Problems Loading .38 Special with 148 Wadcutter

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I have been loading .38 Special with wad cutters for quite some time. I am now using a Dillon 550B and have been getting peeled back mouths on the loaded rounds and other crushed case issues. I increased the amount of flare on the mouth to no avail. Loading Acme 148 "Lipstick" bullets.
Are wad cutters just more temperamental to load?

 

[Bocephus]

Never had that problem. Maybe the mouths are being belled too much?
And maybe consider separating the seating and crimping into two stages?
Best guesses in haste.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Never had that problem. Maybe the mouths are being belled too much?
And maybe consider separating the seating and crimping into two stages?
Best guesses in haste.

This is what I'm doing and I'm loading the exact same bullets in .357 with no trouble.

 

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I have a separate Lee crimp die on the last station.

 

[SSL]

At which stage are the problems appearing? Seating or crimping?

 

[noylj]

Your case ID below the flare, after expansion (not case mouth flare) should be 0.001" smaller than actual bullet diameter. If not, get a proper expansion insert.
If you are scrapping coating off at the case mouth, use MORE flare, push bullet into case so it stands straight, and get a seating stem that contacts the bullet around the shoulder and does NOT contact the center of the bullet at all. These things minimize damage to the bullet.
For Bullseye shooting in matches I would excessively flare the case so at least ⅓ of the bullet enters the case. I tried every variable I could, and not swaging down the bullet diameter, seating concentric to case, and using a Redding Profile Crimp die had the most effect on accuracy.
If shooting a plain old revolver, you may not see the significant accuracy increases of doing these things (from 2-4" at 50 yards to well under 2".

 

[centershot]

The problem was in the bullet seating. I, for some unknown reason, had an old C H bullet seating die in station three. I bought the loader used. I had a Dillon seating die so I put that in place of the C H. I believe the problem is solved. The C H seater punch contacted the entire top of the bullet. The Dillon contacts the circumference. I loaded about 100 rounds and they all came out just fine.
Thanks for the input.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Do you have the correct pins in the shell plate to centre the case? Just checkin'

 

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Yes. Thanks!

 

[stork]

Photo Escape - Powder Transfer Unit / Powder Funnel for 38 Special Wadcutter

I've been using his drop tubes for 10 years or more. They open up the case, just larger than bullet diameter for about a third of an inch. Bullet slides into the case about 1/2 way, keeps your bullet concentric with the case.
Al

 

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Photo Escape - Powder Transfer Unit / Powder Funnel for 38 Special Wadcutter

I've been using his drop tubes for 10 years or more. They open up the case, just larger than bullet diameter for about a third of an inch. Bullet slides into the case about 1/2 way, keeps your bullet concentric with the case.
Al

So this takes the place of the Dillon? Since that is all I load in the .38 Special, I think I will order one. Thanks for the tip!