Ring on 38 Special Brass

[Cokeman]

What is this ring on once fired brass? Was it a second crimp to hold the bullet in place better?

 

[entropy]

Yes it is a seating crimp/cannelure.

 

[fxvr5]

It's a cannelure. Google it.

 

[Cokeman]

It won’t cause problems with reloading?

 

[DocRock]

It won’t cause problems with reloading?

None whatsoever.

 

[Ruger 15151]

I'm guessing that was originally factory loaded with a HBWC? If so, that is actually brass made for wad cutters. Sometimes there is actually 2 cannelures on the side of the case. Wadcutter brass has a thinner case wall so the soft wad cutter isn't swagged down as its seated in the case. The cannelure prevents bullet setback

The bullseye shooters hunt for this brass because the only way they are able to get it is by firing factory loaded wadcutters.

 

[fxvr5]

I'm guessing that was originally factory loaded with a HBWC? If so, that is actually brass made for wad cutters. Sometimes there is actually 2 cannelures on the side of the case. Wadcutter brass has a thinner case wall so the soft wad cutter isn't swagged down as its seated in the case. The cannelure prevents bullet setback

First, it does not mean that. Some factory ammo has wadcutters and no cannelure. And some factory ammo has cannelures and no wadcutter bullets. Remington HBWC ammo does have two cannelures. One can google it.

The bullseye shooters hunt for this brass because the only way they are able to get it is by firing factory loaded semi-wagcutters.

Semi-wadcutters are NOT wadcutters. The only way to know for sure is to shoot ammo loaded with wadcutters, and depending on the source, it might or might not be special brass.

 

[Ruger 15151]

Deleted

 

[buck460XVR]

First, it does not mean that. Some factory ammo has wadcutters and no cannelure. And some factory ammo has cannelures and no wadcutter bullets. Remington HBWC ammo does have two cannelures. One can google it.



Semi-wadcutters are NOT wadcutters. The only way to know for sure is to shoot ammo loaded with wadcutters, and depending on the source, it might or might not be special brass.

^^^This.

....as for the cannelure, once it has been fired, the pressure from firing and the resizing, will iron out most any affect the cannelure would have on reloaded ammo. Basically moot.

 

[Walkalong]

That is such a light cannelure it didn’t reallydo anything in the first place, and won’t affect anything when you reload it, you’ll see light ones, heavier ones, and in different spots on the case.

As a reloader, you can ignore them.

 

[rfwobbly]

Your using the brass, in combination with being run through the Sizing Die, will iron those out in no time. Ignore them.

 

[Reeferman]

I have a bunch of Federal cases that I bought new loaded with FMJ bullets that have the same cannelure.

 

[joneb]

The only reason I can see for a cannelure in the case of a 38 spl. at the base of the bullet is to prevent bullet set back. This a non issue for revolvers but could be a issue for lever action rifles or semi auto target pistols.

 

[Pat Riot]

Cannelures can cause problems after a number of reloads if you get brass separation in the chamber of a lever gun. In a revolver it is easier to get the brass “ring” out of the chamber in a cylinder. In a lever gun chamber it can be a real bear to get out.

I do not reuse cannelured brass. I give it away to those that will use it.

 

[film495]

I have some factory .38 Special that has marks like that half way down the case, figured it was just part of their manufacturing process of how the case was handled as the components were assembled to make it a live cartridge.

 

[JJFitch]

It's an artifact from machining the brass and spinning the case to distribute the priming mixture in the rim of the case head!

Read it on the internet!

Smiles,

P.S.

If nothing else the cannelure identifies the case as originally designed for HBWC. The Winchester case has a slightly thinner case mouth to facilitate the roll crimp at the case mouth which makes for smoother/faster reloads while shooting!

I have a zillion of these from years of shooing PPC Open Class Revolver! My Distinguished Revolver ammo was Winchester 158 grain LRN in nickel plated cases designed for smoother, faster reloads as well!

Reloading these cases should not require any special handling or steps.

Smiles,

 

[Walkalong]

Cannelures can cause problems after a number of reloads if you get brass separation in the chamber of a lever gun. In a revolver it is easier to get the brass “ring” out of the chamber in a cylinder. In a lever gun chamber it can be a real bear to get out.

Have you ever had it happen?

I have shot a boatload of rounds with cases that have cannelures and have never had an issue.

 

[Pat Riot]

Have you ever had it happen?

I have shot a boatload of rounds with cases that have cannelures and have never had an issue.

Yes, I have. Twice in a lever gun and once in a Vaquero. All three times the brass had been reloaded at least 4 times and all 3 times it was at a Cowboy Action match.

Getting the rings out of the rifle was quite hard.

 

[Walkalong]

The only .38s I have seen separate were over load. Interesting.

 

[Pat Riot]

I do not or did not shoot the wimp loads people call Cowboy Loads today. I also never load outside recommended pressures.
I think the rounds that got torn apart in the rifle were from multiple reloadings, a dirty chamber, fast cycling and this dude called Murphy that did his darnedest to keep me from shooting a clean match.

 

[Riomouse911]

I’ve had case mouth splits on older cases that got overworked from multiple reloadings, in fact I found two cases today... one with an easily seen case split on the mouth and one with a hairline on the outside and a dark line forming on the inside. Other than those occasional issues I’ve never had a case separation on a case with a cannelure either.

I did have a .22 LR lose the casehead and get stuck in my Ruger Mk II chamber, it took a TIGHT fitting patch on a jag to get that one out.

A partial case left in a lever gun chamber? I bet that was a PITA to fish out!

Stay safe.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Much ado about nothing, won't bother your reloads. I've been reloading .38 specials, .357 mags since 1975 or so, never even had one split on the crimp (channelure) groove. Reload and enjoy shooting them, or give them to someone else who will.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[Pat Riot]

or give them to someone else who will.

That’s what I do with my cannelured brass. I give it away.

Some CAS shooters will separate cannelured brass and only use it in revolvers. That is also a good option. I just prefer not to fuss with it and give it away.

 

[Master Blaster]

Mystery of the rings, yesterday I was reloading some .38 spl brass and remembered this thread. So I looked at the brass closely and I saw many different patterns mostly all on nickle plated brass from premium defense ammo. Here is a picture.
Purpose of the rings is certainly not crimping the bullet. My conclusion is that they are mostly decorative. Why I have nickle plated brass without the rings with the same headstamp. Most rings are in the wrong place to crimp the bullet.

 

[fxvr5]

My conclusion is that they are mostly decorative.

Nonsense!