OAL variance with a Dillion 650

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Pocketsx

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After some help from this site I finally have my press all setup and ready to roll. I started off by making a bunch of test rounds without primers or powder. When I checked the OAL after they were done, I am seeing a variance in length. I set the press up for an OAL of 1.145. I would say 80% are bang on but that last 20% varied from 1.142 up to 1.150. Could this be user error? Press setup? Or is this normal on a progressive press.

In case it matters I'm loading 9mm 124 g Campro bullets.

One other question i can't seem to find an answer to anywhere is whether or not primer depth must be or can be set on this press.

Thanks
 
A few questions:

- What dies are you using?
- Are the cases lubed?
- Are the dies firmly secured into the die plate?
- Does the die plate have any play?
 
Measure your bullets and see how much length variation they have. Unless there is something wrong with your press or setup, the vast majority of length variation is due to the bullets.
 
there is no primer depth adjustment. You just have to develop a "feel" for when they are seated.
Check your seting die for the depth. If the contour of the bullet and the seting die dont match you could have a problem I find that I use a flat insert in the seating die and have no problem Also make sure you do a full stroke of the handle every time
 
The dies are dillion carbide dies and no lube has been used. I checked the dies and they are all snug (I never over tightened them, as per the instructions) and there is no play in the plate.

I did measure the bullets before and there is a difference. Out of the 20 I measured they ranged from 0.564 - 0.570. I thought that the seating die would of set them all the same and the difference would have just been hidden in the case.
 
Pocketsx said:
I did measure the bullets before and there is a difference. Out of the 20 I measured they ranged from 0.564 - 0.570. I thought that the seating die would of set them all the same and the difference would have just been hidden in the case.
Click to expand...

Often, the length difference seems to be at the tip, creating OAL variances despite OAL being consistent if measured at the ogive with a comparator.


Mark
 
ogive placement is where the seating die should push from, as above if you use a flat punch [ seating pin ] you'll likely get a more consis seat. with normal type bullets in 9 , 38 , 40 , 45 , a .003 +/- float is not uncommon & with not cause any probs , unless your @ the extreme loa , then you need to set the long loa to suit your chamber/mag. these probs are with all bullets , the dies have very little to nothing to do with it.your consistant stroke on the press & having all stations full are the key.
 
Thanks for all the help.

Off topic question but I just wanted to get some more info before starting to load in higher quanities.

How did everyone determine their oal? Was it from the load they used out of a manual or did you follow that thread on "determining oal for your barrel". Looking at what people use to load 9mm 124 g bullets with tite group varies a lot. From 1.075 - 1.160. The hodgdons site says

125 GR. SIE FMJ* Hodgdon* Titegroup* .355"* 1.090"* 4.1* 1069* 27,300 CUP* 4.4* 1136* 30,600 CUP

I am thinking of using 1.145 because I've used federal ammo since I started with out issues and the one I measured came in at 1.150

Thanks again for the help* * *
 
with my pistol ammo i usually just load to the wax coal listed in the manuals however for my rifle ammo i am usually .015 off the lands as a start which is usually much longer then max
 
the book is generally right.EXCEPT, always load some dummies & check the mag , chamber fit , & feed. this is a proven method & should be followed when ever you change barrels/guns/bullets or diff makers of the same weight bullet. happy crunching & punching
 
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