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4570mike
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38-55 Sizing Dies
Feb 14th, 2019 at 3:14pm
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Recently there was a thread about dimensional differences between various makers of reloading dies.
I have a Uberti HW in 38-55 (Ballard length) that has a 0.383" grove diameter. I had a mold made to correctly fit the bore and a friend made me an expanding plug to open up the sized cases so the bullets will seat properly.
My issue is I'm sizing the cases with RCBS dies and they are for bullets in the 0.376" to 0.379" range.  This works, however, I think it's over working the brass and the bulge from the bullet is very apparent.  Does anyone know of a sizing die made for a larger bullet?  I assume Uberti made their chamber and bore more like the original barrels and not the common 0.375" ones found today.
  
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RSW
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Re: 38-55 Sizing Dies
Reply #1 - Feb 14th, 2019 at 3:24pm
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4570mike
Why are you full length sizing for a single shot rifle? If you need to size at all, it should only be enough to provide some neck tension on the bullet. Try backing out your sizing die to the point where it reduces neck size just enough to give tension when seating bullets in your cases. Your cases will last a lot long that way.
  

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frnkeore
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Re: 38-55 Sizing Dies
Reply #2 - Feb 14th, 2019 at 4:06pm
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The modern size dies, can be a problem for the .380 groove.

They way they make them, is to size down, at least .005 below chamber size and then the expansion button, pulls the id of the neck up to about .002-3 below jacketed bullet size. So, in your case, the button will be about ~.373 and the die will be sizing the id to ~.370.

A suggestion is, if you can find a 375 Win die set, try it w/o the sizing button and see what you get. The 375 Win, has thicker brass and it may get you a little larger neck by ~.003.

And you'll need a button that's you bullet size or .001 under that. Remember the brass springs back about .001.

You can also use a "M" die and expand the necks, you won't get the bulge using it but, your still working the brass.

Frank
  

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4570mike
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Re: 38-55 Sizing Dies
Reply #3 - Feb 14th, 2019 at 4:28pm
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RSW wrote on Feb 14th, 2019 at 3:24pm:
4570mike
Why are you full length sizing for a single shot rifle? If you need to size at all, it should only be enough to provide some neck tension on the bullet. Try backing out your sizing die to the point where it reduces neck size just enough to give tension when seating bullets in your cases. Your cases will last a lot long that way.

Thanks, Randy.
That had crossed my mind.  Don't know why I didn't try it first.
Mike.
  
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boats
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Re: 38-55 Sizing Dies-
Reply #4 - Feb 14th, 2019 at 4:35pm
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I size my 38/55 Brass with a interchangable neck bushng die from CH4D. After sizing run the case in a Lyman M die that’s a slip fit, does not change the neck size at all, gives a very small flare to the neck that facilitates thumb starting the cast bullet. 

Seating the bullet adjust the seater to push the flare out. I can chamber without ironing out the flare but guns chamber is doing it anyway, might as well de - flare with some control .

You would think measuring the bullets Diamater, case wall thickness, then how much bullet pull you want you could calculate what neck size die to use. My experience is you can get close but some trial and error needed to come up with the correct neck bushing. Not enough pull your thumb can push a seated bullet down in the  case. No need for too much pull best get it just right. 

Using this  method and a 500 case lot of WW Brass since 1994. Sized 140 down to 32/40. 360 remaining 38/55 cases, less about a dozen lost one reason or another, are in good condition serving well. Have anealed and trimmed twice.  Be hard to figure exact firing per case count but it’s a lot.

Factory F/L set, no consideration my bullet chamber or bore size result would not have been as good. 

Could look at notes and give you exact bushing sizes, but my bore is .375 data not relivant to your outfit
P

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JS47
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Re: 38-55 Sizing Dies
Reply #5 - Feb 14th, 2019 at 8:53pm
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If you back the sizing die out far enough to give the correct neck tension you may find that the decapping pin won't take out the spent primer. The solution is to use a separate de-capper or a larger caliber sizing die (45-70?) to do the decapping.

JS
  
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ireload2
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Re: 38-55 Sizing Dies
Reply #6 - Feb 15th, 2019 at 12:56am
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You can get an adjustable barrel lap for about $10. Use it with a lapping compound to lap out a sizing die.

Here is how to lap your die.

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« Last Edit: Feb 15th, 2019 at 1:02am by ireload2 »  
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Yellowhouse
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Re: 38-55 Sizing Dies
Reply #7 - Feb 15th, 2019 at 9:47am
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I have a Uberti with the same barrel dimension.  I use a universal decapper die, an m die to bell, and a regular rcbs seater from the Cowboy die set which is a little more loose than some of these so call modern 38-55 aka 375 Win components and dies.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: 38-55 Sizing Dies
Reply #8 - Feb 15th, 2019 at 10:30am
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I do what Randy mentioned for my .38-55 loading. I either raise the dies to not fully size, or at least enough to only size them to fit the chamber, and bullet diameter. 
I also use the M die that Frank mentioned, but couldn't find the size I wanted, as Lyman's choices are not great. I bought a larger .40 caliber plug and turned it down to the .383" size I needed for my .38-55 Lyman sells the plugs very reasonably, and I often buy larger plugs to turn down. So I've got a few dozen plugs in a wood block, and just use two M die bodies in long and short lengths.
  

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4570mike
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Re: 38-55 Sizing Dies
Reply #9 - Feb 16th, 2019 at 10:21am
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marlinguy wrote on Feb 15th, 2019 at 10:30am:
I do what Randy mentioned for my .38-55 loading. I either raise the dies to not fully size, or at least enough to only size them to fit the chamber, and bullet diameter. 
I also use the M die that Frank mentioned, but couldn't find the size I wanted, as Lyman's choices are not great. I bought a larger .40 caliber plug and turned it down to the .383" size I needed for my .38-55 Lyman sells the plugs very reasonably, and I often buy larger plugs to turn down. So I've got a few dozen plugs in a wood block, and just use two M die bodies in long and short lengths.

I have an "M" die made by a friend that opens up the case correctly; I'll do the "back-out" fix first and see how that works.
Thanks!
Mike.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: 38-55 Sizing Dies
Reply #10 - Feb 16th, 2019 at 11:08am
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I have a pair of M die bodies in long and short that I bought used at a gun show many years ago. Someone milled the sides of the threaded body open so you can see the plug enter the case as you raise the ram. A very neat feature, and it makes it easier to open necks, or bell case mouths when you can view the plug. Too bad Lyman doesn't do this on all their M dies.
  

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calledflyer
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Re: 38-55 Sizing Dies
Reply #11 - Feb 16th, 2019 at 12:09pm
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Vall, it would be great if you were to post a photo of the die bodies so that those who would like to make a similar change in our own can see the amount of material removed. I have an image in my mind of the opening being oval-shaped and straight in, so as to leave the die as rigid as possible. Am I right, or way off here?
  
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