Lariatbob
Member
Hey, all. I searched quite a bit, couldn't find an answer.
I have been reloading for years now. Lots of calibers, rifle and pistol.
Last year started reloading .380. Have had great success.
I have found that while expanding the case mouths while resizing approx 10% of my brass will not expand. No matter what, it will crush the case and then it's trash.
I have tried reaming the brass, polishing the expander, lubing the case, etc. to no avail.
Then I found mention the other day of the case thickness "stepping" thicker just past the seating depth.
Sure enough, on the cases I have trouble with ( I have saved them for this discovery) there is definitely a step. I just thought it was residue that had not tumbled out. I see approx .05 step. If my expander just started expanding a bit earlier, I'd be ok. I get the same result using my 9mm expander so I know it's not a defective expander.
Anyway, now that I know what the problem is, what to do about it?
Do I just force the bullets in without expanding? Do I modify an expander so it doesn't enter the brass as deep before expanding?
Anyone else found a cure?
Thanks for your ideas.
LariatBob in Colorado.:banghead:
I have been reloading for years now. Lots of calibers, rifle and pistol.
Last year started reloading .380. Have had great success.
I have found that while expanding the case mouths while resizing approx 10% of my brass will not expand. No matter what, it will crush the case and then it's trash.
I have tried reaming the brass, polishing the expander, lubing the case, etc. to no avail.
Then I found mention the other day of the case thickness "stepping" thicker just past the seating depth.
Sure enough, on the cases I have trouble with ( I have saved them for this discovery) there is definitely a step. I just thought it was residue that had not tumbled out. I see approx .05 step. If my expander just started expanding a bit earlier, I'd be ok. I get the same result using my 9mm expander so I know it's not a defective expander.
Anyway, now that I know what the problem is, what to do about it?
Do I just force the bullets in without expanding? Do I modify an expander so it doesn't enter the brass as deep before expanding?
Anyone else found a cure?
Thanks for your ideas.
LariatBob in Colorado.:banghead: