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Old June 27, 2009, 11:59 AM   #1
jal5
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COL and 38 spl question

I am still somewhat new to reloading and I am trying to refine my technique for reloading 38spl and be more efficient in loading. Iam confused about COL. I load on a single stage press, using 158 gr. LSWC over Bullseye and cci primer, various headstamp brass. These will be for target shooting/plinking loads. I don't check the cases for length uniformity.

When seating the bullet I am trying to get 1.475 COL and out of 50 cases got:
33 between 1.475-1.476
12 between 1.478-1.479
5 between 1.472-1.474

What accounts for the range?
Does that small of a difference really affect accuracy at all?
Shooting out of a Model 66-2 S&W revolver 6".

I am trying to seat them all the same using the same pressure on the press handle, etc. The die is set correctly and tight in the press. This press does move slightly on the bench, I need to bolt it down better- does that make a difference?
I wound up correcting the ones that were off so that all are now in the 1.475-476 range but it takes a long time even to do just 50!
Thanks,
Joe
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Old June 27, 2009, 12:46 PM   #2
SQUAREKNOT
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Its not rocket science so throw out the third digit. Just be sure to crimp them
so the bullets don't back out of the case from recoil.
You do not have a problem!!
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Old June 27, 2009, 12:46 PM   #3
Archie
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What happens to me...

Is crud build up on the seating plug.

You are using cast or swaged lead bullets. Usually they are lubricated with grease of some type. Sometimes, one gets slivers of lead sheared off and jammed, along with the grease onto the seating plug - the part that actually pushes the bullet into place. Then some will fall out, or stick to a bullet. So the actual setting changes as you progress. Clean it out every twice in a while. Every couple hundred rounds or so.

There are two reasons for maintaining proper over all length. One is to make sure the loaded round functions through the mechanism. For a revolver, one wants to ensure the round is short enough to fit the cylinder without binding up on the forcing cone. (With auto pistols, it has to be short enough to fit the magazine, and long enough to negotiate the movement from magazine to chamber.)

The other reason is a too deeply seated bullet will minimize the burning chamber area, and that will increase pressure more than desired.

Having said that, With a fairly light load, a bit of variance will probably not be devastating. Just make sure the rounds fit the chamber. Nor will this amount of difference cause grave problems with accuracy.
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Old June 27, 2009, 01:05 PM   #4
zxcvbob
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Could be the seating die plug has the wrong nose profile. That doesn't matter with FMJ bullets but it does with cast or HP's with a soft nose. OTOH, the overall length is not critical in .38 Special. That's mostly a big deal for short high-pressure rounds like 9mm and .40SW, and maybe .357 Magnum *if* you are pushing the envelope.
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Old June 27, 2009, 01:55 PM   #5
jal5
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Thanks guys...I will check out the seating die for crud, etc. So the short story is that tiny of a difference is nothing to worry about in 38 spl.

thanks,
Joe
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