuck0291]

I had the same problem with my older J frame and my security six. They would stick out the back of the cylinder about an 1/8 to 3\16 inch. I bought the Lee FCD and solved the problem.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Using a FCD is not offensive in itself. But the first step is a micrometer, if you handload , you ought to have one anyway.. Measure everything. Umfired cases every location , fired cases likewise, bullets themselves.

There is strong group suspicion of chamber deposits from firing .38Spls . But could be chamber(s) or die(s) out of spec , or tolerence stacking. Complete Mic'ing will soon tell the story.

 

[scooter123]

There are those who thing the Lee FCD is the work of he Devil and those who feel the Lee FCD is a useful tool.

I happen to be one of the latter. Because I have actually checked with Micrometers and have found that second sizing ring insures that my cases are sized correctly to the SAAMI maximum case diameter. As for them reducing the size of bullets in a heavy walled case, I have a reflex sight equipped model 620 that from a rest I can routinely shoot 1.5 inch groups at 25 yards with and I have seen zero observable loss in accuracy from these "resized" bullets.

I also know that it was the Lee FCD that allowed me to "correct" some buckled 357 Magnums I had produced when I was experimenting with a combined Seat/Crimp setup using an RCBS die. That saved me from about an hours work breaking those buckled rounds down and all but one case looked perfect after fire forming.

 

[ironhead7544]

Tolerance stacking is a real problem with ammo. The fact is that you can get out of spec components.

I just bought some carry ammo for my M12-3. Some of it would not fit in the chambers and would hang up when used in speedloaders. I check all my carry ammo in each chamber before using. With the autoloader, I take the barrel out and use the plunk test.

I ran the new 38 Special ammo through the Lee Factory Crimp die and that fixed the problem. There was no discernable crimp on the lead HP bullets right out of the box. I checked some other ammo of the same type and they had a good crimp on them. The chambers on my M12-3 are tight and I am considering reaming them.

I use the Lee Factory Crimp die on all loads except match rifle. I dont need problems at the range. For revolvers that need oversized cast bullets, the LFC can be a problem as it will size the case to fit any factory chamber. If this is the case, then you can modify the die to suit the chambers.

If you look at the bullets Elmer Keith designed, you will see a good crimp groove. Elmer said this was because of tolerance stacking. The deep, tapered crimp groove would at least hold the bullet in the case.

With a small crimp groove it is easy to get a bulge which will keep the round from chambering. The LFC will smooth this out.

 

[johngalt]

When I first started reloading I bought some Oregon trail .358 148gr DE wad cutters. They must have been oversized, they wouldn't chamber in my 686. Followed the advice to run them through the lee factory crimp die. That solved the chambering issue, but accuracy was terrible.

I no longer buy Oregon trail bullets, there are much better choices out there.

 

[mikld]

I agree with this ^
But moreover, how does a Lee FCD fix the problem? Is the problem the flare or roll crimp? I never saw where this was identified as the issue. Maybe you did and I just missed it

An FCD, for handguns, fixes nothing. Any bulges or excessive flares are just covered up, ironed out. The problem still exists, just hidden...

 

[SMSgt]

My experience with the FCD is that it's a bandaid for mal-adjusted dies or some other reloader problem.

I had some issues when I first started reloading 45 ACPs and the FCD would ensure they chambered. When I finally took the time to correctly adjust my seating/crimping die (and it takes several adjustments to get teh proper results) the FCD was no longer needed. It can reduce the diameter of a lead bullet, causing accuracy problems.

 

[BruceM]

My experience with the FCD is that it's a bandaid for mal-adjusted dies or some other reloader problem.

+1+

Jeez, I don't know how I've survived 37 years of handloading without one. Actually, I do. I stepped back, measured and actually figured out what was causing the problem.

Bruce

 

[tomf52]

This isn't neurosurgery. Get a Lee FCD and be done with your headache.

 

[BruceM]

Get a Lee FCD and be done with your headache.

Yep, that approach is now the American Way.

Bruce

 

[Steve C]

The rounds will hang up about one quarter to one eighth inch from the base of the case in the Ruger.

S&W's have a more generous chamber size than some other revolvers. I test my .357 reloads in one of my Colts as their tolerances are much tighter and have a shorter cylinder length. If they pass in a Colt they will pass in any of my other revolvers.

I have had the problem described above and in all those occurances I've found that turning the sizing die down as far as possible to size closer to the base took care of the issue in subesequent loadings.

 

[BigBill]

I resize my brass then cut the length of the cases to the specs. Then there shouldn't be a problem.

Do you have a lead build up or lube build up from shooting leadcast in your cylinder?

I'd never sell the ruger it's the stronger DA revolver.

 

[shil]

Throating, perhaps? I had a similar issue with my Model 686 using 160 grain .358 LBT-style cast bullets (commercial). I applied some force to the uncooperative cartridges and found a slight groove impressed into the bullet ogives. I didn't want to jam them into the chambers and stopped there. I never had an issue with any other bullet. I regret that I didn't follow up and slug the chamber throats or confirm that the bullets were indeed .358. That box of bullets' whereabouts is now unknown; probably entombed somewhere in the garage.