Shaved Lead????

JimmyBCool · April 18, 1999, 07:57 PM

Hi,

I'm a new reloader using a Dillon 550B press. So far with .45 ACP it had been pretty easy. But I am setting up to make some .357 Magnum and having a problem.

If I bell the mouth of the cases too much, the bullet is pushed all the way into the case. If I bell it less, sometimes the lead bullets I'm using shed a small bit of lead where the edge of the case shaves it off. The tighter mode seems to make better ammo (looking at it, haven't shot any yet), and the crimp is real tight.

Is this shaving of lead unusual?

James

zot · April 18, 1999, 08:36 PM

there must be a setting on your flaring that
opens the mouth just enough, my cases are only
flared at the mouth, I'd still have trouble
pushing them in all the way by hand,I did have a Lyman flaring die that I couldn't
lower enough to flare cases, I had to cut
1/4 inch off bottom of die so I could lower it farther, you'll get piss poor accuracy if
your bullets keep getting shaved, its a mess
too after awhile you'll have a pile of lead and lube, one thing with .357s is they will
stretch even after one shot with mag loads,
and even new brass can be different lengths,
it sounds to me like your cases aren't all
the same length, if they aren't some will be
over flared while some will shave your cases

JimmyBCool · April 18, 1999, 08:49 PM

zot,

You mi9ght be on to something about case length. I'm going to experiment more with the setting for the second die (flaring and powder). Maybe there is a perfect setting. I hope so. I could actually push bullets all the way into the case with a finger at one point.\

James

JimK · April 19, 1999, 10:45 AM

Check the actual diameter of your bullets and the diameter of your expander plug for compatibility. Lead bullets can be had in varying diameters to be compatable with true bore size.
Jim

April 18, 1999, 07:57 PM	#1
JimmyBCool Member Join Date: March 27, 1999 Location: Cave Creek Arizona Posts: 47	Hi, I'm a new reloader using a Dillon 550B press. So far with .45 ACP it had been pretty easy. But I am setting up to make some .357 Magnum and having a problem. If I bell the mouth of the cases too much, the bullet is pushed all the way into the case. If I bell it less, sometimes the lead bullets I'm using shed a small bit of lead where the edge of the case shaves it off. The tighter mode seems to make better ammo (looking at it, haven't shot any yet), and the crimp is real tight. Is this shaving of lead unusual? James

April 18, 1999, 08:36 PM	#2
zot Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 1999 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 566	there must be a setting on your flaring that opens the mouth just enough, my cases are only flared at the mouth, I'd still have trouble pushing them in all the way by hand,I did have a Lyman flaring die that I couldn't lower enough to flare cases, I had to cut 1/4 inch off bottom of die so I could lower it farther, you'll get piss poor accuracy if your bullets keep getting shaved, its a mess too after awhile you'll have a pile of lead and lube, one thing with .357s is they will stretch even after one shot with mag loads, and even new brass can be different lengths, it sounds to me like your cases aren't all the same length, if they aren't some will be over flared while some will shave your cases

April 18, 1999, 08:49 PM	#3
JimmyBCool Member Join Date: March 27, 1999 Location: Cave Creek Arizona Posts: 47	zot, You mi9ght be on to something about case length. I'm going to experiment more with the setting for the second die (flaring and powder). Maybe there is a perfect setting. I hope so. I could actually push bullets all the way into the case with a finger at one point.\ James

April 19, 1999, 10:45 AM	#4
JimK Junior Member Join Date: April 18, 1999 Location: mi Posts: 9	Check the actual diameter of your bullets and the diameter of your expander plug for compatibility. Lead bullets can be had in varying diameters to be compatable with true bore size. Jim