.38 Special Reloads Issue

[allingeneral]

I went to "The Range" in Stafford once, and I'll definitely go back. The only problem that I had there was using their reloads. I was firing a Taurus .38 UltraLite revolver. Several times while using their reloads, I had a problem with a bullet slipping out of the casing when I fired a shot. This seemed to be due to the gun's counter-recoil dislodging a waiting round, which then jammed my cylinder. I had to push the bullet back into the casing with my finger before I could advance the cylinder. I ended up giving the reloads back and firing my new Winchester rounds (which I was trying to save!). The rangemaster said that this is a common problem with lightweight pistols. Has anyone else ever had a similar problem?

[Vahunter]

I really doubt that the bullet coming out of the case was the result of using a light weight gun. I'd be willing to bet the loads were not properly crimped when they were made.

[Tusker]

I would SECOND that. Poor quality control.

[chevyparts12000]

someone does not know how to reload ammo and must have expanded the case too much and the bullet fit was not tight enough, i load everything from 9mm all the way up too 30/06 and have never had the bullets come out on recoil not even in a 2.5 inch s&w 500

[Grapeshot]

IMO - you got hold of some real junk ammo!

If its loose enough to fall out, then its loose enough to set too deep and maybe raise the pressure to catastrophic level = a Kaboom !

Yata hey

[flowmaster]

this is sort of off topic, but i won't be returning to The Range in stafford. i walked in and the floor was dirty and the couch looked like something they'd found on the side of the road. between that and the dim lighting, clutter, and scratched up cases, i decided to walk right out the door and not even ask what the wait would be to shoot there.

a good rule of thumb (for me anyway) is i don't shoot reloads unless i recognize the box the ammo comes in. for 38 special, i've had great luck with appalachian and georgia arms, both of which i've purchased at local gun shows.

[allingeneral]

I'll have to agree on all counts - a bit dirty - Dim lighting (it was tough for me to pick up the front sight on my Taurus the lighting was so bad) - and the day we went it must have been about 40 degrees in the range area. It was like shooting up a meat locker!

Folks running the place seemed to be nice enough.

[VBshooter]

That line about the lightweight pistols is definitley that guy backing up and trying to save a little grace,,, Sounds like someone didn;t know how to crimp a round right, I had a S&W Chiefs Special .38 and fired every kind of round ever made out of it and only had 1 hangfire ,,and that was with factory ammo

[Grapeshot]

Agreed that he was ignoring/hiding the real problem. I carry a S&W mod. 60 (5 shot) when working - it reverts to my BUG when I'm off work. I've had it over 20 years and have never had a problem with any ammo - not even the bulk reloads I used to buy to shoot out of my mod. 66 and the 60.

Yata hey

[arkypete]

I've read of ultra lite weight revolvers causing bullets to slide forward during recoil, but never experienced it.
Jim

[realbert]

Very light weight revolvers can be a problem with some ammunition when the crimp is not tight enough. When the bullet can be pushed back in with ones finger, there is certainly not enough crimp. Seems like improperly loaded ammo exacerbated by a light weight revolver.

[HighExpert]

It is combination of too much bell and too little crimp. Reducing neck tension is the main problem caused by too much bell. A good roll crimp will help a lot but not make up for lack of neck tension.