Baffled

[Magload]

I bought a S.A. 9mm R.O. (full size) late last year and can tell you it doesn't have the generous chamber most plastic semi-auto's have. My R.O. wouldn't fully chamber some reloads like the OP's, mine though ejected easily. Took the rounds home and every one of them failed to fully seat in my Dillion case gauge, usually with the rim slightly proud. Those rounds went to the range next trip and ran fine in a Glock 26. I ran 50 rounds through the R.O. that had passed the case gauge. No failures.
My fired 9mm brass, come to think of it, all my semi-auto comes from every range around here for 50 miles. I have no clue what fired it, how long it laid on the ground or how many times it was stepped on. I'm bound to get a out of shape piece of brass that won't size correctly every now and then.
If I'm shooting a match I run all the reloads I'm using through the case gauges. If I'm just plinking it becomes good practice clearing a jam.
Oh, I use a RCBS 3 die carbide set for all my pistol calibers.

Yes this S. A. 9mm RO Champion has the bull match grade barrel and yes the chamber is tight. I went ahead and got gauge and a under sizes re sizer along with 200 new Hornandy cases.

 

[yeti]

Good. Let us know how it works, ML.

The U-die should allow use of any decent once fired range brass, but the high quality stuff is nice, too.
I suggest using a light spritz of OneShot case lube before resizing.

 

[Magload]

Good. Let us know how it works, ML.

The U-die should allow use of any decent once fired range brass, but the high quality stuff is nice, too.
I suggest using a light spritz of OneShot case lube before resizing.

Thanks I like Oneshot and use it petty much on everything. Helps my bad shoulder when sizing. Don

 

[fredj338]

If your oal is correct for your bullet/barrel, Its the mixed brass. Like Collo, I have the same issue in my 1911/9mm. Ammo that happily runs in my glock will occasionally choke on my 1911. The issue is the thicker brass in some case, particularly at the case head/rim area. Unless you pass thru size, the entire case head/rim cant be sized to uniform dia. So get a case gage or segregate your brass or both. A pass thru sizer will also solve this.

 

[Rule3]

Again, Glock 9mm barrels do not bulge brass. Perhaps only if they are +P+

 

[Nevada Ed]

+1 post 16 & 18.

"Other brass" can have been fired in a unsupported area.........
that is why pick up cases need to be inspected before using.

I have a metal stand that is used to hold drill bits and it works great for finding cases that are "Blown out".

Glad to see you got er fixed.

 

[Magload]

+1 post 16 & 18.

"Other brass" can have been fired in a unsupported area.........
that is why pick up cases need to be inspected before using.

I have a metal stand that is used to hold drill bits and it works great for finding cases that are "Blown out".

Glad to see you got er fixed.

Thank Ed I like the idea using the drill bit holder O am going to look at some of my cases now. I have so many 9mm cases that keeping problem one is not worth the problems in this new gun. Don

 

[dave201]

I have found using Lot numbers, same head stamp, staying away from range brass and using each lot for one gun works for both accuracy and function. Accurate case gauges, mics and good records work wonders taking the guess work out. Firing 45 thru my 1928 Thompsons, results in brass that can no longer be used for anything else. Range brass may be worn out, with an Incipient Case-Head Separation waiting in line the next time your lite one off .

 

[BruceM]

Time to buy a Lee Factory Crimp die!

Yep, that's exactly what needs to be done-buy the universal problem fixer by Lee. The only fly in the ointment is that the problem turns out to be cases which are bulged at the opposite end of the case. Maybe, it's just a little smarter to do a little thinking and measuring rather than just running to the nearest purveyor of reloading equipment and spending your $'s on more equipment that turns out to be unnecessary.

Depending on how badly the cases are "Glocked", a pass-thru sizing die may or may not solve your problem.

Bruce

 

[Vortec MAX]

Yep, that's exactly what needs to be done-buy the universal problem fixer by Lee. The only fly in the ointment is that the problem turns out to be cases which are bulged at the opposite end of the case. Maybe, it's just a little smarter to do a little thinking and measuring rather than just running to the nearest purveyor of reloading equipment and spending your $'s on more equipment that turns out to be unnecessary.

Depending on how badly the cases are "Glocked", a pass-thru sizing die may or may not solve your problem.

Bruce

Oh boy. Here we go. Ya all had to bring up that dang LEE FCD again.

Mike

 

[Magload]

Yep, that's exactly what needs to be done-buy the universal problem fixer by Lee. The only fly in the ointment is that the problem turns out to be cases which are bulged at the opposite end of the case. Maybe, it's just a little smarter to do a little thinking and measuring rather than just running to the nearest purveyor of reloading equipment and spending your $'s on more equipment that turns out to be unnecessary.

Depending on how badly the cases are "Glocked", a pass-thru sizing die may or may not solve your problem.

