hmmm used to seeing coke bottle 9mm but 38 super?

[Mat Price]

Using a lee undersize die to size my super brass and it looks like my 9 major rounds with the coke bottle look. Is this common in super also? I thought it only did this with taper cases? First time i am loading super.

[GrumpyOne]

Should do it with all cases. Does it to my super.

[noylj]

You said you were using an undersized sizer. That is the same as a tapered case. Coke bottle isn't so much due to tapered case, as it from sizing the case more than needed and then expanding back up--any straightwall case will do it.

The only negative I have about the wasp waist is if the expander doesn't increase the case ID enough, you can swage a lead bullet down or form a bulge on one side of the case--leading to inaccuracy or failure to chamber.

[theycallmeingot]

in my experience, if you're shooting minor 38 super loads, the undersize die is not necessary. Maybe even less necessary with major loads, because they've presumeably been fired in a gun with a supported chamber.

i could be wrong, but i would think unnecessarily undersizing your brass would reduce the life of them. Which doesn't seem to be very long for 38 super cases.

PS. i've only every shot/reloaded minor 38 super loads. i don't know anything about major loads and how much cases may bulge.

[GrumpyOne]

in my experience, if you're shooting minor 38 super loads, the undersize die is not necessary. Maybe even less necessary with major loads, because they've presumeably been fired in a gun with a supported chamber.

i could be wrong, but i would think unnecessarily undersizing your brass would reduce the life of them. Which doesn't seem to be very long for 38 super cases.

PS. i've only every shot/reloaded minor 38 super loads. i don't know anything about major loads and how much cases may bulge.

I've got 38super cases loaded to major at least 12 times, probably more, with no issues.

[CocoBolo]

I reload 38SC till they split. That is probably more than 20 times. I tried the U-die didn't do the job, I use a CasePro it puts them back in shape just like factory. But the idea that it tightens the primer pocket is pur myth. If you load some and put them in a plastic bag and shake them if the primers fall out time to go in the salvage bucket.

Tha U-die worked me way too hard, the brass didn't work up a sweat.

[theycallmeingot]

I reload 38SC till they split. That is probably more than 20 times. I tried the U-die didn't do the job, I use a CasePro it puts them back in shape just like factory. But the idea that it tightens the primer pocket is pur myth. If you load some and put them in a plastic bag and shake them if the primers fall out time to go in the salvage bucket.

Tha U-die worked me way too hard, the brass didn't work up a sweat.

no krazy glue?

[Chris iliff]

i could be wrong, but i would think unnecessarily undersizing your brass would reduce the life of them. Which doesn't seem to be very long for 38 super cases.

I shot 38 super in my open gun for several years. I ran all cases thru a U die. No noticeable wear. I re used my brass, and frankly, quit counting the # of times it was reloaded. I know it was way over 15 reloads shooting 175pf. I shot it until it split. You are going to lose it faster than you'll wear it out IMHO.

I Udie'd for reliability reasons. I wanted every round to feed, every time.......and it did. I set up a single stage press with the Udie. From there straight to the case feeder, the 650 ran like BUTTER.

Edited May 17, 2012 by Chris iliff

[Mat Price]

i could be wrong, but i would think unnecessarily undersizing your brass would reduce the life of them. Which doesn't seem to be very long for 38 super cases.

I shot 38 super in my open gun for several years. I ran all cases thru a U die. No noticeable wear. I re used my brass, and frankly, quit counting the # of times it was reloaded. I know it was way over 15 reloads shooting 175pf. I shot it until it split. You are going to lose it faster than you'll wear it out IMHO.

I Udie'd for reliability reasons. I wanted every round to feed, every time.......and it did.

Thats why I use the u die I just always have for everything. especially when I shot limited to get that 40 glock bulge out.Just didnt think they would coke bottle so much in super lol. will find out tomorrow if they run ok

[Steve RA]

One advantage to the "coke bottle" shape is that it will resist bullet setback better than if the case walls are straight. Generally speaking, it is somewhat desirable.

[aztecdriver]

One advantage to the "coke bottle" shape is that it will resist bullet setback better than if the case walls are straight. Generally speaking, it is somewhat desirable.

THIS. I just started loading 38 SC and set my press up the same way I did for 9MM, 40 and 45. I'm not worried about the bulging, I never want setback issues and the udie, to me, is the most consistent way to do so.