Loading 9mm
Quote from Reloader on October 28, 2010, 8:07 pmWhen I'm loading 9mm for my Open gun I sometimes get say 3 or 4 rounds out of 100 that will not drop into the barrel. I can't figure out why this is happening.
thanks,
Don
When I'm loading 9mm for my Open gun I sometimes get say 3 or 4 rounds out of 100 that will not drop into the barrel. I can't figure out why this is happening.
thanks,
Don
Quote from Reloader on October 29, 2010, 12:04 amOften the high pressures 9mm major is loaded to will over-expand the base portion of the case. A conventional size die won't resize the webbing portion at the bottom. Only a roll resizer or a push-through size die can resize that. How many times have the cases been reloaded at major?
Often the high pressures 9mm major is loaded to will over-expand the base portion of the case. A conventional size die won't resize the webbing portion at the bottom. Only a roll resizer or a push-through size die can resize that. How many times have the cases been reloaded at major?
Quote from Reloader on October 29, 2010, 3:59 amI think if the cases you are reloading came from your firearm and after reloading 3 or 4 do not chamber, mean you are loading too hot a load (aka: major).
I am yet to find a piece of paper, metal target or hunted animal that could tell the difference of a few 100 fps. I recommend you check the reloading manual, work to a lower powder, check overall length of the loaded ammo, verify the bullet weight, etc.
I would deprime and resize all your cases and case gauge check them. Any that are out of spec toss. The 9mm case is cheap and the cost of a push through size die is not worth the cost. This is a requirement for range brass.
I have the 9mm Dillon case gauge it number is 113-15161. Dillon also sells the EGW chamber checker that allows for checking of 7 cases at once. The EGW for 9mm is 113-198146. I have one for my 40S&W (where bulging at the base is well known). I even toss 40S&W cases that show bulging. My feeling is that a bulging case has provided the warning sign that it is about to fail. Why tempt fate?
Back down the loads some and find the powder amount and bullet weight that groups well at the lower pressure.
The person you might save could be you or a loved one.
I think if the cases you are reloading came from your firearm and after reloading 3 or 4 do not chamber, mean you are loading too hot a load (aka: major).
I am yet to find a piece of paper, metal target or hunted animal that could tell the difference of a few 100 fps. I recommend you check the reloading manual, work to a lower powder, check overall length of the loaded ammo, verify the bullet weight, etc.
I would deprime and resize all your cases and case gauge check them. Any that are out of spec toss. The 9mm case is cheap and the cost of a push through size die is not worth the cost. This is a requirement for range brass.
I have the 9mm Dillon case gauge it number is 113-15161. Dillon also sells the EGW chamber checker that allows for checking of 7 cases at once. The EGW for 9mm is 113-198146. I have one for my 40S&W (where bulging at the base is well known). I even toss 40S&W cases that show bulging. My feeling is that a bulging case has provided the warning sign that it is about to fail. Why tempt fate?
Back down the loads some and find the powder amount and bullet weight that groups well at the lower pressure.
The person you might save could be you or a loved one.
Quote from Reloader on November 4, 2010, 3:47 amI have checked a sized case and it will drop into the chamber and fall out. I'm using 6.5 grs of Winchester Autocomp powder. Looking at the powder in the case, there is little to no compression on the load. I have looked at the primers, and they show no sign of high pressure. The cases have mostly been once to twice fired. I need to go on the hotter side for the comp to work.
I think the issue is the bullet not seating straight into the case. I did increase the flair a little, and it seemed to help a bit. I just got done loading 100, and had 2 that will not drop in.
Don
I have checked a sized case and it will drop into the chamber and fall out. I'm using 6.5 grs of Winchester Autocomp powder. Looking at the powder in the case, there is little to no compression on the load. I have looked at the primers, and they show no sign of high pressure. The cases have mostly been once to twice fired. I need to go on the hotter side for the comp to work.
I think the issue is the bullet not seating straight into the case. I did increase the flair a little, and it seemed to help a bit. I just got done loading 100, and had 2 that will not drop in.
