full sizeing 380 cases

[emmie]

I'm full sizeing 380 cases and am getting a ripple of brass as I push case into die. this ripple is ironed out after case has been sized,but have never run into this befor in any other caliber.
the brass that this happens with,most of time has a bulge in one side of it. like 45acp brass that has no support at the base of the ramp. the 380 bulge is up about 1/2 way length of brass.
is this a weak spot,subject to rupture and sepperation? over worried?
all suggestions and info welcomed

thank you for your time-
emmie

 

[rcmodel]

Halfway up the brass sounds kinda excessive, but it's hard to say without a picture.

What kind of gun are you shooting them in?

How hot do you plan to load them?

rcmodel

 

[emmie]

brass is some 1 time fired,that I got from fellow board member. will be used in P3AT. looking to load midrange with bullseye-3.1-3.2 with a 95gr fmj for practice. this being bought used brass,I do not know history of it,other than reputation of seller.
not set up to do picture,and like you,have never seen bulge that high on brass

 

[RecoilRob]

Danger!! Danger Will Robinson! 3.1-3.2 is too hot with Bullseye. The Lyman 47th stops at 2.8 for full power load.

In the tiny 380 case, a tenth is a mile....especially with Bullseye. Be careful!

 

[janobles14]

dont know of anything that doesnt fully support a .380 case. if they are all like that then i would imagine they are ok when FL sized.

i would work up a couple of low power loads and look for signs that the case is failing.

 

[rcmodel]

The Kel-Tec P3AT, as well as Rugers copy of it, does not have a fully supported chamber.

The reason being, they are both locked-breach Browning short recoil designs, and the feed ramp cut extends into the chamber.

P3AT barrel with sectioned case in chamber:


I have not tried Bullseye in mine, but have tested and am using the following loads:
90 grain XTP - 3.3 grains Red-Dot, or Green-Dot.
100 grain Berry - 3.8 Unique.

All function perfectly in my P3AT, with no signs of brass bulging.

3.1-3.2 Bullseye with a 95gr FMJ should be perfectly fine, but you need to start out lower and work your way up to good functioning, then stop.
If you start getting possum-belly brass, back off!

rcmodel