230 gr bullet cocking in case

peter2772000

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If it isn't one thing, it's another.....

After a lengthy hiatus (and numerous issues/glitches with 44 mag & 38/357), I'd screwed up the courage to face "The Beast" one more time & took the cover off my 650 in order to replenish my now-depleted stock of ammo.

I started off by reloading 44 Mag. I had initially loaded brand-new cases and had no issues. After firing them and attempting to reload 'em however, I had major shell-sticking problems. To the point of busting stuff on the machine (mostly due to my frustration and dumba$$edness).

This time, I tried spraying the shells with Lyman spray lube. Utopia! Reloading once again became fun. Relatively uneventful and pleasant. After 500 rds, on to the next calibre...

Swapped tool heads, set-up the spare powder funnel & started loading 200 gr .45 ACP, again using spray lube. My god, reloading was more fun than I remembered. Effortless & easy, I churned out my remaining stock of 200 grainers within minutes. Darn, life really is good.....

And then it started :redface:.

I adjusted bullet seating depth in preparation for my supply of 1,500 230 gr bullets. I re-adjusted the powder charge accordingly and started reloading like a good l'il Petey. After around 20 or so pulls, I would occasionally get a bullet cocking in the casing. It would somehow get pushed crookedly into the casing. This would happen every 20 or so pulls on the crank, then got progressively worse. I've checked the Dillon manual trouble-shoot section and tried/verified their suggested possible causes. I tried;

- increasing/decreasing the bell. No difference
- holding the arm in the down position, loosening and re-
tightening the re-sizing and bullet-seating dies. Nuttin'!
- re-adjusting the re-sizing die depth so as to make sure
as much of the case as possible is being re-sized. Nada!
- Disassembled, cleaned and re-assembled the re-sizing
die. Nope!

I dunno what else to check. Any ideas from any of the Dillon Masters? I hear that stamp-collecting is relativelt hassle-free....:D
 
Do you mean crushing cases? Or bullets going into the case sideways? If it is cases getting crushed sounds like the bullet seating die needs to be adjusted,if the latter it sounds like you are not making sure the bullet is upright maybe before seating it?
 
Embarrassingly, I never thought to check the seating die. What the heck could possibly be stuck in there enuf to cause this?

Jdman, the bullet itself is being pushed into the case cockeyed. Bloody weird.

Will check the seating die and let you all know what I find. Thanks for the suggestions ;)
 
The actual punch, on the end of the seating stem, may not be a good match for the bullet you are using, I've seen where bullets catch on the edge of the punch and seat ####-eyed.
 
Embarrassingly, I never thought to check the seating die. What the heck could possibly be stuck in there enuf to cause this?

Jdman, the bullet itself is being pushed into the case cockeyed. Bloody weird.

Will check the seating die and let you all know what I find. Thanks for the suggestions ;)

Why, bullet lube of course!;)
 
Well, I removed the seating die and found it clean as a whistle, this ain't the problem. However....

Quote by Ben Hunchak
"The actual punch, on the end of the seating stem, may not be a good match for the bullet you are using, I've seen where bullets catch on the edge of the punch and seat ####-eyed."

Spot on, my good man. Spot on :rockOn:

I was also informed by a fellow shooter that he has two different seating die tips for .45. One for ball ammo and one for flat nose which is what I always loaded prior to this experience. I checked my die and indeed, it has a flat spot on the tip.

Then I checked the RCBS box which the kit came in and lo & behold, two other tips in there. One for "SWC" (as stamped) and one for "ball". Only problem is that these two other tips are smaller in diameter than necessary, so they don't screw into the seating die body. If it ain't one thing or another.....
Any of you geniuses :p have a solution for this, or do I break out the credit card for a new Dillon .45 kit?

I do, however, demand financial compensation from the other "old whore" reloaders who answered this thread. How could no one have thought that I would need a different seating tip?

I'm thinking along the lines of $1,000 in punitive damages & $1,000 for compensation due to mental duress.

Please EMT your payments to peter2772000@yahoo.com
The security answer is;

"How on earth could I have forgotten to tell Petey about the different seating tips?"
 
From your opening statement, I thought you were experienced enough to know about seating stems. Apparently, you are nothing more than a newbie. But don't worry, I won't offer help anymore. Too expensive.....
 
From your opening statement, I thought you were experienced enough to know about seating stems. Apparently, you are nothing more than a newbie. But don't worry, I won't offer help anymore. Too expensive.....

Jesus Joey, I was jez joshin'. I didn't think you'd take it the wrong way....:(


I am a relative newb. I've reloaded mebbe a total of 10-15k rds of different calibres. I had already reloaded .45 200 grain without issue in the past. How the hell was I supposed to know that in the "unique" case of .45 ACP, different seating tips are required. :confused:
 
If ever in doubt about Dillon products just call their help line. Someone on the other end will talk you through the whole problem. He will be a reloader with Dillon products and knows them thouroughly. If you need a replacement part, they will send you what you need. If it's a replacement for something you broke or wore out it may not cost anything. Mine didn't.
 
A lot of handgun cartridge dies come with different seating stems or are at least available.

Can I have my money back now?;)
 
BTW, most Dillon seating dies come with both a flat and a round-nose profile built right into the die, you simply reverse the stem to use the profile you want.

That info will definately cost you. I'll put it on your tab......
 
Look who's expensive now...:p

I'll check my 38/.40/.44 Dillon die sets to see which ones come with multiple tips.

They're prolly in there and I never even noticed. :redface:

The newer style have a spring-clip on top. Hold your hand under the die and remove the clip. Study what falls into your hand carefully.....;)
 
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