Die adjustments
Quote from Reloader on January 5, 2016, 2:57 amI am new to reloading and have a lot of questions. I have set up my XL-650
and need some help with my die adjustments. I am going to load .45 ACP first and then
move on to other calibers. Not sure if this is the best place to start but I did.
I am using 230 gr FMJ-RN coated bullets. I am not charging with powder or seating
primers yet.
After crimping my OAL is 1.211. The round will only drop a little more than half
way into the case gauge. At the point where it seems to stop, I can see a "band" around the outside of the
casing right at the bottom of where the bullet appears to sit.
What am I doing wrong and or what adjustments do I need to make? Any help would be appreciated
for someone trying to learn. Thank you.
I am new to reloading and have a lot of questions. I have set up my XL-650
and need some help with my die adjustments. I am going to load .45 ACP first and then
move on to other calibers. Not sure if this is the best place to start but I did.
I am using 230 gr FMJ-RN coated bullets. I am not charging with powder or seating
primers yet.
After crimping my OAL is 1.211. The round will only drop a little more than half
way into the case gauge. At the point where it seems to stop, I can see a "band" around the outside of the
casing right at the bottom of where the bullet appears to sit.
What am I doing wrong and or what adjustments do I need to make? Any help would be appreciated
for someone trying to learn. Thank you.
Quote from Reloader on January 5, 2016, 10:35 amWelcome to the art of reloading. You are a step ahead of many by using a case gauge!
Problem could be case has not been full length resized:
Take a case after it has been resized and deprimed and check in the case gauge. IE: Remove after the case has been processed through stage 1. The case should fall freely all the way into the case gauge. If it does not then turn the resizing die down 1/8 of a turn, tighten and retry. Repeat until case fit correctly into the case gauge.
Problem could be bullet not seated far enough or flare at powder station has not been rolled out crimped enough.
If there is a edge felt at the top of the case, then move the last die down a 1/8 turn until you cannot feel the edge (final crimp die). Check in case gauge. If making progress, repeat until fits in case gauge.
The OAL might be a tad long. A FMJ FP OAL is 1.200, per Hornady Handbook Third Edition. A RN might vary slightly. Try seating the bullet slightly lower.
The final measurement will be how nicely the ammo feeds into the firearm.
Welcome to the art of reloading. You are a step ahead of many by using a case gauge!
Problem could be case has not been full length resized:
Take a case after it has been resized and deprimed and check in the case gauge. IE: Remove after the case has been processed through stage 1. The case should fall freely all the way into the case gauge. If it does not then turn the resizing die down 1/8 of a turn, tighten and retry. Repeat until case fit correctly into the case gauge.
Problem could be bullet not seated far enough or flare at powder station has not been rolled out crimped enough.
If there is a edge felt at the top of the case, then move the last die down a 1/8 turn until you cannot feel the edge (final crimp die). Check in case gauge. If making progress, repeat until fits in case gauge.
The OAL might be a tad long. A FMJ FP OAL is 1.200, per Hornady Handbook Third Edition. A RN might vary slightly. Try seating the bullet slightly lower.
The final measurement will be how nicely the ammo feeds into the firearm.