New to reloading ???

[Barryd]

I'm just starting down the road to reloading and have some questions. I have read many threads on this site but am asking anyway.

I will be loading 9mm Lugar rounds to be fired in a XD9SC. I have lots of once fired brass that I fired and also lots of range pick up brass that a friend has gotten for me.

I purchased a single stage press and a carbide die set, an electronic scale, powder measure. case trimmer, Hornady digital caliper, and misc small tools.

?#1 Have a Lyman 49th ed reloading book and ABC of reloading. The Lymans shows length of.754 and a trimmed case length of .751. I have measured 20 or so cases of different manufactrues and none of the measure over .749. What is the proper length?

?#2 Can someone suggest a case length guage to purchase?

?#3 I have a Primer Pocket cleaner, do I need a Flash Hole deburring tool?

Thanks, I'm sure I will have questions later.

Barry

 

[jfh]

Quick Answers:

INFO: Straightwall / handgun brass shrinks, not stretches--until you head off into match ammo esoterica, you won't need to worry about trimming.

1. at .749 or less case LOA, you should be fine--for plinking loads at less than MAX. Range / used-mixed brass is called that for a reason. sort it for damage / clean thoroughly, then set it aside for reloading

2. The Wilson-brand gauges are excellent, IMO. People will also tell you--and it is true--that you can use your (semiauto) firearm's chamber as a case length gauge--but it really is not the same; case length gauges check numerous SAAMI cartridge specs, whereas a given chamber may not be SAMMI in all respects.

3. No, and you should NOT need the primer pocket cleaner IF you do NOT deprime before reloading, and you will not need the Flash Hole deburring tool.

The questions you are raising typically come because of confusion over the tool needs and sometimes-vague commentary that is intended to address general knowledge issues in reloading, and / or rifle cartridge reloading. The two (handgun and rifle) workflows are enough different that what is said to be needed for rifle (bottleneck) cartridge reloading workflows does not necessarily apply to handgun reloading--particularly for handgun reloading for bottom-feeders in general and 9mmP in particular.

IMO--after you get the hang of 9mmP reloading with your SS press--say after 200-rounds--and have some sense of the workflow and a bit of the issues involved, you may want to upgrade to a turret.

AND--I would definitely advise you to get a balance beam scale, and start with that, unless your electronic one is more expensive / with its own power supply adapter, and not just battery powered. The cheaper ones are not necessarily junk--but they do drift as the batteries go down, even if they work well in other respects.

Jim H.

 

[rcmodel]

I have measured 20 or so cases of different manufactrues and none of the measure over .749.

You have to measure cases after sizing, but before expanding and belling.

Cases get bigger & shorter when fired.
Cases get smaller and longer again after sizing.

But in any case, you do not need to trim 9mm cases.

Boy! Sure a lot of "cases" in that post!!

rc

 

[Barryd]

Jim thanks for the info.

I will order the Wilson guage. My scale is a pretty good Lyman with a 110 volt power cord as well as the 9v battery.

Barry

 

[Walkalong]

This Wilson works well for me.

I have never trimmed a 9MM case.

 

[Barryd]

RC,

Just in case I forgot to mention, I did Size the case before measuring the length of the case.

Thanks for the reply.

Barry

 

[Walkalong]

Unlike some folks, seems this fella came prepared rc & Jim.

 

[Barryd]

Walkalong

Thats the same guage I was just looking at in Midways catalog.

Thanks

Barry

 

[lykoris]

why not just use the barrel of your pistol rather than spend money on a case gauge?

 

[Walkalong]

If you want your reloads to work in any gun with a properly made chamber, using a gauge is the way to go.

If not, using the barrel is fine.

 

[jfh]

Walkalong, we have here a newbie who is a mind-reader as well, I guess. Or, maybe he really is doing his homework and just doesn't like to type.

Good planning, BarryD.

Jim H.

 

[Barryd]

Hey,, I'm no mind reader. Just a retired guy that has lots of time to check things out before getting myself in trouble.
When I do something I want it to be right or as close to right as I can make it.
I plan on getting another 9mm so don't want to use the XDSC as a guage.
Just got the Midway catalog in the mail yesterday.

Barry

 

[lgbloader]

Fella's,

I think think Barry is gonna get along just fine.

LGB

 

[LiveLife]

Barryd, I am speechless - Great job!

 

[JimKirk]

Thank goodness for someone who is prepared and who listens for they are few and far between.

Barry... sounds like you did your homework! If I was passing out stars, you'd get one.

Jimmy K

 

[Crashbox]

I just ordered a couple of L.E. Wilson gages myself- too bad they don't come with a free box of Aplets & Cotlets