[lezmark]

I reloaded a couple hundred mixed casing 45acp over the weekend. When I was done, I dropped them all one by one in a Hornady case gage. I ended up with a significant number of Speer and Federal (all Winchester were great!) shells that would not easily drop. Hmm. I took apart a number of them (I use a Dillon 550b) and ran them thru again. Same problem!? I tried sizing the casing and then dropped them in the gage (before the next stage) :(and they slipped right in. So somewhere in the process of putting the bullet in (I have a separate crimper, all new dies from Dillon) something funny is happening. Anyone know what? Could those particular brands have thicker brass walls that make a difference?

[cheygriz]

I know I'll get flamed for saying this, but I honestly think the LEE Factory Crimp Die will solve your problem. :):)

[lezmark]

Help me understand why 95% of the ones "out of spec" are limited to two prominent brands and why the Winchester is 100% good?

[Offfhand]

The ultimate "case gage" is your gun. Will they go bang?? Try and see.

[243winxb]

More Taper Crimp is Needed.

[1SOW]

This is just an 'observation' I've made due to sorting headstamps '9mm'.
Winchester, PPU and R&P (group A ) load differently in my Lee turret press than FC, Speer,CCI & Blazer (group B).

The group 'A' bullets require a noticeably 'stronger' handle pull to seat bullets to the same depth as the 'B' bullets. I've measured case mouth thickness as carefully as I can, and both groups check the same. My conclusion is that the WIN (A) cases are "harder" than the FC (B) cases. 45ACP case thickness may vary from what I found in 9mm, but I'd bet the brass composition/hardness is the same.

All this may mean nothing, but it's only the "B" (softer brass) group you're having trouble with.

Your full length sizing die/taper crimp die may have something to do with it. I'd triple check the die set-up. Measure the 'bad' case mouths and compare with the 'good' case mouths.
I'd also remove the barrel and do the cartridge 'drop-in' chamber check.

Good luck

[Jim Watson]

Federal brass is a bit thicker than Winchester. I keep some set aside for good bullet pull on light JHPs. I guess since Speer and Federal are both under ATK the brass may come out of the same mill.

As said, if they chamber check and shoot in your gun, they will do ok.

[bds]

lezmark, first things first.

1. Can you measure some unloaded bullet diameters to see if they are sized consistently?

2. Can you then measure the Speer/Federal loaded cases that are not easily dropping vs Winchester loaded cases that are at the case neck?

This will tell us if there is dimensional consistency of the bullets and difference between the Speer/Federal vs Winchester at the case neck.

Once we have more information, we can go from there. :)