Hey Folks, I have been re-loading for precision rifle for some time very successfully SO I decided I would try re-loading for my 1911. Did all the usual stuff to my brass and got them all ready. Charged the cases got my press ready. Put the bullet on. Pulled the handle and the bullet did not seat. In fact it crushed the side of the case. I tried again and the same thing happened. I'm using 200gr Hornady XTP bullets and once used brass. What did I miss. Please help me out if you can. Thanks.
45 ACP Crush
- Thread starter buckloco
- Start date
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Did you "bell" the case mouth?
Pistol cases need to be belled slightly, just enough to be able to set/or place a bullet very slightly inside the case mouth.
You want to be able to place (by hand) the bullet so that it sinks about 1/64" into the case mouth. This only requires a very slight bell.
You want only enough bell to start the bullet, too much and your brass will be worked too much and reduce the number of reloads.
Pistol cases need to be belled slightly, just enough to be able to set/or place a bullet very slightly inside the case mouth.
You want to be able to place (by hand) the bullet so that it sinks about 1/64" into the case mouth. This only requires a very slight bell.
You want only enough bell to start the bullet, too much and your brass will be worked too much and reduce the number of reloads.
Kayser Sose
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Van Isle
Yup; you should have a three die set; resize/deprime, case mouth... widener?, and bullet seat. Don't crimp! The round won't sit in the chamber properly if you do.
...ok, 'maybe' taper crimp, but my two cents is that's even more work than's needed.
Have fun, stay focused!!
...ok, 'maybe' taper crimp, but my two cents is that's even more work than's needed.
Have fun, stay focused!!
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
The powder-through die with the powder funnel will bell the mouth.
What dies are you using? What dies are included with the set?
What dies are you using? What dies are included with the set?
Canadian_Zuk
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Pickering, Ontario
expander die does that. the one you can drop the powder through.
[youtube]UshV3-R6FeM&[/youtube]
Plenty more videos for you to search.
As easyrider604 stated, bell the mouth just enough to hold projectile and it will not crush your brass.
My Hornady 45 acp die set came with a bell/flare/expander ,seating and resize/decapping die.
- Location
- Edmonton, Alberta
Just guessing here.. but I had a very similar problem...
Back the bullet seating die out. You have it screwed to deep. The use the fine adjustment knob to set the bullet depth..
Here is a pretty good instruction on how to set the bullet seating die. You might need to back it out 1.5 turns.
Here is how to seat a bullet into the case without crimping. First, place a prepared case (a case that has been resized, re-primed and contains the proper amount of powder) into the shell holder and run it to the top of the press stroke. Second, screw the bullet seating die into the press until you feel it touch the case. Third, back the die off one turn and set the large lock ring. Now there is a proper gap between the shell holder and the die.
Back the bullet seating die out. You have it screwed to deep. The use the fine adjustment knob to set the bullet depth..
Here is a pretty good instruction on how to set the bullet seating die. You might need to back it out 1.5 turns.
Here is how to seat a bullet into the case without crimping. First, place a prepared case (a case that has been resized, re-primed and contains the proper amount of powder) into the shell holder and run it to the top of the press stroke. Second, screw the bullet seating die into the press until you feel it touch the case. Third, back the die off one turn and set the large lock ring. Now there is a proper gap between the shell holder and the die.
When all else fails .... read the instructions that came with the dies.
It is amazing we managed to do this before the invention of the Internet.
Remember when everybody thought computers would make us smarter? That sure didn't work out like it was supposed to.
