[goindeep]

Ok, I worked up some practice loads today with no primers and no powder...I tried to use the crimping die and after I do it i can still wiggle the bullet a little. I tried to seat it deeper and see if that made any difference and it didnt seem to make a difference. any suggestions? Will it be ok? Or am I doing something wrong?

[rcmodel]

Doing something wrong, but we need more details to help you figure out what it is.

The bullet should not move once it is seated & crimped.

What caliber are you reloading?
What kind of bullets?
Did you size the case before seating & crimping the dummy "practice" load?

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[BullSkater]

Either the bullets are to small or the cases need to be sized.

[Sharps Shooter]

I'll kind of need a hint as to what cartridge you're loading before I can be of much help.:confused:
And what do you mean by "practice loads?" Do you mean "practice" as in you're practicing the reloading steps by building dummy rounds. That's not a bad idea, it's just that I'm not following you.
But just to take a first stab at an answer for you, I'm guessing if your bullets are loose, for some reason your sizing die didn't resize your cases or case necks enough.

[goindeep]

I am reloading 300WSM and I have already run them through the resizer die...I feel like I have moved the crimping die down pretty good so that I have to apply a lot of force to get it to crimp...Using Barnes 168 grain TSX and Fereral brass. Dummy loads-for practice, this is all new to me.

[rcmodel]

If all is correct, the case neck tension alone should tightly hold the bullet in place without even crimping them.
Most folks wouldn't even crimp 300WSM for best accuracy.

It sounds like your sizing die isn't adjusted down far enough to re-size the neck of the case all the way to the shoulder.

Or the expanding plug on the decapping stem is way larger then it should be for .308 bullets.

Go back and run the press ram all the way up.
Now, screw the sizing die down until it bumps the shell holder. Give it another 1/8 turn and lock the lock ring.

Re-size another case and try that.

If that still doesn't give a tight bullet fit, your expander plug is too big, or your bullets are not .308" dia.

BTW: Are you sure you have .300WSM reloading dies, and not .300 Win. dies?

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[goindeep]

RC-positive they are 300 WSM...yesterday I was having the deprimer/resizer arm come out bc I didnt lube my cases...I fixed that today, Is it possible that I have the deprimer/resizer arm too shallow or too deep and if so, how do I know where it should be?

[goindeep]

The cases are also not allowing my encore to close all the way either.

[rcmodel]

Too shallow and the decapper pin won't knock the old primers out.

Too deep and it will hit the bottom of the case and either break the rod, or punch it back out of the way in some brands of dies.

Can you measure the expander plug with a mic or dial caliper and see if it runs about .305" - .306".
Not exactly sure what it should be on the .300WSM, because I believe they have pretty thick case neck walls.

The cases are also not allowing my encore to close all the way either.O.K. Go back and read my previous post about adjusting the sizing die. You are not full length sizing them all the way or they would fit your Contender.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[goindeep]

RC-Ok I read your other post and made the adjustment...they now fit in the gun...I am fixing to reseat one and see if it seats better...you say no crimp is necessary? Also, I deprimed/reprimed and resized about 20 cases...how can I unprime those live primers and can I resize those cases to the right size?

[goindeep]

Rc-OK I follwed your advice and IT WORKED...thanks so much...now what about those live primers in those wrongly sized cases?

[rcmodel]

Take the de-capping pin out of the expander plug stem and resize them.

If the pin doesn't come out, just back it out until it doesn't de-prime them, then re-adjust it when you get done.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[goindeep]

Thank you sir-you have saved me from becoming a drunk before I even finished learning how to reload. :banghead:

[rcmodel]

When you get to the bullet seating step, try this:

Put an empty case in the shell holder and raise the ram all the way up.

Screw the seating die in until you feel it touch the case. That is the beginning of the crimp section of the die.

Now, back it off (out) 1/4 to 1/2 turn, and lock the lock ring.

Now, adjust the seating stem down until you get the seating depth you want, and lock it down.
This will seat the bullets without crimping them.

You are good to go!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[goindeep]

So let me get this right...I do not need to use the crimping die?
Thanks for your time and patience RC.

[rcmodel]

There is no reason I can think of to crimp .300WSM for use in a single-shot pistol.

You need to try some uncrimped, and also some that are crimped.
You may find one or the other is noticably more accurate.

But your brass will last much longer if you don't crimp them.

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rcmodel

[FLORIDA KEVIN]

just make sure you handle uncrimped ammo carefully ! ifyou drop it on the tip it could move deeper in the case ! a light crimp will prevent this ! I believe it is possible to crimp as a separate step just back the bullet seater out and adjust the crimp die until you get the crimp you want ?! If i am out of line guys please correct me guys!!

[rcmodel]

If case neck tension is as it should be, you don't need a crimp to hold the bullet in place.

Dropping a round on the point will not move the bullet.

In short, there is no reason you have to crimp rifle cartridges, unless:
*You are loading for a semi-auto military rifle.
*You are loading for very heavy recoiling box-magazine calibers.
*You are loading for a lever-action or pump with a tube magazine.
*You have read Richard Lee's book where he is selling you crimping dies.
*You just want too, because it makes you all feel warm & fuzzy.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[The Bushmaster]

Don't crimp them...You're causing the case mouth to reopen...Resize them as the instructions say and set the seating die so it will not crimp but will seat the bullet to the correct COL...