Bruce

Bruce you are right I already have a FCD from lee I only buy their 4 die sets and it does not fix the problem. These cases are hard to id with a mic but will show up using a case gauge. I was using the guns barrel and that is better as it is tight but would like to keep the gun in one piece. I normally send about 50 rounds down range everyday and come home and reload 50 during the day. Don

 

[Magload]

Oh boy. Here we go. Ya all had to bring up that dang LEE FCD again.

Mike

I wonder if Lee knew how much discussion this die was going to cause when they made it? Don

 

[dave201]

There's a lot more to stuffing cases than powder, primers, bullets.
I have tried the range brass, used brass auction route, and found out it's not worth the time messing with unknows.
If I am going to work up a load, the less variables in the mix, the better the end result. Maybe some just like to throw lead in various directions, unjam things, failures to feed, stove pipes, splitting cases that are hard as glass. I do anneal my brass, but it's done only as needed. Good, safe reloads are the goal, so stick to quality not quantity.

 

[noylj]

The solution to chambering problems is always the same:
Take the barrel out of the gun. Drop rounds in until you find one that won't chamber. Take that round and "paint" the bullet and case black with Magic Marker or other marker. Drop round in barrel (or gage) and rotate it back-and-forth a few times.
Remove and inspect the round:
1) Scratches in the ink on bullet--COL is too long
2) Scratches in the ink on edge of the case mouth--insufficient crimp
3) Scratches in the ink just below the case mouth--too much crimp, you're crushing the case
4) Scratches in the ink on case at base of bullet--bullet seated crooked due to insufficient case expansion (not case mouth flare) or improper seating stem fit
5) Scratches in the ink on case just above extractor groove--case bulge not removed during sizing. May need a bulge buster (this is the BEST use of the Lee pistol FCD).

 

[rwsmith]

I just made a ghastly discovery....

I know that 'some pistol chambers are short'. How short is short? I've got a Shield and a Kel tec P11. I couldn't get any reloaded ammo to work in them. After some work and experiments I've determined that I can't load RN ammo longer than 1.120". My full size 3rd gen will eat anything. I got these compact pistols and YOW! Now I'm really limited in the COAL of the ammo I produce. I don't want to have a separate ammo for compacts. I shoot LSWCs in my 3rd gen, but it's going to be a real job to get these to work in the small pistols.

Anyway I think 1.120 inches is REALLY short for an ammo that has a maximum length of 1.169".

 

[Joe A.]

The SA Range Officer Compacts are known to often have too tight chambers, both 9mm and 45acp. My RO Compact 45 had problems with some factory rounds. My reloads chambered and passed the plunk test fine. So it isn't always a reloading issue.

After a trip to SA, the pistol now chambers all rounds.

Joe

 

[Magload]

The solution to chambering problems is always the same:
Take the barrel out of the gun. Drop rounds in until you find one that won't chamber. Take that round and "paint" the bullet and case black with Magic Marker or other marker. Drop round in barrel (or gage) and rotate it back-and-forth a few times.
Remove and inspect the round:
1) Scratches in the ink on bullet--COL is too long
2) Scratches in the ink on edge of the case mouth--insufficient crimp
3) Scratches in the ink just below the case mouth--too much crimp, you're crushing the case
4) Scratches in the ink on case at base of bullet--bullet seated crooked due to insufficient case expansion (not case mouth flare) or improper seating stem fit
5) Scratches in the ink on case just above extractor groove--case bulge not removed during sizing. May need a bulge buster (this is the BEST use of the Lee pistol FCD).

Your #5 hit it right on the Xring. The bulge is right above the rim and the standard resizing die will not remove it because of the beveled mouth of the die. Don

 

[Magload]

The SA Range Officer Compacts are known to often have too tight chambers, both 9mm and 45acp. My RO Compact 45 had problems with some factory rounds. My reloads chambered and passed the plunk test fine. So it isn't always a reloading issue.

After a trip to SA, the pistol now chambers all rounds.

Joe

Thanks Joe I might go that route if I don't cure the problem myself with finding what it likes. i do know it likes the Hornady Critical Defense that I like for EDC. I just need practice rounds for it. Don

 

[Vortec MAX]

Your #5 hit it right on the Xring. The bulge is right above the rim and the standard resizing die will not remove it because of the beveled mouth of the die. Don

I can't believe I'm going to do this... but here it goes.

Lee's FCD carbide sizer gets a little farther down on 9mm cases than my RCBS sizing die. It smooths most of the bulging out that happens around the base of the case.

Admitting you use a FCD on this forum is like admitting you ride a moped or like fat ladies. Let the flaming begin.

Mike

 

[Magload]

I can't believe I'm going to do this... but here it goes.

Lee's FCD carbide sizer gets a little farther down on 9mm cases than my RCBS sizing die. It smooths most of the bulging out that happens around the base of the case.

Admitting you use a FCD on this forum is like admitting you ride a moped or like fat ladies. Let the flaming begin.

Mike

No flaming from me Mike I have done all three and two of them are fun as long as your friends don't see you doing it. I fact I rode a moped to work for 4 years while stationed in GTMO.