Question about tightening moon clips?

[Kappy]

I have some .357 moon clips which won't seem to hold the rounds perfectly tight. Some cases won't come out without almost resorting to power tools. Meanwhile others will just fall right out. Sometimes both phenomena happen with the same clip.

Any ideas? These are Chiappa Rhino moon clips if that makes a difference.

[jon94520]

Thats just the way it is, if you want a tight perfect fit you have to experiment with different moon clip manufacturers and different brass until you find the perfect match.

[Kappy]

Thats just the way it is, if you want a tight perfect fit you have to experiment with different moon clip manufacturers and different brass until you find the perfect match.

I was worried that would be the answer. Damn. I'm not sure that any other companies make them for this gun. Plus, I kind of load any brass I can find.

[jdg30]

I was worried that would be the answer. Damn. I'm not sure that any other companies make them for this gun. Plus, I kind of load any brass I can find.

It's probably because you are loading all different brands of brass and they are all a little different in the diameter of the cases compared to each other. Each piece of brass you find and use has a different history. I bet that if you use new brass from one manufacturer, the differences will go away.

[jdg30]

I reload almost exclusively for normal shooting. I have all kinds of brass and they have a lot of variations. I have found Starline brass to be some of the best available for the price. Very consistent and high quality. I buy Starline brass for calibers I have a hard time collecting from the field. If I had a choice, I would use all Starline brass instead of mixed brass.

[Revoman]

For the most part Remington seems to be best when it comes to staying power in moonies.
Winchester is among the worst.

[Barbarosa]

There are basically two different sized clips for .38/357 - half the manufacturer brass takes one size, the other half takes the other size.

You either need both sized clips or stick to one type of brass.

http://www.tkcustom.com/cart/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=154

[bmk20398]

+1 TK Customs for tight fit clips

[IVC]

As others pointed out, it's about differences in brass. You cannot make it "nice and tight" unless you have consistency in cases.

It's like the "curse of fine-tuning" in general. Want the best possible trigger? You need to have very consistent primers, both hardness and seating. You can cheat a bit with longer firing pin, but the only way to get the minimal weight in trigger pull is to have high consistency of ammo. Want optimal recoil spring weight to protect the frame? You again need very consistent ammo. Too hot, it will slam the frame. Too mild, you'll have FTE.

So, in real world, you have a bit heavier trigger than the top guys, a bit heavier hammer spring, and, a bit loose rounds in the moon clips. Just realities of life...

[prod39]

( +1 TK Customs for tight fit clips )

Also, When I am reloading for revolver competition, I use NEW starline .38 brass.
Seems to have a tighter groove for the moon clips to grip.

For standard practice R/P and Federal cases are best.