Puggers Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 I've been loading my own .357 rounds for a few months now and haven't run into any issues until now. The following doesn't always happen but on say, about 3 out of 10 rounds, when I sink the bullet head, it's producing a second symmetrical "bulge" or kink in the case approximately 2 to 3 mm below where the head is seated. It's as if seating the head is causing a pressure wave further down the case. Does that make sense..............? It's only just started over the past week or two and I haven't adjusted the dyes or anything else and I wondered whether anyone had come across anything similar. I use a Lee Challenger and PPU cases. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stalker58 Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Put some pic's up of the cases...case lube could be building up in the dies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 I have when the seating die is set too low with a lee seating die and it's tring to crimp the bullet. If you don't have that groove (that I carnt spell lol )it just buckles the case. Are you using different bullets to normal ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Try using a Lyman M die as part of the seating process Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puggers Posted October 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 I have when the seating die is set too low with a lee seating die and it's tring to crimp the bullet. If you don't have that groove (that I carnt spell lol )it just buckles the case. Are you using different bullets to normal ? I thought about seeing whether I could adjust the seating die upwards so that it possibly reduced the pressure of the crimping by not seating the head as low by a gnat's c@ck. I'm using the same heads as always, same weight and from the same supplier. It's odd that it's just started. I have tried loading pictures too but struggling so will persevere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 (edited) Are they hard cast lead bullets from Tim Hannam by chance? If so they might need resizing before use. I cast my own have to resize them to .357 because the Lee mould is slightly larger.If i dont they buckle the case. Edited October 6, 2013 by Imperfection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 A way to eliminate this theory is to run the press with empty cases and see if it turns the lip inwards if not then back to the drawing board. All the best Karl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puggers Posted October 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 A way to eliminate this theory is to run the press with empty cases and see if it turns the lip inwards if not then back to the drawing board. All the best Karl. Will give that a go tomorrow and also may tinker with the die itself and run a few test cases. Imperfection - the heads came from Kranks. Not had issues with them when I've purchased before, but appreciate your comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 It may be worth giving underdog a pm as he runs a 357 see if he knows more about it All the best Karl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Have you trimmed the brass? U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clayduster Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 I have had this and the cause was powder through expander die was set too low causing the case to flare too wide. The bullet seater clips the side of the case causing the case to buckle then it slips over and seats the bullet. Do you notice the handle stopping when the bullet seater contacts the case? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puggers Posted October 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Do you notice the handle stopping when the bullet seater contacts the case? Occasionally, yes - I wondered whether I was using too much pressure on the downward stroke and so over forcing the head in. I've no idea why I would suddenly start doing this (if it's the cause) but it could be a combination of all the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 (edited) You have not answered my question Puggers! Yes you have sorry (having a bad night!). Can you measure the cases? If not can you make something to guage long from short cases to eliminate the possible cause? U. Edited October 8, 2013 by Underdog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clayduster Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Occasionally, yes - I wondered whether I was using too much pressure on the downward stroke and so over forcing the head in. I've no idea why I would suddenly start doing this (if it's the cause) but it could be a combination of all the above. That could be causing it, tab back a little on the powder through expander die to prevent it and make sure .you are consistent on the down ward stroke at each stage. If you put extra pressure on the occasional case it will pick up on the seater die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puggers Posted October 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 You have not answered my question Puggers! Yes you have sorry (having a bad night!). Can you measure the cases? If not can you make something to guage long from short cases to eliminate the possible cause? U. Cases when spent are coming in at 32.18 and when run through the dies before seating the head, are 32.30. I've run several cases through and this is the average across all using my digital callipers and having cross referenced them with a mate's pair and we're running the same numbers. As there are slight variances, this suggests as you say that there maybe some trimming needed so as to gain some consistency, but with the benefit of your experience, what would you expect a pre-headed and post-headed to measure out at? My loads are performing consistently and I'm happy with the improving performance they're giving me, but any edge you can offer, I'll take and learn from. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mereside Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 everything i have read regarding pistol/revolver brass is trimming is not needed would be interested to hear anyones thoughts as i am running a 357,atb wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted October 12, 2013 Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 everything i have read regarding pistol/revolver brass is trimming is not needed would be interested to hear anyones thoughts as i am running a 357,atb wayne I've never had to trim 357 brass because generally by the time that happens its started to split anyway.The only thing i do is anneal brass-Privi in particular because its inferior to say Starline or Magtec and splits much sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted October 12, 2013 Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 My Speer manual says max case length (ready for loading) 1,290" and trim too 1,280". The length if under max is not the issue...its if your seating die is set and along comes an unnoticed slightly longer case which then gets extra crimping. A trimmer would remove this possibility by uniforming the lengths. U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.