.356 Bullets In A 38 Case.

[10mmdave]

Trying to load up some 356 bullets in my 38 spcl cases, can't seem to get enough

"grip" on the bullet to keep it from pushing back into the case.

thought about a .380 sizer but being a tapered case I'm not sure.

9mm does not look good since the mouth specs at .380 where a 38/357

specs .379. Looked for 9x23 but couldn't find any cartridge dimensions

Any thoughts out there ??

[8shooter]

Dave, I only run .356 as I have both super and special.

I buy my lead in bulk and saves having to order bulk lots of 2 different sizes.

I use a roll crimp and just added a touch more crimp with the special cases to hold the projectile in place, I noticed it also helped with feeding into the cylinder on reloads as well.

I found the Lee crimp dies to be the best.

[8shooter]

.38/.357 Lee crimp dies I should add.

I use Dillion dies for the Super.

[scooterj]

"can't seem to get enough

"grip" on the bullet to keep it from pushing back into the case"

Is this "while" you are assembling the ammo or after the fact?

You may be able to back off the flare a little. Or chuck the powder funnel in a drill press and polish it with emery cloth.

[Mover480]

What brass are you using? If it's RP or it's been reloaded many times, it won't hold a .356 jacketed bullet because the case gets thin. Change to a different brass, like Starline, Fed, PMC or Winchester. Mic the wall thickness of your brass and you'll find the problem.

Also, what bullet are you using? If it's a Star bullet you'll have the same problem. Switch to Zero.

[revchuck]

Dave - Try using a 9mm expander. If you still need more grip, a .38 Super "U" sizer die would probably help. Also, the cartridge specs are maximums; .38 Super specs are .384 at the case mouth. Most folks taper crimp .38 Supers to ~.376-.377. If your bullets are designed for 9mm/.38 Super, I'd taper crimp them to the same dimension for a start.

[10mmdave]

Sorry folks, I should have given more info but was so frustrated searching for info

at 12:00 a.m. I just blurted out my problem.

Using Zero bullets. (124 RN .356 Dia.) (lead is not an option)

Using 9mm expander. (Dillon)

Using new and used Starline brass.

Tried Dillon taper crimp die.

Tried RCBS roll crimp die.

Tried no crimp at all

Tried as little case flare as possible.

Revchuck, where do I find that "U" sizing die ??

Anyone know of a company that makes "undersized" sizing dies ??

I could double size my cases also, using a 650 and I could size the whole case

with a 38/357 case at station 1 and then "neck" size at station 2 with the right die,

powder charge at 3, seat at 4, crimp at 5.

Powder charging at 3 is different but I have heard of it being done, have to finagle

a way to use that rod thingy.

That's all I can think of right now, any more thoughts out there ??

ps. just realized I didn't try my 38 super taper crimp die, used the std Dillion

"accucrimp" die and the RCBS, have to try the super crimp tonight.

[Patrick Sweeney]

Get a spare .38/.357 powder drop tube, and polish it down until you get enough grip to hold the bullet. I did it some years ago when I had 50,000 lead 150 grain Super bullets left when I switched to jacketed for Major, and couldn't let them go to waste.

As I recall, you'll have to polish it down about .003"

[10mmdave]

Get a spare .38/.357 powder drop tube, and polish it down until you get enough grip to hold the bullet. I did it some years ago when I had 50,000 lead 150 grain Super bullets left when I switched to jacketed for Major, and couldn't let them go to waste.

As I recall, you'll have to polish it down about .003"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'll look into that Mr. Sweeny, but since I'm only expanding with a .3555 powder drop tube I don't see that doing much. I don't believe the 9mm powder drop tube

in even expanding the case, just flaring the mouth.

What I truly need is get a smaller dia. sizing die (like the EGW U die), but I don't

see any of those out there.

Thought about using a .380 ACP crimp die, but being a tapered case I don't see

that working.

Thanks again

[pmd]

Dave,

Have you called EGW to see if they'd make you an undersized .38 special die?

fyi - I just got a 40S+W + 9mm "U" die from them - I have not used the 9mm die et so you are welcome to try it - LMK.

Paul

[revchuck]

Revchuck, where do I find that "U" sizing die ??

I believe Lee makes them for EGW, but I've heard (through "rumor control") that you can get them directly from Lee.

[10mmdave]

Revchuck, where do I find that "U" sizing die ??

I believe Lee makes them for EGW, but I've heard (through "rumor control") that you can get them directly from Lee.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks guys, I'll check on EGW and Lee.

I think I see the problem, my 38 super bullets seem to be tapered, the base or

heal measures .356 but move up the bullet and it gets less and less, best I can

tell they mike .355 just before the ogive.

Do 9mm bullets taper like that ?? (being that a 9mm is a tapered case)

Oh well, the 151's are straight and seat fine and crimp fine, but that's comparing

apples to oranges.

An undersized die couldn't hurt !

[10mmdave]

OH !?!?! I forgot, to give the rest of my info.

38 spcl cases being sized are running .355-352 I.D. (i should use pin gages and not calipers)

The 9mm powder die does not even enlarge the ID of the case, kinda rattles

around a abit.

With only .001 of a difference betwen case ID and bullet OD sounds like an

undersized sizing die would be good.

But I still think the bullet profile is not helping.

[George D]

Dave,

Have you sized your barrel and cylinders.? If they are larger in dia than these projectiles then your accuracy will suffer.

I once tried 356 dia in a tight barrel revolver but had trouble with the projectiles backing out of the case under recoil with higher velocities. A heavy roll crimp can distort the projectile so I eventually went back to larger dia projectiles.