Need help reloading

[MtnWalker]

I have a need for some help with reloading, but it is for pistol, not .223. If this is not the right forum, mods, would you please move?

I am smooshing my brass when attempting to do the final stage of putting the bullet in the case and crimping it. Would someone be willing to come to my house and help me get past the mental block I am apparently having to figuring this out? I've adjusted things up, down, in, out and still smoosh brass. What is particularly frustrating is that when testing on a non-primed case I got it right. Then, I put a primed, powdered case in with a bullet on top, pulled the lever - and [Rant1]!@#$#%&*.

So, anybody want to show/tell a guy with a brainfart what he is doing wrong?

Thanks,
MtnWalker

[Colorado Osprey]

Think of seating bullets as a 2 step process instead of one.

Step one:
Seat bullet to depth

Step two:
Restore case mouth or crimp.


Doing both in the same step can sometimes cause crumpling cases. This usually happns when all of the cases are not trimmed to the exact same length.

Both can sometimes be done in the same step if case sizes are all identical.

[mightymouse]

I don't know much about pistol reloading, or I'd be ready to offer. People from here helped me when I got started.

[jerrymrc]

I agree with the two step process. Also consider spending the $12 or so on a lee FCD. I now run a turret press that makes it easy but even on the single stage I always seated first then crimped.

The roll crimp must have the cases exactly the same. Using the Factory crimp die I have a little wiggle room meaning that in measuring 500-1000 cases I only have to trim 1/2 of them. And unless you drop the big $$ on a trimmer trimming brass will always be a PITA.

[HunterCO]

I still think you are over crimping as I seen what you reloaded at the last shoot.

Give me a call if you don't have my number still pm me and I will give it to you again.

Tim

[Sixgun]

I can help, let me know........Been there, done that.

[MtnWalker]

HunterCO and Sixgun, PM inbound.

Thanks,
MtnWalker

[MtnWalker]

Foxtrot,
Thanks for the info. I'm not having a problem with rifle rounds, it's those straight-walled pistol rounds like.45 that are giving me fits. I'll try that 2-step process and see if I can save any cases from the trash bin.

Thanks,
MtnWalker

[MtnWalker]

Well, after talking with three different people I think I finally got it. I got 7 dummy rounds (no primer or powder) to seat and crimp without smooshing the case. Then, I put them in a mag and tried cycling them through. They all cycled without a problem.
Next step is to make a few live rounds and take them out to see if they shoot without problems.
Thanks, guys for all your input.

MtnWalker

[claimbuster]

Are you chamfering your brass early in the process?

[DOC]

Did you ever get this fixed? You really shouldn't crimp the case down after you load the bullets because the way I understand it you have to roll the lip closed after loading the round.

If you reload your round you could start off with the round bearly in the case and then work it down a little at a time. If you have a caliper you should measure the bullets over all length a bit at a time until its set just right. Then if you run the rounds thru the crimper you should do it very little. Its less stress on the metal from working it and its really just meant to roll the lip closed after loading and not to crimp. But good luck and email me if you want some more help.

[MtnWalker]

Doc, Thanks for your input. I think I have that problem taken care of. I have a new one, though.

I went to resize and de-prime some fired 44 Mag brass the other night. They were sticking, stuttering, when I was trying to lift them up into the press. I was using the same lube as always. I looked inside the die to see if it was ruseted at all because they are over 20 yrs old and haven't been used in quite a while. No rust. I don't recall having this problem with them when I first got them. Anything I should check/look for?

Thanks,
MtnWalker