Originally Posted By: YoteAddictionAlright, I'm trying to load up .357 magnums, using Winchester brass, Rainier lead-safe 158 grain bullets, and lee dies. The first round I loaded I thought my seating die was also crimping, so I adjusted the die, and loaded another one, and adjusted and loaded another one, and adjusted and loaded another. Now I have three rounds that all appear crimped on a bullet with no crimp groove, despite following the instructions with the dies to avoid crimping. As I continued playing with the die adjustments (loaded three more) I noticed that I can actually see where the base of the bullet is through the case. The edge of the case mouth was very slightly bulged, and clearly indented into the bullet(no crimp groove)and there was a .002" difference between the outside diameter of the case where the seated bullet was, and the case below the bottom edge of the bullet. I took some measurements and first noticed the cases outside diameter (after full length sizing) was .374" and both my manuals and the info with the dies lists it as .379". Further inspection revealed the inside diameter of the case to be .353" and the bullets all measured in at .3565 (measured 10 of them). I don't think this seems alright (though I'm new to loading, so maybe it is) but it appears that the inside case dimensions are not big enough, and the the bullet is forcing the case wider. My three guesses are I'm doing something wrong, my full length sizer isn't working properly, or the brass is not the right size. Any ideas as to what the problem is?
Whew. This is gonna be a bit long....
1 - most loaders of revolver ammo seat in one die and then use a separate die to crimp. It is very difficult to get one die to do both (properly)... so you set the seater to put the bullet where you want it, then you crimp the amount you want - easy - and crimp only dies are cheap.
2 - "... and there was a .002" difference between the outside diameter of the case where the seated bullet was, and the case below the bottom edge of the bullet. "
This is normal - the case has to be smaller to hold the bullet tight. There is a die that has two sizing sections - the body get sized to "cosmetic normal", and the section that holds the bullet gets sized smaller to hold the bullet - can you spell "expensive"?? Just live with that 0.002" difference.
3 - "... was .374" and both my manuals and the info with the dies lists it as .379". "
This is within normal limits.
4 - "... Further inspection revealed the inside diameter of the case to be .353" and the bullets all measured in at .3565 (measured 10 of them). I don't think this seems alright (though I'm new to loading, so maybe it is) but it appears that the inside case dimensions are not big enough, and the the bullet is forcing the case wider."
This is also normal. The case mouth has to be smaller than the bullet, or it cannot hold the bullet in place.
5 - "My three guesses are I'm doing something wrong."
No, you are doing fine
6 - "... my full length sizer isn't working properly."
No, it is working fine
7 - "... or the brass is not the right size."
The brass is the right size
8 - Any ideas as to what the problem is?"
Yes, you are suffering an affliction common to new re-loaders. It is called "OCD". (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) - it is where everything must be perfect, and if it is not, we must worry about it.
OCD is very common with benchrest shooters
Handgun reloads (and rifle reloads to a lesser degree) look like reloads, they DON'T look like new, factory rounds - it is very difficult to get handgun reloads to look like factory loads. "Some" commercial reloaders can do it, but spend a lot of money on dies and technique to accomplish the task.
Get a separate crimping die, and enjoy the best indoor hobby you can have.
Meow
