Advice for a rookie loading .38 Special

[David Jackson]

I would not be surprised if this is a very old question which I have not found. I am a rookie reloader and don't have a handle on how much crimp to put on the cases. Starting out with cast 158 gr round nose with 3.2 Bullseye.

Also, when adjusting for OAL I can not get it closer than about .002" to .004" of the specified length, it varies from cartridge to cartridge with some spot on 1.510". Since .38 is for a revolver I am guessing that a thou or two shorter than spec is best.

Any ideas or advice gratefully received.

[pennstater]

Medium crimp should work fine. I use the Lee factory crimp carbide die.
.38 spl is a nice, easy round to handload for. What's your revolver?

How are fixed for .38 spl cases?

MLC

[David Jackson]

I have two oldies but goodies, a S&W Model 49 and a S&W Model 10.
I have oodles of .38 cases, not sure how many but lots. I have quite a few bullets as well.
I am starting off with name brand bullets as I can find load specs for those, I have no name bullets I got from gun stores years ago. Will have to do some research to figure out loads.
When you say "Medium Crimp" that's great but I need some way to measure. Should the case diameter at the end be the same as halfway down the case or can it be a bit larger?
Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[FLIGHT762]

#1 most important advice is after dropping the powder into the case and before seating the bullets. Make a visual check with a flashlight into each case to be sure you didn't double charge the case.

I caught a double charge recently and I thought I was being really careful in charging the cases.

Really important when using powders like Bullseye.

[pennstater]

I have two oldies but goodies, a S&W Model 49 and a S&W Model 10.
I have oodles of .38 cases, not sure how many but lots. I have quite a few bullets as well.
I am starting off with name brand bullets as I can find load specs for those, I have no name bullets I got from gun stores years ago. Will have to do some research to figure out loads.
When you say "Medium Crimp" that's great but I need some way to measure. Should the case diameter at the end be the same as halfway down the case or can it be a bit larger?
Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

At the crimp is: .368"
Just below crimp: .375"
1/2-3/4 of the way down the case is: .375"
OAL using 158gr SWC: 1.455"
5.0gr Unique. Works wonderful in Ruger Blackhawk and Henry rifle.
Hope this helps.

MLC

[nedro]

How are you measuring OAL?
Are you using a comparator? Or are you measuring the tip of the bullet?

[pennstater]

Lazy way; flat of the bullet. I do that with all my handgun loads.

MLC

[nedro]

If op does it that way on cast bullets, it could easily cause a couple thousandths off between rounds.

[pennstater]

I don't believe a couple thousandths either way would make much difference.
Probably get that with jacketed at times also. In his two revolvers, I just don't see an issue. Certainly not trying to argue, it's just what I've seen over the years.

MLC

[bergmen]

Also (and this adds time and takes longer) I seat and crimp in two separate operations. I get cleaner crimps this way and consistent OAL.

Dan

[pennstater]

Also (and this adds time and takes longer) I seat and crimp in two separate operations. I get cleaner crimps this way and consistent OAL.

Dan

We have a bingo!^^^

MLC

[Imageview]

[sofbak]

So, what was wrong with your first thread on this subject? You got some very good info there...

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=25549148#post25549148

[David Jackson]

To Flight 762; thanks for tip about double charge! I have read about cartridge Black Powder origin. I use a progressive press so there is less danger of double I think, but I will keep an eye on it.
To Pennstater, thanks for the numbers! I have Unique but for some reason I have had a hard time getting uniform charges with it so switched to Bullseye and it is much better. Maybe I did something wrong in my machine set up; I loaded a few hundreds in .45ACP and had charge variations of up to .6 gr - I think those will be OK as I went for the middle of the charge range, but there is not that kind of flexibility in .38 special redipies I have found.
To Nedro, I am measuring with a digital dial caliper from cartridge base to bullet tip. I also measured the bullets themselves and was surprised at how uniform they are!
To Bergmen, The press I use (Dillon Square Deal) has seperate stages for bullet seating and crimping.
To Imageview and Penstater - I am taper crimping I believe. I read a formula, wonder what you all think: bullet OD + 2x cartridge case wall thickness minus 4 thousandths.

[hermosabeach]

For mild loads- basically no crimp

Hot loads need more crimp

If loading hot, do load development

Powder charge and crimp to be recorded

Bring calipers to range

Measure cartridge length
Load 5
Shoot 4
Unload the remaining round. Measure it
Has the bullet moved???

If the bullet has not moved - crimp is good or too much

No need to overwork brass with crimp
No need to deform the bullet with too much crimp.