Inattention to detail 38SPL

Well I cranked out 500 rounds of 38 SPL for my 52-2 the other day only checked the powder setting when I installed the 38 tool head.  Went to the range yesterday and the first round was not feeding from the mag.  Checked it out and found the Zero HBWCs were not flush with the brass.  I had noticed that when reloading but though that was how I had been seating them.  This left me with 3 choices, pull the bullets and start over.  Shoot them in my GP 100 or reseat them.  Well I am reseating them all as I don't shoot the GP 100 all that much.   Reseated a bunch and will try them off a sand bag today.  I am sure they will do for my 50 foot indoor practice.  Don

You might luck out since hbwc bullets. But for 45 they will shoot like crap!
Jon

You are not alone, luckily my Star only loads 25 in the tube at once. 
I ended up getting a giant wad of that graphite, wax lube crap from Remmington jambed up in the seater and ruined like 22 fresh loads. Pushed the bullet .020" down in the case by the time I discovered it.
I now look over every 10 rounds.

Well the range test proved what Jon said above.  It is just not 45 that turns to crap reseating them so does 38s.  POI moved up and to the right and the group at 20yds was around 2" off a rest.  Took about 15 rounds and the round would not chamber.  Lot of lead in the chamber.  It was not the brass had changed even a factory round would only drop into the barrel half way.  Looks like I got 700 rounds for the GP 100 and those 7yd targets.  The little I shoot that gun 700 rounds will out last me.  (poor trigger)  Don

On the other hand; if you burn up that 700 rounds while concentrating on trigger control with a long/heavy trigger, just think how well you'll do with a light clean trigger afterwards.

STEVE SAMELAK wrote:On the other hand; if you burn up that 700 rounds while concentrating on trigger control with a long/heavy trigger, just think how well you'll do with a light clean trigger afterwards.

Thanks Steve I guess all is not lost then.  After checking my inventory only 300 rounds are the reseated ones the rest were ok and the 52 barrel and chamber cleaned up nicely.  You got to love kroil and Choir Boy pads.  Don

Up date fired the reseated, some proper seated, some DEWC plated, and Remington 148 TMWC Match today off a rest.  The reseated deeper Zero 148gr HBWCs grouped the same as the ones I loaded to the proper seating depth shot the same group and the same POI.  Both had two flyers just out of the group at 2 o'clock.  The Remington Match had a tighter group with no flyers.  Same POI as the reloads.  Going to have to figure out where those flyers are coming from with my reloads.  Don

I have tested and found hbwc 148 gr. to be the choice. Star bullets used to be what to shoot. Nowadays it seems Zero is pretty close Speer and Hornady always worked well too. Any of those for me at least, were always seated about a fingernail thickness out. A clean bore is your best friend with a 52 functionally and accuracy wise. Won some matches with mine.

I have tested and found hbwc 148 gr. to be the choice. Star bullets used to be what to shoot. Nowadays it seems Zero is pretty close Speer and Hornady always worked well too. Any of those for me at least, were always seated about a fingernail thickness out. A clean bore is your best friend with a 52 functionally and accuracy wise. Won some matches with mine.