I just crimp as a separate step. It takes a little more time, but there’s no ambiguity and I feel the effort is worth it for hunting ammunition.

Cajun.... That certainly is a head scratcher. I don't load SST's in my Ham'r but have loaded many hundreds of 125, 130 and 150gr btsp up to full pressure.

Sorry for the dumb questions below...

Unlike BW I have never expanded cases but ALWAYS chamfer though if Bill does it, it's probably a good idea.
Do you vibrate the powder before putting the bullet in the case?Did not vibrate, I do use a drop tube and add powder slowly as to let the load settle
Are the case length and shoulders within OEM spec?Case shoulders are to spec. I use the Wilson 300 HAM'R case gauge on every case
Starline cases are very tough and the second firing has never been an issue. They do have slightly less capacity than the Sig cases. NBD.
I don't see signs of a "lee factory crimp" but is the case otherwise crimped?I use the Lee FCD on all my auto loaders as well. I didn't reach that step on this batch of ladder loads. I stop when they started to bulge.

Though it looks like the powder may be pushing the case out sideways, I've never seen it do that. The powder usually pushes the bullet back out of the case a few thousandths. And finally... chamber gauges are worth their weight in gold.

Hhmmm.

I'll confess that I've never loaded this cartridge, but I doubt that it's any different from many others. Based on some earlier statements I'd say you're compressing your powder charge...and different things can happen when you try to compress the charge too much. I've seen an example of a case that bulged dramatically just below the shoulder as a result of compressing the charge too much. Maybe that's what's happening to you. It would be easy enough to size a case and skip priming and charging, and seat a bullet to see what happens. I think you'd know it's the compressed charge if seating a bullet in an empty case works without a hitch.

That's odd. The brass would not soften with use, it would harden if anything. You indicated once-fired Starline, if I understood correctly.

Maybe someone else can solve the puzzle...I'm at a loss.

I just finished reviewing a YTD report of AR barrel sales for production planning purposes. WOW, what a bunch of surprises....

We've sold over 12k barrels YTD
.308 Win barrels are our best sellers
.300 Blackout is #2
.224 Valkyrie is in the top 10 ???
We sell a LOT of 11.3" barrels
The 18" fluted Tac Hunter HAM'R 1-13 is the best selling HAM'R barrel
Overall 1-13 sells the best in spite of overall the 1-15 shooting the best ???
My "personal" favorite HAM'R barrel (Ranger 1-15) is near the bottom

Does anyone have any load data for 338 Federal?

Bulging cases were twice fired Starline.
I will admit, the 2 times these were fired, they were at max weight. Primer pockets felt OK(good tension) and no obvious pressure signs after those firings.

Loaded up 20 rounds of 130gr speer hot core and CFE BLKOut for a ladder test tomorrow. Going on doe patrol Monday and Tuesday.

What is everyone getting for 100 yard groups in your HAM’R?

after getting the 18" Ham'r barrel and breaking it in I did a series of 100 yard tests. The 150gr HC btsp bullet was always more accurate so all future work was with that bullet. So my testing with the 130gr HC is NOT definitive. However, I got 1.25" 100 yard groups with some reloads. The 150 gr never ran over an inch. I have a new 150gr load to be tested after Christmas and there are some indications it is the most accurate. TBD. I plan to go back to the 130gr and spend more time developing it.

Good hunting!

And you're full length resizing correct? And felt tension when resizing, are they easy to resize?

I have 3 300 Ham'rs. Wife and I have the Ruger/WC conversion and I have a WC AR 15 18" barrel. All 3 will shoot 1 inch groups consistently or better with the Speer 130 HC. Sometimes the nut (this nut) behind the trigger will pull a shot.

Yep, FL sizing with the Lee set from WC. Force required feels normal using Imperial sizing wax. I have a set of RCBS on order from WC. I do prefer the way RCBS's decapper can be removed. Plus my OCD acts up each time I open the cabinet and there's that one red case in with the other green ones.

To clarify, I don’t believe anything is wrong with the Lee set, I’m just using this opportunity to get a green box.

Loaded up 20 rounds of 130gr speer hot core and CFE BLKOut for a ladder test tomorrow. Going on doe patrol Monday and Tuesday.

What is everyone getting for 100 yard groups in your HAM’R?

Wanted to share a picture of my daughter and her hog from yesterday. She shot it with my 300 Ham’r through both shoulders. DRT. The night before she shot through a sow as big as this pig and killed another behind it. Clean pass throughs. Incredibly satisfying round.

... What is everyone getting for 100 yard groups in your HAM’R?