Case lip crush issue

Status
Not open for further replies.
peterk1234

peterk1234

Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2017
Messages
272
I need some help. Cannot figure this one out for the life of me. It only happens when I load 38sp and 357 mag on my lnl. The flaring die does not slip into the case at times, sits on the edge of the case, then when i go to flare and dump powder I end up with the pic below.

I had this issue with my 38 special loading, but somehow the problem magically disappeared. I just set up my 357 on the Hornady, and now the problem is back. I am using a new flaring insert.

I think the issue has to do with the length of the cases, but the flaring die has plenty of initial flop so that it should center on the opening before the flaring begins.

What am I missing? I really do not want to start throwing one out every ten of my nickel plated brass away. Thanks Pete

20191118_183748.jpg
 
Last edited:
Your case isn't lining up with the die above it. I have found this to be fairly common with longer cases such as .38 and .357. I made it a habit to lightly push each case with my finger just to be sure. Cases like the .30 Carbine (which is about the same height as .357) I will visually look at the case due to it having less surface area at the bottom (and thus more propensity to tip). I'm not sure of a better way to fix it though.
 
Last edited:
I had the exact same issue and it about drove me crazy figuring it out. I have a Dillon 550B and it turned out to the the lower crank had worn creating some slop so when the plate raised up to the die it was misaligned. Didn't do it everytime but often enough to be a problem. Called Dillon and they sent me a new crank. Problem solved.
 
I had the same thing with my LNL- AP.
Took my pins and links out. Cleaned everything. Shimmed, etc.
Now, if I place just a little sideways pressure on the lever when cycling, it's smooth and straight / everything lines up quite nicely.
 
It is the hornady powder drop and flaring die. The resizing die, seating and crimp is Lee.
 
Make sure your shell plate is tight. If loose or excessive gap between the shell plate and base can cause the case to tip. Mine LNL-AP only has a 0.003" gap which is ideal. Hornady spec says it can be up to 0.010" which can make it worst. So if you see the tilt in the case try to see if you can adj the dies so it centers better. All depends on how much thread plays it has in the bushing.
 
Your press isn't indexing fully, it could be as simple as adjusting your speed as you run the press, you're either too fast or too slow. You may also need to adjust the indexing pawls to get the correct alignment with the flaring drop tube.
 
Is it happening reliably on the same side of the case as oriented in the shell plate, or happening randomly on any side of the case?

If it’s the same side of the case, then it’s a plate indexing issue. If it’s random around the case relative to the shell plate, then it’s a dimensional issue between the sizing done in the sizer and the mouth of the expanding die. The former is 99% likely the culprit, the latter, exceedingly rare.
 
Allen One1 said:
Your press isn't indexing fully, it could be as simple as adjusting your speed as you run the press, you're either too fast or too slow. You may also need to adjust the indexing pawls to get the correct alignment with the flaring drop tube.
Click to expand...

If the speed your running the press at is effecting the press indexing then you need to adjust the pawls, ram speed up or down will have no effect on a properly adjusted press. You might also need to back off the shell plate indent balls if there not falling into place when the ram is moved slow as they might be putting too much tension on the plate for it to move freely.
 
Thank you guys. All great tips. I will take a closer look at things. Never had to adjust the pawls. Is it fairly straightforward?

I will have to see if it is always happening in the same spot. I think yes, but not 100% sure. Man, if it is the timing of the pawls, it is barely off.

Pete
 
The pawls won't have to be too far off to cause issues. Watch this video and it will get you through the adjustment with ease.

And yes the speed you operate at does make a difference. In fact moving quickly and then slowing down is a good technique that works. A slight pause before priming also helps a lot in letting the case center over the primer before you press it in.
 
Allen One1 said:
The pawls won't have to be too far off to cause issues. Watch this video and it will get you through the adjustment with ease.
And yes the speed you operate at does make a difference. In fact moving quickly and then slowing down is a good technique that works. A slight pause before priming also helps a lot in letting the case center over the primer before you press it in.
Click to expand...

No the speed you run the press at doesn't make a difference if your press is set up. I can run my press painfully slow or faster then it should be run without a problem. If you have to slow down at the end of the stroke I would say your shell plate indexing balls need some adjustment as there either to loose and your blowing past the indexing hole or to tight and not dropping in the hole all the way. If you have to pause before priming for the shell plate to center this is an indication that something isn't quite right with your timing or indexing balls.
 
You guys are freaking geniuses. Best site on the planet when it comes to anything reloading related. So I did a few things. First I cleaned out all the little indents that the bearings on the plate fall into. Second, I replaced the retaining spring. It was not broken, but it definitely stretched a bit. A new one got rid of all the flopping around of the longer casings, like the 357. Finally I adjusted the right pawl a tiny bit. You guys were right, it was not lined up perfect. It was very, very close. Very very close does not cut it though. Thing runs awesome again. Thank you so much. Pete
 
peterk1234 said:
I replaced the retaining spring. It was not broken, but it definitely stretched a bit.
Click to expand...
Glad you were able to get it running properly.

When I saw your picture, my first thought was that your retaining spring was stretched out a bit and allowing the case to back away from the center on the shell plate.

The LNL AP is unique in the you can adjust the amount of rotation, between stations, separately for the upstroke and the downstroke. For the upstroke, you want the case to enter the exact center of the die mouth
 
PeterK were the cases going into the sizing die ok as that’s the one that usually gives the issue?
 
Never a problem with sizing die. I just had the issue happen again. Less frequent though. Maybe another tweak needed.
 
May need a little more tweaking of the paw. Adj the paw at the speed in which you load for best results.I place my fingers lightly on the shell plate so I ca feel a double click. My hearing is not what it use to be, so you may not hear the double click. May also need to adj the detents in the shell plate. These are just pressed in and can be moved easily if required. Make sure the detent holes are clean too.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
Crushing 44 cases.
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
Walkalong
Walkalong
T
  • Locked
Dillon 550 crushing 9mm cases
Replies
6
Views
1K
caz223
C
Atavar
Pistol case length
2
Replies
29
Views
1K
jmorris
jmorris
B
  • Locked
Dillon 650xl case flaring too much randomly
Replies
5
Views
663
gacajun
G
Atavar
  • Locked
Trimming pistol cases
2
Replies
35
Views
1K
film495
F
Back
Top