[ny32182]

So I just got done shooting my first batch of pistol loads last week (9mm). Everything ran smoothly, so all that research paid off (thanks guys).

I do have a question though; the "ring" where I can see that the sizing of the case has stopped is further forward of the case head than it is when I full length resize rifle brass.

I don't have a true case gage for 9mm either, so just hand-cycled the first 40 or so through the actual pistol through which I was going to shoot them (G19). This appeared to work fine; I just need to know for sure that the "full length resize" in the "almost-straight-walled-case" pistol world is really not supposed to be quite as full-length as it is in the rifle world from which I come? Thanks...

[243winxb]

Your OK. Not sizing to the extractor groove is normal. Tungsten carbide flrs dies should never touch the shell holder. The ring in the die also has a bevel, so near inpossible to size to the extractor cut.

[ny32182]

My die does touch the shellholder. The supplied die adjustment instructions also indicate that this should happen... do opinions vary? Why would I not want the shellholder to touch the die?

[rcmodel]

The 9mm Luger case is not straight.
It actually has a .014" taper from mouth to rim.

Most carbide dies cannot size a tapered case, so you end up with the ring that shows near the head.

Do some measuring and you might find the case is O.K. near the head but a bit smaller then the .391" spec in front of the ring you see.

rc

[The Bushmaster]

I use Lee carbide dies and they are adjusted to the shell holder. The only cases I have ever noticed a ring forming at or near the extraction groove is on cheap (read notsogood) cases. Even then I ignore it.

[something vague]

Like has been said, if you're using carbide dies you shouldn't adjust the die down hard to the shell holder. This can cause the carbide insert to unlodge itself after a while of F/L sizing. If you're using steel sizer dies than yes, adjust down to the shell holder.

Instead of cycling loaded rounds through your gun (a pontentially dangerous practise) pull your barrel out and use your chamber as the case gauge. Drop a factory loaded round in the chamber and take note where the case head ends up. Then you can check your brass after sizing to see if it is within spec of your guns chamber. You can also use this with a loaded round to verify that your OAL is within spec as well. This is much safer than cycling rounds through your gun, which can seat the bullet further without you realizing it. Once that round is chambered and shot you could end up with much higher pressure than anticipated.

[ny32182]

I was actually getting two birds with one stone, and checking for setback on the hand cycled rounds as well... on the ones I measured, probably 15 or so, it seemed like I got around .001" or less of setback from one chambering.

[loadedround]

Tungsten Carbide(TC) dies hace a ring of TC inside a steel bodied die to size fired cases back to the proper size. TC is a slippery by nature metallic substance that is also brittle compared to other metals. Bang a TC die on a shell holder and you WILL crack this metal ring. Every set of TC dies I have ever seen, regardless of manufacture, has instructions not to allow the die to touch the shell holder. Standard steel dies are quite the opposite and the instructions do state that the die should just touch the shell holder. My very first set of TC dies made by Lyman for the 45 ACP, had the sizer die ring broken by not following the instructions, so I learned the hard way. Lyman did replace it however. :)

[ny32182]

I'll double check when I get home, but I could swear up and down right now that the directions say the die should touch the shell holder. Also my die is not actually TC material ring, it is a Hornaday Custom Grade New Dimension "Titanium Nitride" die... could that make a difference?

[rcmodel]

Yes, the Hornady die actually has the body taper built in.

However, there is nothing set in stone that says you have to adjust it down against the shell holder if it is over-sizing the cases.

Being tapered, you can back it out a little and get less sizing near the head that makes the ring.

Use your calipers and your SAAMI cartridge drawing in your loading manual and see if it is sizing more then necessary when adjusted all the way down.

If it is, back it off a little until it isn't.

rc

[ny32182]

Sounds good; I will try measuring some of the dimensions when I get a chance then. I've prepped 400 more cases since my initial shooting session last week, so hopefully they will be in spec enough to not cause any problems.