9mm Lee Factory Crimp - What gives?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I

Iheartguns

Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2008
Messages
43
Hey guys -

So my 9mm bullets finally came in. 115g FMJ from Magnus.

I was setting up my Lee Turret press to do some reloading and I'm having a major issue:

I get the bullet seating die set properly and, naturally the bullet is a bit loose in the casing. I go to the Factory Crimp die, and, no matter what the setting on the crimp adjustment (even when it's all the way in), I can rotate the bullet in the case, push the bullet back into the case, and sometimes, even pull the bullet OUT of the case.

This clearly ain't right.

My .45 dies work beautifully.

I should also note that, though the bullets aren't cannelured, when I remove the bullets after crimp, they seem to be dented - the lead core appears to be a VERY soft lead core. For fun, I tapped it one a few times with a hammer (unloaded, of course) and the lead was pressed out the bottom of the jacket (the open end).

Any advice.

Andy
 
Andy -

• First measure your bullets and make sure they are .355/.356
• Then measure your case expander, it should be smaller than .355
• Then look at your belling and make sure it is minimal. No more than .010 larger.

The bullet should be very tight in the case at seating. The Taper Crimp Die only finishes up the case to a specific size. So if the bullets are sized right, then the looseness is happening well before the crimp.
 
and, naturally the bullet is a bit loose in the casing.
Click to expand...
Well, that just ain't natural!

Proper neck tension alone should prevent the bullet from being the least bit loose in the case before any taper crimp is applied.

No amount of Crimp can replace proper neck tension to start with.

Sounds like your expander rod, or your sizer die must be too big around.

Or, the bullets are too small.
Have you measured them to confirm .355" - .356" dia?

Also, make absolutely sure your sizing die is adjusted all the way down to FL size the cases.

The 9mm tapered case will not get a grip on the bullet if the sizing die is set too far from the shell holder.

rc
 
and, naturally the bullet is a bit loose in the casing
Click to expand...
It's not natural for the bullets to be loose. Neck tension, as posted above, should have them nice and tight. If it does not, your sizer is too big, or your expander is to big, or your bullets are too small, or two of those, or even all three. The FCD die cannot cure poor neck tension, period. It should barely kiss an occasional loaded round. If it is resizing to any degree, something is wrong. :)
 
Fixed it.

I'm embarrassed to admit - it was a big time rookie mistake.

I was JUST using the seating and crimping dies b/c they were the ones that needed adjustment. I wasn't running the once-fired brass through the resizing die. As soon as I did that, all was beautiful.

Thanks for the help.

I've chalked this up to a lesson learned.
 
First Offense

I'm embarrassed to admit - it was a big time rookie mistake.
Click to expand...

Alright. The Reloading Police will be by later this evening to confiscate your press for the period of 30 days. Second offense will be 3 months. Don't worry, we have your address.

:evil:
 
Hey, we all had a learning curve. Just be happy this little mistake didn't cause injuries. If that's the only mistake you make reloading I would call it a big win... BTW, I even resize brand new brass. You should always resize all your brass no matter where it comes from.
 
Al
right. The Reloading Police will be by later this evening to confiscate your press for the period of 30 days. Second offense will be 3 months. Don't worry, we have your address.
Click to expand...

Thats funny. They must not have my address since they aint showed up yet.:neener:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top