I just started to reload 12-ga ammo. I'm using a recipe from Lyman #2 manual, with a Remington Power Piston wad (RXP-12) and 1 1/8 oz lead shot. The 1 1/8 bushing throws 495 grains of shot, rather than the expected 492.2 grains, but I don't think that's enough to cause my collapsing problem. I am using a Pacific DL-105 press.
About 1 in 10 loads, I'm getting these collapsed shells. The problem seems to occur mostly with the newer, smooth, "soft-feeling" plastic AA hulls. The old used, 80's vintage hulls that came with the press don't seem to collapse.
I noticed that all of my reloads, regardless of the hull's age, are slightly longer than the brand new factory AA shells that I compared them to. I assume they're longer because they got stretched during firing and the first decap/partial resize die. If so, I don't think there is anything I can do about this slight variance in length. Besides, the older hulls don't collapse, even though they are also a little longer than factory fresh AAs.
I'm wondering what causes hulls to collapse and whether I should move the final crimp/full length resize die up. The manual's troubleshooting section is silent on this issue.
About 1 in 10 loads, I'm getting these collapsed shells. The problem seems to occur mostly with the newer, smooth, "soft-feeling" plastic AA hulls. The old used, 80's vintage hulls that came with the press don't seem to collapse.
I noticed that all of my reloads, regardless of the hull's age, are slightly longer than the brand new factory AA shells that I compared them to. I assume they're longer because they got stretched during firing and the first decap/partial resize die. If so, I don't think there is anything I can do about this slight variance in length. Besides, the older hulls don't collapse, even though they are also a little longer than factory fresh AAs.
I'm wondering what causes hulls to collapse and whether I should move the final crimp/full length resize die up. The manual's troubleshooting section is silent on this issue.
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