.38 special lrn crimped on case

[eajonesyk2]

Hi,

I just got back from the store with two boxes of Remington .38 special. First box is 130gr fmj fp, second box is 158gr lead round nose. The 158gr lrn rounds appear to have a roll crimp at the case mouth (expected) but they also have a heavy crimp about a 1/4 inch down from the case mouth. Is this normal? Will it affect the case life? Will it be necessary to perform this type of secondary crimp if I reload the cases with cast bullets? Thanks.

[GBertolet]

If I understand you correctly, the crimp or groove you describe, is there to keep the bullet from being pushed into the case further. The case manufacture puts this there. Some cases have it, while some don't. You can ignore this cannelure groove when reloading.

[eajonesyk2]

a groove might be a better description. It has serrations in the bottom of the "groove" almost resembling the cannelure of a bullet. It does appear that it might be below where the base of the bullet is in the case. So it makes sense it would serve the function of keeping the bullet from going beyond that point in the case. It is the first time I have ever seen it. Do you think it will smooth out when case is fired and might it cause a weak point in the case?

[GP100man]

The cannelure or ring ya see is for manufacturing identification.

[eajonesyk2]

will it disappear in the sizing die?

[DirtyChris]

I have some like that I have loaded and fired probably 10 times. It doesn't go away but doesn't seem to affect case life at all. I've never had one split where the cannelure is.

[eajonesyk2]

ok thanks for the first hand experience.

[MikeS]

I believe this extra groove was normally found on cases that were loaded with wadcutter bullets. Perhaps Remington is using the extra groove not only for wadcutters, but for any loads that have lead bullets. Some people say that the extra groove was there to keep the bullet from going too deep into the case, it might be there for that reason, or it might just be there for identification. In either case they should work just fine for reloading with your own cast boolits.

[MtGun44]

Not only for ID, I believe cannelures are also used to keep boolit from pushing into
the case in some applications.

Bill

[runfiverun]

they have used them on 45 acp cases forever.
and some 44 mags,45 colts,and 38's.

[williamwaco]

It is normal.
It will not affect anything.
It will eventually "iron out" after 20 or 30 loadings.
Even after you can no longer feel it, it will still be visible.

Load'em, shoot'em, enjoy'em.

.

[rexherring]

Almost all of the older cases had them but most have eliminated it now. I still have a couple old boxes of .38's I won't shoot because they're collectors now. I might make sense in a lever action with heavy loads but the crimp is usually enough.