Author Topic: FIREFORM 38/55 BRASS (Read 461 times)

missed_shot · « **on:** May 25, 2005, 05:30:03 AM »

My 38/55 new brass is too tight . After the first firing, they seat the bullet better. Does it make sense to fireform the cases using the same method as fireforming 30-30 cases into 375 cased. Powder and some paper no bullet ?

handirifle · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2005, 09:04:24 AM »

When you say too tight, I assume you mean to seat the bullet. Otherwise I'm confused.

If the above is true, Then your expander die (on Lee dies it is the one with the powder opening on top) might need to be adjusted. It should expand the case mouth plenty to get the bullet in. If my 375 or 45-70 dies were adjusted too much, I could just about drop it inside the case.

for some type of shooting (cast lead for example) that is about ideal, the very loose neck part.

missed_shot · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2005, 11:44:34 AM »

Sorry, I'll try to be more specific.I'm talking about the bulge I get when I load the bullet. Fireforming with the small amount af powder and some tissue inplace of a bullet would save on used bullets as well as powder. Does that make any sense ??

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2005, 01:48:35 PM »

Fire forming won't help that. When you resize the case you'll take that right back out, The bulge dosn't hurt but it can be a problem to chamber.

Look for some of the other .38-55 post, You'll find a lot about them thru the last couple of months.

missed_shot · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2005, 02:25:20 PM »

I was thinking of not resizing. The brass will still chamber if I don't resize. Any thoughts??

JPH45 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2005, 03:23:35 PM »

When ever you size a case and then shoot it, you are fire forming it. You are correct in not resizing it. The chamber of the NEF 38-55 is such that 379-380 bullets don't need resizing, at least at 38-55 pressure levels. Don't resize, just run the case into the expanding die to bell the case mouth, load and then runt he case into the sizing die, but only enough to get the case to chamber. Turning the die into the press 1.5 -2 turns is enough. More than 2 turns is too much.