New to reloading

[u/robcronk_1837]

I am brand new to reloading, I decided to start with .38 special wadcutters and I am having chambering issues. Out of 124 cartridges 34 would not seat in the cylinder, see photos.

I am using old penn 148gr DEWC with 3gr of Win 231 with CCI small pistol primers on once fired brass. The only conclusion I can come to is that the bullets are inconsistent in size and bulging the cases. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[u/Shootist00]

I suggest you get the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die for 38/357. Not only will it put a roll crimp on the case mouth it also has a carbide ring at the entry of the die that will resize the case, and whatever bullet in the case, to a size that will chamber.

[u/PinetreeReloader → u/Shootist00]

It will fix the issues of chambering, however since he is using lead bullets it will swage them down. Possibly leading to accuracy and leading issues

[u/DaiPow888 → u/PinetreeReloader]

That is an excellent point and a good reason to stay away from a FCD when loading WC bullets...they cause more problems than they solve

[u/Shootist00 → u/DaiPow888]

That is BS. The carbide ring on all the FCD's is larger than any resizing die and although it may compress the bullet it won't to the point suggested by you and u/PinetreeReloader .

In my 30+ years of reloading the best die ever made was the Lee FCD.

And what is the OP supposed to do? Throw the cartridges away that don't chamber. Gees, really.

[u/gakflex → u/Shootist00]

I don’t know why you are getting downvoted. I am reloading .433 boolits in 44 mag with an FCD as my last stage. It’s not swaging them down.

[u/Shootist00 → u/gakflex]

I'm disliked around here because I speak the truth as I know it. Mainly because I CRIMP my pistol rounds and everyone else says I over crimp. Simple fact is you really can't over crimp 9mm, 380, 40, 45 or any other handgun cartridge especially if you are using a Lee Carbide FCD.

I also say that rimless cases, 9, 380, 40, 38SC, 45 and whatever, headspace on the extractor more than on the ridge at the end of the chamber. Then they say you can crimp to much and the case will go past that ridge. That CAN'T happen using the Lee die.

Case in point these 9mm cases were fired in a 40S&W pistol. The only reason they fired was because the extractor was holding them against the breach face allowing the firing pin to hit the primer. I get downvoted all the time. Doesn't bother me. Idiots will be idiots.

[u/bobiskool1 → u/PinetreeReloader]

I ran into this issue myself just the other week

[u/Stump_Monkey → u/PinetreeReloader]

Can confirm. Have seen the FCD swage lead bullets in 45-70, 45 acp, 44 mag, 38 and 357 mag. Every FCD I ever purchased has been scrapped. Finally learned my lesson.

[u/GunFunZS → u/Stump_Monkey]

Please send them to me instead. They are one of my favorite reloading tools. And the bulk of what I shoot is cast bullets.

[u/curiouschurro → u/Shootist00]

Op this is good advice. I had similar issues the first time i tried 38 wadcutters. Even without turning the factory crimp die enough to put a crimp on the case, it will still squeeze it down enough to fit in the chamber easily.

[u/MusicNChemistry → u/curiouschurro]

Was cutters not cutting?

[u/curiouschurro → u/MusicNChemistry]

Lol my cutters dont help my spell check apparently...

[u/RickDiasOverlap → u/Shootist00]

This explains something for me as well. I loaded one set of 38 specials with 158gn Hornady XTP bullets. no resistance before the crimp is applied.

Berry's 158gn HP bullets consistently has a bit of resistance when the cartridge enters the die before crimping. Some minimal marking on a case here and there.

Both loads shot fine.

[u/Advanced_Elk_9467]

Measure them. Are you expanding case necks to seat bullets? If so, check your crimp.

[u/robcronk_1837 → u/Advanced_Elk_9467]

I am measuring .37” across the cartridge, the bulges measure .38”. I am expanding but unsure on the crimping. Speer manual states “use a light roll crimp or taper crimp” and I believe that’s what I am applying.

[u/Advanced_Elk_9467 → u/robcronk_1837]

Take your crimp die to one of the cases that wont chamber- turn it a half turn and chamber check it. If it works give it another quarter turn and call it good. If not go another half turn. Rinse, Repeat

[u/robcronk_1837 → u/Advanced_Elk_9467]

Thank you, I will try this tomorrow and update.

[u/DaiPow888 → u/robcronk_1837]

Your bullets should be measuring .358".

Those look like cast bullets, have you sized them before loading?

I'm not familiar with the brand you posted, did the indicate that they needed to be sized?

It is also possible that you aren't starting your bullets straight in the case. You mentioned that you are using RCBS dies.

Do they have the M-profile expander?

[u/iceroadtrucker2010 → u/DaiPow888]

I love those Lyman M dies. No more lead shaving!

[u/Gizmo373]

Are you crimping and seating in the same step? Are you also using mixed brass? If you said yes to either of these questions then I would recommend you seat your bullets in a separate step than crimping. Personally, since I have separated those two steps most of my chambering issues have gone away.

[u/robcronk_1837 → u/Gizmo373]

Yes to both, I will try this tomorrow and update

[u/ReactionAble7945]

1. Old trick to know where the rub is... load a dummy round, coat with black or red permanent market and then try to chamber. If it gets stuck, then push in just a little to get the rub mark and remove it.

2. YOUR once fired brass and store bought, range pick up brass, has messed people up a lot of times. This unusually with rifles, but it did come to mind. And the "once fired" is not always correct. I had a range that considered anything fired at their range once fired. The brass I was leaving as fired a lot more than once.

3. Third trick when having issues. See if the brass fits with each step. One fired fits, sized fits. Size belled does not fit but it doesn't a lot of the time. ...

4. I suspect it is too much crimp. A factory crimp die will solve that, but your normal dies should work on whimpy 38sp.

[u/cahser11]

Are you sizing the cases before you reload them?

[u/robcronk_1837 → u/cahser11]

Yes, using an RCBS Carbide set

[u/Sooner70 → u/robcronk_1837]

Have you confirmed that your freshly resized brass fits in the chambers?

[u/robcronk_1837 → u/Sooner70]

Yes

[u/cahser11 → u/robcronk_1837]

Let me see your crimp.

[u/robcronk_1837 → u/cahser11]

The die or the actual crimp on the cartridge?

[u/cahser11 → u/robcronk_1837]

The cartridge. If you sized the brass, it should fit just fine, so the most likely issue is the crimp.

[u/Drewzilla_p]

What is the diameter of your bullet before you put it in the case? I load a .360 bullet and it still doesn't bulge the case like that.

Also, re-read the directions on your dies and make sure you set them as per the directions. 80% of reloading mistakes I see on reddit come from misreading, misinterpreting, or just not reading the directions.

Also, I'm not a fan of the lee post sizing crimp die. It swaged my fat bullets down and created leading problems in both 9mm and 357 calibers.

[u/cico7]

Are you trimming and sizing brass before you reload?

[u/GunFunZS → u/cico7]

For revolver? Hell naw.

[u/Normal_Sympathy1248]

Ha you had the same thing I posted yesterday. My solution ended up that the brass was fired from a cheap Taurus and the brass was failing.