38.spl And .357 Mag Issues.

[robhic]

Just curious, when you backed out your RCBS seater die body, did you then lower the seating stem to compensate for the change??

(pardon the question, but I didn't see where you said you did)

Yes, I compensated for the die move by lowering the seat plug. I think I mentioned it in another response but it could have been missed. I did as the Lee die instructs: Seat the bullet as per normal and do NOT start a crimp if the die is a seat/crimp die (which my RCBS is...).

I set it to just touch the case mouth to remove the flare and locked it. I then put the Lee die in and set it as per instructions. It crimps ONLY so length is done and set in the seater die, which is 'zactly how I did it. I've read here about bullets (especially magnum and such) getting jolted forward enough to jam the cylinder. I plan to crimp ALL revolver bullets just to be sure....

The OAL was above SAMMI max but more than a few here straightened me out on that concern. I made some today using a 135gr RN Bayou bullet. I got it to the length of the charge hole and used the LEE die.

Came out pretty nice, if I do say so myself! Longer than SAMMI but fits the cylinder. Thanks to all who got me feeling better about exceeding SAMMI slightly.

 

[robhic]

My point-- never was I saying "hey, that ain't no .38 slug!"
What I do mean is... Bayou seems to have used a very obvious mold typical for an outrageously popular 9mm slug and they have sized it larger and are marketing it for sale as a .38 bullet. For sure, it can be made to work.

That bullet is a cast bullet, the mold for which was wholly designed to be a typical lubed bullet. Bayou, however, doesn't lube bullets and they don't offer lubed bullets. Bayou uses newer "technology" and they powder coat the bullet. With the powder coating... lube is not needed.

Others made that point, too. I have been going on the fact that a groove in the bullet is the place to make a crimp. I appreciate your time hitting that issue again! Now I have a bit more info to file away for the future. I had never considered that the groove was an empty lube-groove. Good to know this and thanks.

Bayou is about 15 miles up the highway from me so I go pick mine up from them (saves the $7.00 shipping). Next trip I'm gonna talk to Dennis (I believe is the owner). I did know they needed no lube due to the coating but never once thought about why the bullet had a groove - which I took to be a cannelure. Now I know and thanks!

 

[jetav8r]

I also use a lot of Bayou Bullets and like them all. For 38 SPL and 357Mag I like their 158 gr SWC. This bullet has both a lube groove and a crimp groove. The lube groove channel walls are both at 90° to the groove and the crimp groove has one wall at 90° and one about 45°. When you get to their shop you will be able to see the difference. I have used the FCD on this bullet with no problems. It produced a very nice roll crimp into the crimp groove and they performed very well out of my GP100.