What are the signs...

[crabo]

if a boolit is sized too large? Other than the obvious that it won't chamber, are there other signs? I have .358 and .359 for my .357s. I need to unplug one set of holes to lube a new boolit and I have a new .359 that I haven't plugged any holes yet.

The pistols are S&W and I don't have a fixture to measure them. I also have a Marlin .357.

I hope this question makes sense.

Crabo

[docone31]

I doubt .359 is too large. A lot of mine as cast are .359 and they do well. I pan lube, and size to .358. Slick.
In a revolver, if it is too big, I have had shaving before. The forcing cone does a lot of sizing.

[Firebird]

As long as the cartridges chamber, the bullets aren't too big. I don't think you will see any signs of leading etc from a too large bullet, only one that is too small, too soft or too hard. In a rifle you might see high pressure from a too large bullet, but I don't think you will in a revolver.

[oso]

The thing I've notice with large diameter boolits is my seating die bell remover (crimp) wants to grab the boolit too soon and cause problems.

[Boerrancher]

I very seldom size my 357's and they have been dropping lately on the average of 360. I don't have a leading problem in my Ruger or my Marlin.


Best wishes from the Boer Ranch,

Joe

[Paul B]

.359" is my standard size for both the .38 Spl. and .357 mag. Should work just fine for you.
Paul B.

[Maven]

What are the signs? Possibly poor (or poorer) accuracy and an increase in pressure as well.

[runfiverun]

each .001 in size only raises your pressure 250-300 psi.
so unless you are shooting 8 grs of bullseye....grin.
i wouldn't get too excited about it, if it will chamber it will be fine, your cylinder throats will size it just right for you.

[Bass Ackward]

each .001 in size only raises your pressure 250-300 psi.
so unless you are shooting 8 grs of bullseye....grin.
i wouldn't get too excited about it, if it will chamber it will be fine, your cylinder throats will size it just right for you.


I would think that sizing takes a certain amount of time that otherwise wouldn't be required. During that time, different things would happen depending on circumstances that otherwise didn't. And you get a faster or maybe a complete seal too. Most of the time all I have seen is a change in ES either way in a gun with matching dimensions. But I seldom run full power with cast in a handgun.

As with anything you try, start low and come up.

[DLCTEX]

I have started sizing to .359 for my Charter Bulldog 38 Special and find improved accuracy over the .357 and .358 sizing I had been using. I would shoot them as cast (.3595 with three molds) but I prefer to lube with the lubesizer. .359 does not bulge the WW and RP cases and chambers easily. Some military cases I have do bulge slightly, but still chamber with no stickiness at all. DALE