Don
Quote from Reloader on December 2, 2010, 8:51 pmA couple of things to consider.
Do you have your SDB's crimp die set tight enough to completely remove the flair from the case mouth?
I really don't care for most Lee products but there is one item they make that is truly useful and that's their "Factory Crimp Die". It's a carbide sizer die but without the decapping pin and it has a crimp adjustment. It's used as a final sizer for loaded ammunition. I have one installed in a dedicated single stage press and resize every oversized reload in it. I have the crimp adjustment backed out as it's not needed.
I use the EGW chamber checker referred to by lcb and check absolutely every loaded round in it. Most drop in and fall out easily. The ones that don't go through the Lee die and THEN they fall in and out of the chamber checker.
A couple of things to consider.
Do you have your SDB's crimp die set tight enough to completely remove the flair from the case mouth?
I really don't care for most Lee products but there is one item they make that is truly useful and that's their "Factory Crimp Die". It's a carbide sizer die but without the decapping pin and it has a crimp adjustment. It's used as a final sizer for loaded ammunition. I have one installed in a dedicated single stage press and resize every oversized reload in it. I have the crimp adjustment backed out as it's not needed.
I use the EGW chamber checker referred to by lcb and check absolutely every loaded round in it. Most drop in and fall out easily. The ones that don't go through the Lee die and THEN they fall in and out of the chamber checker.
Quote from Reloader on February 1, 2011, 1:51 pmI have to agree with davidhb. I too purchased a Lee single-stage press solely for sizing my 9mm reloads. (Sorry, Dillon.) Since then, I've also purchased a sizing die for .45 ACP, because many Federal shell cases swell at the bottom of the case. Since I frequently shoot IDPA matches, lowering my velocity isn't negotiable, otherwise I can't meet IDPA's "power factor." Since using Lee's factory crimp die, I've greatly reduced my failures-to-feed.
I have to agree with davidhb. I too purchased a Lee single-stage press solely for sizing my 9mm reloads. (Sorry, Dillon.) Since then, I've also purchased a sizing die for .45 ACP, because many Federal shell cases swell at the bottom of the case. Since I frequently shoot IDPA matches, lowering my velocity isn't negotiable, otherwise I can't meet IDPA's "power factor." Since using Lee's factory crimp die, I've greatly reduced my failures-to-feed.
Quote from Reloader on August 6, 2011, 12:56 amWhy doesn't Dillon make the die size all the way down to the rim?
This appears to be a common problem and you would think a sizing die would actually size it properly.
Why doesn't Dillon make the die size all the way down to the rim?
This appears to be a common problem and you would think a sizing die would actually size it properly.
Quote from Reloader on August 8, 2011, 4:54 pmIf the webbing of the case is expanding, this typically means that either the chamber is not properly supporting the case, or the brass is not withstanding the pressures it is being loaded to. A size die that you push the case up into will create a belt or step if it is trying to resize the webbing of the case. A push-through die that sizes backwards will push the brass forward, towards the case mouth. Then the case can be conventionally sized to provide proper bullet tension, etc. Not all brass is equally strong for the same caliber. If the bullets are not seated straight, I suggest you loosen the lock ring on all of the dies, then with cases/cartridges in all the stations, pull the handle down. Now with cases up in the dies and activating the powder measure, tighten the lock rings. This ensures that the dies are straight in the toolhead, and that the toolhead is lifted up in a consistant manner.
If the webbing of the case is expanding, this typically means that either the chamber is not properly supporting the case, or the brass is not withstanding the pressures it is being loaded to. A size die that you push the case up into will create a belt or step if it is trying to resize the webbing of the case. A push-through die that sizes backwards will push the brass forward, towards the case mouth. Then the case can be conventionally sized to provide proper bullet tension, etc. Not all brass is equally strong for the same caliber. If the bullets are not seated straight, I suggest you loosen the lock ring on all of the dies, then with cases/cartridges in all the stations, pull the handle down. Now with cases up in the dies and activating the powder measure, tighten the lock rings. This ensures that the dies are straight in the toolhead, and that the toolhead is lifted up in a consistant manner.