[robertm]

I've just started loading a few 380 acp cartridges.

When I seat the bullet, where the bullet ends in the case its visible and theres a small wrinkle. I've also noticed this when loading other straightwall cartridges such as 45-70 govt, and 45 gap.

Any suggestions as to what I am doing incorrectly? It doesn't seem to affect them, just aggravating and I know I'm doing something not quite right.

thanks in advance,
Robert

 

[nonnieselman]

too much crimp??

i had some M1 Carbine do that when reloading.. back your seater die out a half turn and try it again..

 

[robertm]

I dont think too much crimp is the problem. reason I say that is because for the heck of it I just backed the seater die out as far as it could and still seat the bullet and it gave the same results.

 

[robertm]

I also just unloaded one, and ran the case back through the sizing die and it removed the wrinkle.

It looks like the bullet is larger than the case. Am I not flaring the case enough? I thought it was only supposed to flare the mouth but should it be flaring deep enough to seat the bullet without leaving a mark?

 

[captain-03]

...where the bullet ends in the case its visible and theres a small wrinkle.

Being able to see where the bullet ends is not uncommon. I find it a lot loading 45ACP. Some sizing dies for autos actually sizes the case down a good bit -- a good thing. It really helps to hold the bullet in the case without any or much of a crimp being needed.

As for the wringles - got me on this one ... wringles would not be a good thing in my view. I would think that the case diameter is small thus the bullet is pushing on the inside of the case causing the wringle ... Can you post a picture of the wringle?

 

[Doug Bowser]

Are you belling the case mouths enough? If not this could cause this problem. Inside neck chamfering may also help this problem, especially if using jacketed bullets.

Doug

 

[robertm]

<img src="http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq280/rdmccaffrey/b.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

 

[robertm]

There are the pics, thanks

 

[Doug Bowser]

Your photo shows the wrinkle at the bottom of the bullet. This could be due to the bullets being over .355" or the sizing die sizing the cases too much.

If they will chamber and shoot, go for it.

Doug

 

[robertm]

Just checked, according to my caliper they are .354

They will chamber, so I expect them to shoot ok. I've got to go to the range and check whether they will shoot.
thanks for the responses!!!!!

 

[jbpmidas]

Keep us updated! Some of us are new to reloading, too!

 

[Beladran]

are those hornady bullets?? I got shafted by hornady because the base of the bullets were to large which caused them not to fully go into battery

 

[robertm]

yes sir, the hornady xtp

 

[Beladran]

!!!!! I knew it!!! those SOB's their quality control has gone to freaking crap

 

[msredneck]

a common problem with .380

Looks like the tapered portion of the case is bulged...

groove diameters have been measured as small as 0.355 to as large as 0.362 in .380 such variation makes accuracy suck....just one more reason why I don't have one

Because of chamber restrictions it generally not safe to load larger than 0.355

long bullets of 0.355 diameter may cause bulging due to internal case taper

this is fine as long as the outside diameter of the case at the bulge does not exceed 0.374...

You said they were .354 but maybe not...double check em...its only .001 inch...but it matters..Hopefully you have a decent digital caliper properly zeroed

Bottom Line:
try a different style bullet

maybe Sub will come along and reply...He loads a sh!tload of .380 I'm sure

my :2c:

 

[captain-03]

If they chamber OK, give it a go ...