Can't figure out what I'm doing wrong (reloading 9mm)

Bynming said:
Tossing this out there before going to bed. Is it possible that this is happening because I haven't sorted brass by length or brand? I know I have some brass that's .742 long up to .748 and now I'm noticing that I have some that measure at .738. I'm thinking that may have messed with my crimp.
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Those cases are within SAAMI specs for length: 0.744" to 0.754", so that should not be the problem, the case should accept them all with no length issues. No results with the black marker rubbing off any problem cartridges?

I'm going to suggest a silly thing: is your case gauge clean? If there was any dirt, excess lube or metal filings in it, it might affect the fit, no?

http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Pistol/9mm%20Luger%20-%209mm%20Luger%20+P.pdf
 
Grawfr said:
Those cases are within SAAMI specs for length: 0.744" to 0.754", so that should not be the problem, the case should accept them all with no length issues. No results with the black marker rubbing off any problem cartridges?

I'm going to suggest a silly thing: is your case gauge clean? If there was any dirt, excess lube or metal filings in it, it might affect the fit, no?

http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Pistol/9mm%20Luger%20-%209mm%20Luger%20+P.pdf
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Haven't tried the gauge trick yet, I shouldn't be asking more questions before trying what was suggested, I'm sorry. I'll get back to my bench tomorrow and try the marker trick if my cartridges are still out of spec. And the gauge is definitely clean. I'll also bring my CZ's barrel with me.
 
My buddy and I loaded for 9 mm, using the same press. He was having a similar problem, where about 1 in 3 wouldn't drop in his barrel.
Mine would always fit.
If I remember correctly, it was because he readjusted the sizing die. He didn't have it screwed down enough.
 
G-Man_Quagmire said:
Try one of your cartridges in the barrel you will be using to fire the ammunition. If it chambers and extracts with no problems, you will be good to go unless you are wanting this ammo to chamber in ANY firearm. Maybe you are using mixed brass and therefore not all cases are precisely the same size? I have experienced this while loading 40 S&W and any cartridges that do not precisely fit in my case gauge I check in the barrel, and they chamber and extract fine.
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This my answer also.Use the pistol barrel for a gauge.Most times you can push the finished round into the gauge with your thumb with a little force.I've loaded thousands of 9mm for all types of pistols and they sometimes wouldn't drop into the Dillon 9mm gauge.Everyone went bang and worked great.
 
Well in a silly turn of event the simplest solution was the right one. I have made another batch of 30 cartridge to test during my next shooting session. I used a different setting on my crimp die. All 30 rounds fit perfectly in my CZ's barrel but about 8-10 of the 30 didn't fit in the Lyman case gauge, leaving the rim of the case exposed unless I pressed down pretty hard on it. I get the sense that it means my reloads may not work in every pistol, but since I only have this one CZ I'll just use them with that.
 
FYI, the CZ Shadow has a very short chamber. I load mine at 1.087 so that they'll drop free, using the barrel as a gauge.
 
Bullet length is most likely the problem, none of my 9mm reloads are over 1.1

I don't trust case gauges personally

pictures would be helpful though
 
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If your rounds fit into a CZ barrel, they should fit into just about any other 9mm pistol. The case gauge may be on the tight side, which would make it possible to have rounds that don't fit the gauge, but still function OK.
 
I'll keep all of that in mind, perhaps I'll load the next ones shorter. Thanks to everyone who posted, it's good to know that there are good people here who are willing to help :))
 
Bynming said:
I'll keep all of that in mind, perhaps I'll load the next ones shorter. Thanks to everyone who posted, it's good to know that there are good people here who are willing to help :))
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I know I couldn't believe how much I had to keep adjusting the length in order to get them to drop freely. It seems ridiculous but you'll get there in the end.
 
The issue I have had in the past when using a case gauge is in the rim of the brass.
It seems sometimes the extractor pulls a little harder and leaves a little lip on the rim of the case which can cause the case to stick or not go all of the way into the case gauge.
 
I have loaded 9mm for about 28 years and have never separated my brass as to manufacturer or length. I have two large Rubbermaid containers. On is for cleaned brass, the other for dirty. When I occasionally find one that is difficult to chamber it gets tossed.

Auggie D.
 
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