Another Newbie question

JBD

JBD

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I reloaded my first batch of 45 acp. I sized the brass and they fit the chamber. Somewhere after sizing either in expanding the case and filling with powder or seating the bullet. The case is expanding and will no longer chamber easily.

I tried to salvage my unfired ones by passing them through the sizer again. This worked but the bullets kept coming off after I passed them through the sizer again.

So how do I avoid this and is there anything I can do with the cartridges that I made that don't chamber well?

Jason
 
My guess is that you might be over expanding the case and causing a slight bulge behind the mouth of the case or maybe a problem with your crimp. The 45 ACP headspaces on the case mouth so a proper crimp is important, I use a taper crimp die which keeps the case flat against the bullet, when you expand the case mouth all you need is enough so that the bullet will sit on top of the case when you put it there without falling off.

I tried to salvage my unfired ones by passing them through the sizer again. This worked but the bullets kept coming off after I passed them through the sizer again.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean here, I can't see how the bullets should be falling off after resizing unless you are resizing ammo with the bullets in them still which would size the bullets down as well.
 
I had a similar problem till I started taper crimping. Now I taper crimp all my auto pistol cartridges, and haven't had a case related jam since. The die is only about 15-20 $, go get one!:)
 
You pushed them too far into the size die. This operation is often called "post sizing" and should only be done to the minimum needed to get good chambering.
I suspect that Silverback's diagnosis is right, with you flairing the mouths a bit too much. Only do it enough to get the bullet to enter the case mouth. and don't forget to chamfer and deburr first. Also, check your case lengths.
 
jasonburnsdundee, are you using lead? The carbide sizing ring in the Lee FCD you are using may be too small and or the projectile is too large. What happens is the projectile is being sized down and it will not rebound in size after being squeezed like the brass will. Then you have no tension holding the bullet in. I have customized my FCD's for this reason.

You need to use .452 as max for diameter. I always size my lead.
You need to find out the max diameter your ammo can be and still gravity drop in the chamber. Just remove the barrel and hold it in your hand while dropping in the rounds. It will be easy to come up with a number that suits this chamber.
Make some dummy rounds with .452 projectiles and use the FCD. If they become loose, the carbide sizing ring is too small.
Go get some cheap diamond dremel tips with parallel sides, often a variety pack of them come on sale at princess auto.
Chuck the dremel tip in a drill press and grind .002" off the carbide sizing ring of the FCD by placing in on the table and circling it around. You can't really induce any amount of runout because you can see the marks you are making and you are only taking off .002" anyway.
It will be a rougher finish thats for sure but you can use the white diamond polishing compound to smooth it out a little if you buy some at the same place.
Make some more dummy rounds and try it again.

Cheers
 
You guys keep talking about a crimping die but I went on the lee site and it says not necessary with 86 and newer dies I have a brand new anniversary kit do I need this die. Also I rexized all my cases and reinserted the bullets and the bullets are loose my friend tells me that they could be dangerous to fire as the pressures could go sky high. I am using virgin brass and the bullet nearly falls down the case after it is been sized.

Any idea what I am doing wrong.

Jason
 
Jason, Screw your die futher into the press. Also back off on the bullet seating adjustment when you do this as you have to compensate for the lowering of the die.

This will give more crimp. Go slowly about 1/4 to 1/2 turn at at time. Its easier to check this with the barrel out of the gun. Keep trying the cartridge in the chamber until it fits properly (Base of the case level with the barrel hood)

You should also ensure that the cartridge overall length is within specs stated in your load manual.

Rod.:)
 
Measure the diameter of the bullets, it should be 0.452". The only way that they could be falling in is if the bullets are too small for some reason. Can you post some pictures, that might help us figure out what is happening.
 
I'm not sure what you mean here, I can't see how the bullets should be falling off after resizing unless you are resizing ammo with the bullets in them still which would size the bullets down as well.


That is exactly what I did I tried a fresh bullet out of the box and it worked fine.

What a Newbie

Jason
 
It sounds like you have two problems .
First , it sounds like you are flaring the case a little much . Backing out the die a little may help .
Second , the Lee seating die is also the crimp die but it sounds like your die is to shallow . Try adjusting it a bit at a time as Rod B said .
Good luck .
 
I am using virgin brass and the bullet nearly falls down the case after it is been sized.
Click to expand...
If your sizing die is properly screwed into the press to kiss the top of the shell holder when the ram is at the top of its stroke, and your bullets measure 0.450 in. or greater in diameter, then you have an oversize sizing die which should be returned for a properly finished die.
 
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