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Normal Topic Original Length 38-55 Brass (Read 2422 times)
cisco4029
Ex Member


Original Length 38-55 Brass
Mar 15th, 2005 at 8:20pm
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In a couple of months I will be getting my new CPA Silhouette Rifle in 38-55.  I am getting ready to load for it so ordered some brass.  I was informed to get the 38-55 original length brass.  I bought RCBS dies and sized 50 rounds.  I measured them before I sized them and they were slightly under 2.130.  After sizing they were 2.135.   Should I trim these to 2.130 or should they be trimmed to under 2.130?  Since these are straight wall, tapered cases I decided to lube them up with RCBS sizing lube and not worry about getting too much on them since they are straight walled.  Well, the first few did just fine, but after that they started coming out with dents all along the case wall.  I removed most of the lube and no problem after that.  I have never reloaded for anything like this so the learning process begins.  Also, when I decided to expand the case neck slightly I noticed that the expander leaves a bulge on one side of the case.  The case neck is slightly expanded just so a bullet will enter easily but below that there is a very visible bulge in the case.  I decided to loosen the die slightly and then run a case up into the die so it would center.  That did not help.  What I am I doing wrong here?  I hope to get all this sorted out before I receive the rifle.  I have not loaded any rounds as of yet.  I am just trying to get everything ready to do so.  Any help appreciated.  Thanks-
  
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PETE
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Re: Original Length 38-55 Brass
Reply #1 - Mar 15th, 2005 at 11:31pm
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Cisco,

  Sounds like you've got a bunch of original length cases if they're 2.135" after FL sizing. They should be trimmed to 2.118". But, new cases being made today only measure 2.085". so you need to call CPA up and see what length they recommend for their chambers. The shorter cases will work in original chambers so you don't have any worries there, but might cause slightly higher pressures if CPA is cutting their chambers for the new length.

  As you found out you don't want to use any more resizing lube than you would on any other case. The oil dents shouldn't be a problem and should be removed on firing.

  The visible bulge you see on one side of the case when expanding the neck is caused by the case being thin where you see the bulge. Manufacturing problem! It's not uncommon and no real cause for concern. There might be issues where extreme accuracy is wanted. Some SS shooters will mark their cases on the rim in line with this bulge and then orient the case into the chamber with the mark at the same o'clock position. You could also do like the bench rest shooters do and thin the necks so they're all the same thickness, but in this caliber itwould be overkill since you will probably never get the accuracy that would show the difference for having done so.

PETE
  
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Sky C.
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Re: Original Length 38-55 Brass
Reply #2 - Mar 24th, 2005 at 12:54pm
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Hello Cisco-

I had the same case bulging problem you note.  In my case - I was using an RCBS "Cowboy" die set and the .379" expander plug from that set.

I tried the .375" expander - no bulge.   
I tried a Lyman "M" die - no bulge.

I contacted RCBS & they had me send the die set back.  When it was returned - no more bulging when using the .379: expander.

FWIW.

Sky C.
  
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