[Cletis]

I was loading 45 ACP which was going ok until I changed from lead to FMJ. About one out of 5 would leave a crease or a wrinkle in the side of the shell under the bullet. The 400 lead bullets came out fine. I tried to set the dies again, but that did'nt help. The overall length looks ok and the bullets chamber and eject from my USP and 1911. What's the problem here? Thanks

[Sisco]

Sounds like your crimp is too tight; it's trying to crimp the case before the bullet is fully inserted. Back the seating die off a couple turns then reset the bullet seating depth. Back the seating stem out and with the ram still raised screw the die in until it touches the case. You can give it a quarter turn or so more for a tighter crimp if needed. Screw the bullet seating stem back in until it touches the bullet.
You might also check to see how much flare your case mouth has, it might need a little more.

[mparris71]

Very slight Wrinkle? could be one of two things. Too heavy of a crimp (bad thing) or From what I understand the sizer die, sizes just under bullet DIA for a tight bullet fit which causes a very sight bluge where the bullet base stops in the case. which is a good thing. Lee Factory crimp dies Post sizes and gets rid of the "wrinkle" plus with the crimp die you can't put too heavy of a crimp to bluge the case, But a very heavy crimp can hurt accuracy.

[bompa]

Seat and crimp in seperate operations..
No problems..

[Cletis]

Thanks The crimp die was too tight I guess. Backed it off half a turn and loaded 20 that looked great. Should I trash the loaded ones that are crimped too tight? Even with the wrinkle they chamber ok. Only have about 30.

[mparris71]

Best advise is "if in doubt throw em out"
MP

[Johnny Guest]

Seat and crimp as searate operations. An extra step, sure, but entirely worth it.

Except for cosmetic reasons, the little "crease" you mention is not harmful, so long as the loaded cartridges chamber properly. I trust you are not using HOT loads. ;)

It is nice to have one of the cartridge check guages. I simply use a spare barrel and drop each loaded ctg into the chamber. If it makes a soft <click>, this is the case mouth contacting the front of the chamber, and it is crimped enough. If there's a dull <thud>, then you either have bullet metal shaved off or you need more crimp. If you can't get the rounds to chamber properly, don't use 'em. No seven- to ten-cent cartridge is worth risking damage to your pistol--or your corporeal body!

Best,
Johnny

[Sisco]

If you don't already have a bullet puller you should get one. You'd at least be able to salvage the bullets & powder.