Author Topic: 1st Handloads  (Read 456 times)

Online FSTDoc

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1st Handloads
« on: July 01, 2009, 10:47:27 PM »
I just finished my first batch of handloads this evening. My first project is to work up a light practice load of .38 spl for revolver and carbine. I'm using Berry's 125gr FP plated bullets over HP38. It took me 2 1/2 hours just to work up that first batch of 20 rounds!
Here's the problem. When I drop those cartridges into the cylinder of my revolver, 4 out of the 20 require a little "encouragement" to fully seat in the cylinder. It's not the COL. They all measure out great at 1.455". They just seem a little...fat. I put a light roll crimp on them all. Most of them drop in like perfect. Four of them do not. Any ideas?
Chris

Offline Spiff

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Re: 1st Handloads
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2009, 10:50:24 PM »
Make sure your sizing die is adjusted properly, and make sure you have all the belling out of the mouth of the case. A real light crimp might not be enough.
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.  ~William Pitt

Offline Nomad

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Re: 1st Handloads
« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2009, 05:32:58 AM »
 Set your sizing die so when you bring up you case to the die the
handle has a slight cam lock to it, this way the case is full length sized.
 you can adjust your sizing die a little at a time so not to over adjust
the handle to the die.

Offline fj40mojo

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Re: 1st Handloads
« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2009, 08:27:39 AM »
Set your sizing die so when you bring up you case to the die the
handle has a slight cam lock to it, this way the case is full length sized.
 you can adjust your sizing die a little at a time so not to over adjust
the handle to the die.

My procedure for setting a sizing die:

(1)Bring the ram to it's highest point, full stroke, operating lever all the way down.  (2)Now, screw the seating die in until it is tight against the shell holder.  (3)Next, run a fired case into the die and with operating lever/ram in position (1) check to see if there is any day light between the mouth of the die and the shell holder.  (4)Readjust sizing die until there is zero clearance between the mouth of the die and the shell holder with a fired case in the shell holder.  (5)Set locking ring.

What you are doing here is adjusting the sizing die to account for all of the play in the linkage of your press.  As Nomad said, you'll feel the operating lever "cam over" when you reach that magic point, my procedure just provides you with a visual reference to help you get there.  This adjustment is imperative with straight walled cartridges because if you don't it can translate to a very subtle bulge near the base of the case which will lead to loaded rounds that need "some encouragement" to fully seat in the cylinder of your pistol.  Good luck and welcome to your new addiction. ;D
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Online FSTDoc

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Re: 1st Handloads
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2009, 11:27:45 AM »
That sounds like great advice. Thank you very much, guys. It took me a heck of a long time to crank these rounds out but I couldn't have been prouder when I saw the finished product. I can't wait to get out and fire them!

Norton1

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Re: 1st Handloads
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2009, 12:51:51 PM »
You'll get better at it. And yeah - nothing like bustin your own caps - ;D