Bullet Drops Inside Case When Seating

[shield]

Need to resize. I had the same thing happen once when I was checking my bell and had forgot to resize first. Took me a few minutes to realize it .

 

[fredj338]

Need to resize. I had the same thing happen once when I was checking my bell and had forgot to resize first. Took me a few minutes to realize it .

I don't understand how this happens. There are distinct steps to reloading. You can't decap w/o sizing, so how does this happen? You could use a univ decapper, but why, it's an extra step that adds nothing to the process but time. For guys having such issues, you need to go back & read the book on reloadign steps & follow them. SImple mistakes for sure, but often those are the ones that can bite you. I know guys hate reading instructions, but w/ reloading, it really is important to follow directions.

 

[lebomm]

It is just possible that you have a .38/.357 expander plug in your die, which would allow the .355-.356" bullets to slip into the case, flare or no. Measure the diameter of your expander BELOW the flaring portion, it should measure about .352 to .354" to grip a 9mm bullet. If it comes up .354-.356", it's for a .38. The actual flaring then allows the insertion of a bullet w/o shaving.

Hope this helps
Larry

 

[Filibogado]

Bullet Drops Inside Case When Seating - PROBLEM SOLVED, Sort of.. ...

I wish to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. I think I have my seating problem solved, although I am not yet convinced that my final product is perfect. For example, the bullet is finally sitting on the resized case to within a hair of the lower portion of the circumferential red line vis-a-vis the rim. If I flared it less, the bullet would probably fall off unless it is perfectly centered. Also, the insertion depth is correct (checked using a digital caliper) except that in pushing the bullet down, the pressure I apply on the handle feels so light and with almost no resistance. I was expecting more resistance but the bullet just slides in as if it has been lubricated with petroleum jelly. Is the flare still too wide, I wonder...? The same goes with the 4th die which is a crimping die - I can feel the die applying pressure with the press handle all the way down. But when I visually examine the bullet, I can't for the life of me see where the crimp went. It could be where the rim ends and the lead begins but its hard to tell. Perhaps I need to post pictures to illustrate all of the above.

The point I'm making is despite my having watched dozens of YouTube and Lee Precision videos prior to reloading my first bullet a week ago, I am still far from being proficient with this hobby. It requires a very high learning curve, which can only come from the advice and counsel of experienced reloaders like all of you. I also purchased books like "Lee Precision ABC's of Reloading 7th Edition" by Bill Chevalier, as well as "Modern Reloading 2nd Edition" by Richard Lee, plus a host of other reloading publications. But trying to learn reloading by reading books is like teaching a kid how to swim by throwing him a how-to pamphlet instead of physically holding him up until he learns to float.

In the final analysis, there is no substitute for experience, both my own and reloaders like you. My own touch and feel is my best guide as I grow into this hobby, as I'm finding that adjustments are unique to me and my reloader. For example, one video says back out the die 1/2 turn, another says 1 full turn, yet another says don't back out at all. For me the sweet spot is my own turn based on what my senses tell me as I continue making these ever-infinitisimal die adjustments.

Again, sorry for the long post, but this is how I want to express my gratitude to the posters whole guided me to my very own, home-brewn ultimate reloading adjustments.

I hope you don't mind - I will be back for more advice & instructions in due course. In the meantime, if you want to discuss the aphrodisiac qualities of "balut", fire away!

Fil

 

[raytsmith]

I've been having similar issues with nickel plated R-P 38 special cases. I think they are made thinner than the brass cases, but haven't measured them yet.
Jacketed bullets don't actually drop in, but on most of them, you can easily press the bullet into the case with finger pressure. And on some of them, I can grab the bullet with my fingers and pull it back out.
I know I'm sizing them correctly because I ran appx. 300 brass cases through, then ran the nickel ones back through a second time. All brands of brass cases resized just fine, but the nickel RP cases are very loose with the same jacketed bullet.
I'll try the nickel cases with cast bullets - that extra .001 might keep the bullet from sliding around until it gets crimped. Getting a consistent oal with jacketed bullets in these cases is near impossible.

 

[nedlate]

I think you need to find a friend that reloads so you can set the dies up and do some reloading together to get comfortable with it. That is what I did and it really helped. (And at the risk of sounding really stupid-those are 9MM casings aren't they?)
Ed

 

[rwsmith]

Keep us posted

I hope you don't mind - I will be back for more advice & instructions in due course. In the meantime, if you want to discuss the aphrodisiac qualities of "balut", fire away!

Fil

Sure thing. Keep us posted. It sounds like you're making some progress.

 

[parabarbarian]

If you are unclear on any part of what you read in the manuals then consider a reloading class. Check with the local gun stores, clubs and/or ranges for availability. The body parts you save could be your own.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Tried to skim through and don't see it mentioned but if this is a repeat then please ignore.

The loaded cartridge on the left in the first pic shows WAY too much crimp to the point it almost looks like it was crimped with a roll crimp die instead of a taper crimp. That brass is way over worked and may split the first time it is shot.

 

[novalty]

Agree with Maximumbob54, the loaded round on the left looks like a roll-crimp die was used instead of a taper crimp. Are you shooting these in a revolver or semi-auto?

 

[Maximumbob54]

A second look at that other pics shows zero sign of sizing. The first pics you can at least see where the sizing die went down to the shell holder.

 

[MikeChap]

I have always used Lee Dies and had wonderful results with them, I also have 2 reloading manuals (Lyman and Hornady) and always open them to what I am reloading. You may think that reading the manuals after 2 years of reloading is dumb but I can catch the mistakes before I run them through, If I use my mind to recall the directions then I have just made my first mistake. I always use my micrometer on bullets and brass. Also always have another guy that is experienced in reloading to come over and help, sometimes directions can mix you up and that person can keep it simple to understand.

 

[TMair]

Really

I realize this is an old thread but I have to comment, I am having this same problem with jacketed bullets, I have been reloading for several years so yes I know how to set up dies, anyway I can't believe no one here asked questions, just told the poor guy to crack a book. I am honestly wondering if lee messed up on some of their resizing dies.

 

[Fishslayer]

anyway I can't believe no one here asked questions, just told the poor guy to crack a book. I am honestly wondering if lee messed up on some of their resizing dies.

Did you read the thread?

 

[Rule3]

I realize this is an old thread but I have to comment, I am having this same problem with jacketed bullets, I have been reloading for several years so yes I know how to set up dies, anyway I can't believe no one here asked questions, just told the poor guy to crack a book. I am honestly wondering if lee messed up on some of their resizing dies.

Seriously??

A 4 year old thread and your first post?

Of course it's LEES fault.