md80captain

I compete to get good with revolver since a revolver is my carry gun of choice.

Yea I wondered since one is rimmed and one is not. I discovered that by leaving the retainer a little loose it allows the case freedom to ride in the shell plate and helps it line up with the mandrel. I still have to watch it and give it a hand once in awhile, but got through 150 rounds yesterday without crushing any more cases. If your using the 19S shellplate, it is designed for 9mm and 40. So letting it float is the right thing to do. I'll have to check that out. When I bought the press (a loadmaster) it was set up for .38/.357 so I just figured it had the correct shell plate installed.

Yea I wondered since one is rimmed and one is not. I discovered that by leaving the retainer a little loose it allows the case freedom to ride in the shell plate and helps it line up with the mandrel. I still have to watch it and give it a hand once in awhile, but got through 150 rounds yesterday without crushing any more cases.

Really, a .223 shell plate? I might have to try that.

Figured out the problem. There is enough slop in the shell plate to allow the case mouth to hit the edge of the mandrel on the way up. This was causing it to bend over and stick pretty bad on the way down ripping out chunks of metal as it went. The only real solution I can see for now is watching to make sure the case lines up with the mandrel before ramming it home. Perhaps a tighter fitting shell plate would be the ultimate solution.

Thanks for the input. .38 acp/super for .38 short colt? I've done a little more research and it appears the .38 s&w is the one usually included in the kit. I'm pretty perplexed right now.

Hello guys, just started trying to load 38SC. I purchased a Lee 3 die set for this purpose. I installed them per instructions and am having the following problem: When I start the ram down (leaving the die) it sticks badly and is actually ripping chunks of brass off the neck of the case. It appears that the brass is riding up the mandrel and this may be causing the problem. It is producing a minimum amount of flare on the case. The die is labeled "38 S&W" not .38 SC/LC. Could this be the problem? Does anyone have experience with this die set? BTW, I have been loading .357 mag on the same press with appropriate dies and never had a problem like this.