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Posted: 5/1/2014 9:27:47 AM EDT
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just got a new ruger sr1911 and decided to hand load for it.
encountered a strange problem I haven't seen before. I'm using new starline brass and hornady 230 gr. fmj's. the brass looked and miked out o.k., none of it out of round so I didn't re-size it, only flared it to accept the bullet. I noticed that maybe one out of ten finished cartridges have a slight buckle one side of the case where the bullet seats at the bottom. the round still fits properly in a Dillon case gage. the cartridge oal is 1.25". I'm using 5.9 gr. of unique (should chrono at 825 fps, using hornady data) and it don't believe it's a compressed load. any ideas on what's causing this problem? thanks. sorry, can't post pics. |
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Like a little bulge at the base of the bullet? That's a common problem with reloading straight walled pistol cases, regardless of the case mfr. It doesn't seem to effect feeding or accuracy. I load on a Dillon 650 and use a Lee Factory Crimp die at the final station. The Lee factory crimp has a carbide sizer inside that resizes the case to factory dimensions. It squares everything up and the bulge is gone. Ammo looks factory perfect.
lee factory crimp die |
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I think you guys nailed it.
that thought flitted briefly through my mind but I thought, nah too simple. I think i'll open up the flaring die a little more to see if I can get a straighter start on the bullet. I finish each round with a taper crimp using a redding die. I flat overlooked getting a lee factory crimp die, I have them for all my other calibers. 
one is on the way. they do work well. |
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Be ccareful about opening up the flaring. Too much flare over-works the brass, and can reduce neck tension. You want just enough flare to allow the bullet to seat.
My only other thought was maybe the brass was a teeny bit undersized, so the bullet gave it a more pronounced (and uneven) case bulge. That probably means plenty of neck tension! |
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Quoted:
Actually the bulge,if it is not excessive , is a good thing . In the Dillon instructions for their dies , that bulge acts as an area or shelf that will keep the bullet from slipping into the case and preserves bullet pull and OAL. Later John I think this is the correct assessment, however would like to see a pic. I get a bulge in most of my .45 ACP cases that do 2" groups at 25 yards. If it really bothers you, you can try one of these, I bet they work pretty well Lyman Expander Die |
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Quoted:
So, I was just reading about the carbide factory crimp die and was curious if this makes a large difference in the life of the brass due to that fact that you are resizing your brass again? There is half a dozen reloading die manufactures and only Lee thinks there is a need to size after seating. I case gauge all my rounds for competition and have no problems the Lee factory crimp die will fix. If everything is right the factory crimp die doesn't do anything except seat the bullet. If the bullet seats reasonably square the diameter of the case is smaller than the sizer ring. If your bullet isn't seating squarely you have another problem that needs fixed like getting a better shaped seater plug for the particular bullet you're loading. |
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