Sizing question .

[mikld]

Failure for the cartridge to enter the chamber? Incomplete chambering? Different problems, different fixes. Case sizing is only one remedy for incomplete chambering (round round feeding but not entering chamber all the way)...

Any time there is a fit issue, measure. Measure the case OD in a few places, looking for a bulge. Measure OAL to see it the bullet may be hitting the end of the chamber or rifling.

 

[243winxb]

Sort brass, scrap bulged ones.

LEE- The Bulge Buster is only for use with 380 ACP, 10mm, 40 S&W, 41 AE (Use 40 S&W Factory Crimp Die), 45 ACP, 45 GAP, and 45 Win Mag calibers ONLY!

We do not have a solution for bulge busting 9mm Luger brass as the cases are tapered.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

When I am working with any pistol or revolver brass after wet tumbling and I notice a case that is either harder or easier to resize, it is set aside and more closely examined. Visual, then typically into a LYMAN Handgun Ammo Checker, a case gauge or even measured with calipers (these for informative purposes: most get dumped)...

I'm even more anal with rifle brass, even .223/5.56!

Much safer to toss anything questionable, a good way to catch the split case or the truant 380 acp or 9x18 MAK hiding among all those 9mms, etc.

Cheers!

P.S. It helps to have enough brass to not sweat a couple cases every so often: it took a while to get there, but it has been fun!

 

[WR Moore]

Having gone through the malfunction issue with a good .45, if it's an ammo problem, the problem is likely bullet setback when it strikes the feed ramp/chamber roof*. Could also be an OAL problem, a plunk test would rule out bulged cases. FWIW, my BHP will eat anything any other 9s reject.

I've come to really like the taper crimp seater combination die. As the bullet is reaching full seating depth, the case mouth is digging into the jacket/plating and getting a firm grip on the bullet to prevent setback. You don't want to overdo this, but it does work.

Case bulge in 9 mm seems to be largely the fault of poor feed ramp/chamber design. Given a good chamber/feed ramp (and good brass) even proof load level ammo won't bulge the brass.

*After changing the die set, expander plug dimension and multiple adjustments on the (separate) taper crimp die, my problem turned out to be the brass. Most .45 brass has a case wall thickness of 0.010-0.012 in, the brass that gave me fits had case walls 0.008 in thick.

 

[AlHunt]

Definitely do the plunk test. Double check that the bullet isn't hitting the barrel lands. Sometimes there's a sharp step where the rifiling begins instead of tapering to full depth. My Tisas 1911 has no throat at all and I have to be conscious of bullet type and seating depth.

 

[Nevada Ed]

A more accurate description of the "failed to feed" issue might be helpful. That term can mean many different things, each with different causes.

I had a C9 9mm pistol that shot everything, until one day I loaded
some coated lead RN bullets that were said to be .356" dia.

With very light Target loads with medium slow powders, my slide
would fail to go back into battery.

I had to seat this bullet from 1.12" down to 1.10", for them to cycle
do to some "Fat" bullets, from the company, from the box of 500
for the slides energy to "Finish" the chambering "job".

All the slim bullets , passed the plunk test.