Anew strange fix

gadabout · December 14 2021 07:30:26 AM MST

I have bin having trouble with feed issues and jams in general. What I am trying is to run the loaded round trough the sizing die with the primer remover out to force the case and bullet to line up and be slightly reduced. This is easy as the primer punch is already out as I have a universal primer remover setup in a different press. I did load some rounds in the mag and ran it through the cycling and all chambered and came out with no problems. These are the same rounds that all wouldn't chamber and stuck in the chamber. Just something to try and I am shooting them this morning. Craig

gadabout · December 14 2021 08:38:24 AM MST

Range not open due to air handling system failure. They think maybe this afternoon. As more testing I ran the rest of that 147g group through the sizing die and it really straightens them out. Craig

DoubleA · December 14 2021 08:59:35 AM MST

There is a problem somewhere in your process. I wouldnt be trying to correct an out of spec loaded cartridge with a sizing die.

Graybeard · December 14 2021 09:10:49 AM MST

Quote from: DoubleA on December 14 2021 08:59:35 AM MST
There is a problem somewhere in your process. I wouldnt be trying to correct an out of spec loaded cartridge with a sizing die.

I was thinking that, too. I'd think about checking the diameter of the bullets, make sure the seating die is set up correctly for the bullet type, etc. If they're not seating straight in, something isn't working as it should.

gadabout · December 14 2021 09:58:40 AM MST

Well I thought all that too but only loading for 45 years I can't think of anything I may have missed. It could be the 147g HST may be a little large but who knows. Craig

The_Shadow · December 14 2021 10:35:11 AM MST

Remember that the 9mm is a tapered case, the 147 grain Hornady has a long straight section of bullet. If you are seating them too deep they can push the brass outward at the base of the bullet.
That and a tight chambered barrel can cause your issue.

9mm has a long-loaded length 1.169", Hornady 147 grain is shown as 1.135", My suggestion is to try different seating lengths closer to the longer 1.169 that still fit in the magazines.
Some brands of brass are thicker than others...

DoubleA · December 14 2021 10:56:27 AM MST

Quote from: gadabout on December 14 2021 09:58:40 AM MST
Well I thought all that too but only loading for 45 years I can't think of anything I may have missed. It could be the 147g HST may be a little large but who knows. Craig

So is the bullet canted and not concentric? Just want to make sure Im understanding correctly. Those HSTs in 147 are very long for sure. I had a few that got sorted out of a mixed batch from American Reloading pulls. Any pics?

Im not sure that this is your problem but with flat base bullets in general I have moved to expanders that are ?stepped? like a Lyman M die. I think they are available in a number of formats now. (Lyman, Redding, NOE expanders) Everything just seems to line up better for me with the final product. I even have them in my Dillon machines. Several companies make aftermarket highly polished powder funnels/expanders with that profile. For those that use new brass or use wet stainless cleaning methods and use a Dillon these are a God send. Way less friction and resistance with these units!

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/expanders/expander-plug-pistol/357-x-353-p-exp-plug/

https://uniquetek.com/product/T1582

gadabout · December 14 2021 11:18:07 AM MST

Wow a lot of good information. My range is still down or I would test what I have and understand this when these are shot up I don't have anymore. I have tons of 115 and 124g I will use next. Thanks for all the infor I will let you know what happens. Craig

gadabout · December 14 2021 01:36:16 PM MST

Just got back from the range and all rounds shot good. It's not a perfect fix but better than unloading rounds!! Craig

The_Shadow · December 14 2021 05:05:49 PM MST

Craig one thing I like about my RCBS expander die the plug is longer than most of these ne powder through the expanders... This makes for straighter bullet insertion and a perfect neck tension to secure the bullets.

Seater plugs can be part of the issue if it is not fitting the style bullet correctly...

I have bought a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die 9x18mm (9mm Makarov) to pass through size 9mm cases but they pass fairly tightly, I need to get some diamond polishing compound and try to open the carbide ring up just a little to smooth that process up.

The base of the 9mm casing is 0.394" and the Makarov case is 0.392"

fltbed · December 14 2021 06:57:43 PM MST

Quote from: The_Shadow on December 14 2021 10:35:11 AM MST
Remember that the 9mm is a tapered case, the 147 grain Hornady has a long straight section of bullet. If you are seating them too deep they can push the brass outward at the base of the bullet.

I think what the Shadow was trying to say is...

Many 147 grain bullets have a long straight section and the Hornady bullets have a boat tail to alleviate the possible case bulge issue.

CtYankee · December 15 2021 12:25:58 PM MST

Standard de-capping/resizing dies usually squeeze the case down smaller than SAAMI specification to give you increased neck tension, therefore you solution may be making the cartridge diameter too small. Try using a Lee Factory Crimp Die it has a carbide ring at the base that resizes your case to SAAMI spec for a loaded cartridge as you push it up into the crimping area. This works well for plated and jacketed bullets, but with lead bullets it may down-size your lead bullet more than you want. But since you are using plated bullets, it may be worth trying, they are not expensive.

gadabout · December 15 2021 01:59:21 PM MST

I have never changed the bullet setter stem and have always used JHP bullets. It is something to check as this problem happens when the bullet it set. Bullet length is also a concern as I do have issues with some bullets being to long for the mag but setting lower I am concerned about raising pressure too much. I will stay away from 147g in 9mm for the time being. Craig

Graybeard · December 15 2021 03:22:56 PM MST

Quote from: gadabout on December 15 2021 01:59:21 PM MST
I have never changed the bullet setter stem and have always used JHP bullets. It is something to check as this problem happens when the bullet it set. Bullet length is also a concern as I do have issues with some bullets being to long for the mag but setting lower I am concerned about raising pressure too much. I will stay away from 147g in 9mm for the time being. Craig

I can?t remember which bullets I was using, but I had some jhp bullets that just didn?t like what should have been the correct side of the seating plug in my Dillon dies. I ended up flipping it to the flat side, started them carefully, and they worked fine. This could be part of the issue you are having.

I hope you figure it out and let us know.