Mangled brass mystery

[vmwerks]

I've been loading up some .38 using new Starline brass and Ranier 158gr JRN bullets. I'm using a minimal bell - just enough to start the bullet. I ended up with these after running abotu 160 rounds thorugh a Dillon 650.

[Capt.Dunsel]

How loose is the shell holder ? looks like they maybe going in a little off into the seating die.

[vmwerks]

I cut 1 coil off the shell holder detent spring but it's snug via the center bolt. I guess the only place for it to occur os the seating die - I don't ever feel that it is overly difficult to work the handle though.

[bohoki]

going too fast

[BigBronco]

Looks as it the die crimped before the bullet was finished seating. Try lightening the crimp a bit. Wait no these are FMJ RN correct with no canalure for the crimp. You need to not crimp but merely remove the bell. Or use a Lee factory crimp die or a taper crimp.

[Dark Mod]

I used to do this all the time when i was seating .357 magnum, The problem was too much crimp. I had trouble setting the bullet depth and keeping the crimp consistant, i just backed the die all the way out so it just removes the flare.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I've done it too....

Pretty sure that the crimp is your culprit.

[vmwerks]

The Dillon 650 uses a separate crimp die. I do watch the rounds as they make their way through the system. The ponly plae where they disappear is when they drop clear of teh crimp die and fall into the tray.

When I was setting up the crimp die I measured the cartridge in a few places then at the end. It's about .002 larger than the other measurements. Also I am not lubing the brass since it's new.. the process is smooth if I wipe the bell die every 10 or 15 rounds. The new brass leaves alot ot material around my turret, maybe I need to lube too?

I'll back out my crimp and see if I am able to maintain the same measurement with less crimp.

Thanks guys!

[kurac]

It looks like the shells are going into the die at a slight angle thus causing the what looks like a severe rub mark, unless its a bulge in which case the problem is too much crimp.

[Sheldon]

It looks like the cases were not aligned with the die or it could also be too much crimp. Are the locator buttons the correct size for the .38 Special? Is the shellplate the correct size for the .38 Special? Is that damage being done on the seating station?

[ojisan]

Too much crimp too early.
The bullet is getting pinched to the case before it has reached the correct seating depth...so the case buckles or bends as it is the weakest part.

This is yet another reason to crimp as a seperate operation whenever possible.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

The other thing that I've seen cause this is not enough expansion. Probably not the case with a dillon, though...

[Revoman]

It looks like the cases were not aligned with the die or it could also be too much crimp. Are the locator buttons the correct size for the .38 Special? Is the shellplate the correct size for the .38 Special? Is that damage being done on the seating station?

^^^^This

[vmwerks]

I took the cartridges apart - I was over crimping. There were deep grooves in the bullets. I also began lubing the cases per another thread I started. I just ran other 150 or so and they are all fine now.... Fingers crossed!

[buffybuster]

Too much crimp.