[Red_Dog_Leader]

Hi all,

This last batch of 50 9MM cartridges today the OAL was varying .012.

Now I’ve probably have ~ 5,000 rnds thru the 9MM dies since I started a year or so ago reloading.
Can’t remember this much of a difference.


While I was loading this last batch and noticed this difference in length I tried to make sure my stroking of the ram was consistent. Noticed the die holder moving up and down some, no more than it always does…

This difference seems a little more than I should normally have??? And is .012 something to worry about?

Brass was mixed, bullets from Mike @ MC.

Time to tighten up the press itself?

TIA, T

[243winxb]

If using lead/cast bullets, you bullet seating die could need a good cleaning. or is MC FMJ full metal jacket OR FMC full metal case and not a brand?

[Red_Dog_Leader]

They are lead.

I have been meaning to take the dies down and do a clean up...

Thanks.

[jfh]

I vote on the die cleanup--Mike's bullets are good insofar as lube goes, but dies do build up.

FWIW, Gun Scrubber / brake fluid works fine.

Jim H.

[delta5]

Are you sure you are dialing out all the up and down play in the turret when you set up the die? I had that problem with my classic turret press when I first bought it. When the instructions say to screw in the die until it touchs the shellholder, you have to keep turning until the play is taken out and then a bit more. Lee doesnt do a very good job with their instruction sheets. It will drive you nuts until you call them and they tell you about it. The play has to be there so the turret will turn freely.

[Iheartguns]

Are you sure you are dialing out all the up and down play in the turret when you set up the die? I had that problem with my classic turret press when I first bought it. When the instructions say to screw in the die until it touchs the shellholder, you have to keep turning until the play is taken out and then a bit more. Lee doesnt do a very good job with their instruction sheets. It will drive you nuts until you call them and they tell you about it. The play has to be there so the turret will turn freely.

Okay... let me clarify. I also own a turret press and, while I haven't noticed the variances that the OP mentioned, I HAVE notice a bit of play in the turret.

So, delta5, you're saying that when you're installing the dies into the turret, whenever the instructions say run the die into the turret until it touches the shell holder, you KEEP running it down until the turret stops lifting?

Then certain dies (the bullet seating die, for example) then say to back the die out three turns. So - you run the die all the way until the turret stops moving THEN back it out three turns?

Thanks. I've often wondered about this.

Andy

[delta5]

Thats the way I understand it. My OAL's were all over the place until I dialed out the turret head play. Now its very consistent.

[cinteal]

Definitely clean the dies. Shooting lead is cheaper, but you have to do a little more maintenance on your equipment due to the lube and sometimes lead shavings. Any of the scrubber, blaster, aerosols work great. I bought a bunch of Tipton scrubber stuff on sale for that very purpose.


My OAL's were all over the place until I dialed out the turret head play

I have turret for pistol. The case is not going any farther into the die than what the shellholder will allow. After that, the turret can play all it wants. Plus, you're not going to go to the shellholder in a seat/crimp die. Turret headplay has nothing to do with it. Yeah, they move. If you want perfect OAL go to a rock chucker for bullet seating. How much the turret is going to move depends on how tough it is to seat the bullet. This varies from case to case and from bullet to bullet.

I get inconsistancy from Lee bullet seating. 4 die set, right? (otherwise going to the shellholder ain't happening) It's the play in that o-ringed alluminum seater plug. I still use mine. It's a pistol. If the round will feed, don't get too hung up on .012. Good to see you paying that close attention, though.

[Red_Dog_Leader]

I appreciate all the replies.

After these last 50 rnds going to go to .40 loading. So I’ll clean those dies first….then I’ll scrub up the 9 dies.

Heck, this press needs a good dusting too…..:uhoh:

I just hate break’in the rhythm once I have some time to myself when the honey dos are out of the way.

[rcmodel]

You will often get inconstant OAL when loading mixed brass.

Some of it is harder then others, and bullet seating / neck tension will be much different on some then others.

rc

[Redhat]

If you measure 10 of your bullets how much different in length do you come up with?

[IDriveB5]

If you are using Lee dies, pull the o rings out before using a cleaner that is harsh on rubber.

[Big Daddy Grim]

Remove rings and clean gotta agree

[Uncle Chan]

I can't add much to this, except to say I've had similar problems with my LCT. I've learned to go slow and not speed the process. If I follow my own advise, my .223 will be 2.10-2.12. Any other variance is in the bullet itself. Then again, I just reload plunking ammo and as long as they fit in the mag, I don't worry too awful much. But, as RC says, I load mixed headstamps, Feds, LC, Win, REM, etc.

[RustyFN]

So, delta5, you're saying that when you're installing the dies into the turret, whenever the instructions say run the die into the turret until it touches the shell holder, you KEEP running it down until the turret stops lifting?
That will work for the sizing die and FCD but not the seating die. If you screw the seating die down until it touches the shell holder you will have some serious crimp. I would agree with the others about cleaning the die if you have been loading a lot of lead bullets. I don't see the little bit of play in the turret being a problem. I load four calibers on my CT and OAL has never been off more than .003 from where I want it.
Rusty

[Red_Dog_Leader]

If using lead/cast bullets, you bullet seating die could need a good cleaning.

I vote on the die cleanup--Mike's bullets are good insofar as lube goes, but dies do build up.

Took all the dies down, cleaned then polished ID's with a mop in the drill press.
Just finished up 100 rnds of the 125 TC lead... all were +/- .002.

Thanks for the tips, T