Bullet getting stuck in Hornady 45 ACP Seating Die

[shark101au]

Hi I just started reloading for 45 ACP and bought this set of Hornady Nitride Dies - http://www.hornady.com/store/45-ACP-AR-Win-Mag-.451-3-Die-Set/

I'm using a Hornady AP press and have loaded 9mm using RCBS dies with no problem.

MY problem is after adjusting the crimp, to where it would fit in my Dillon case guage and gun barrel, it seems the bullet sticks a little and I have to jerk the ram to lower it. The finished round looks fine and fits well, but the jerk is causing me to have powder spills.

Any ideas what's causing this? Thanks.

 

[Rule3]

Lead or jacketed bullet?? If lead is the die clean inside??

 

[shark101au]

These are 185gr Zero JHPs. If I do a crimp any lighter then it won't fit in my barrel. When i [pulled the bullet I could see where the taper crimp has squeezed it slightly.
It definately seems that the bullet is sticking where it is being taper crimped.

 

[Robert101]

Shark,
Take a look at your bullet seating and crimping die adjustment. Your description may indicate an ill-adjusted die. Try seating the bullet in one operation and then back out the bullet seater slightly, AND then crimp in a last operation. If this two step process fixes your problem then for sure the die needs further attention to do this in one operation. One last thought - make certain your belling of the case mouth is sufficient as to not scrape the bullet and bulge the case.

 

[Blue68f100]

I normally do not crimp and seat the bullet in the same step. I use a separate crimp die which just makes things run smoother on a auto progressive press. Some times with new dies it take a few 1000's rounds for them to smooth up. Or you can speed up the process with a little polish. May try a little lube inside the seating die. This will help to keep it from sticking. If I have one that is sticking real bad a little Imperial Sizing wax (or graphite powder)will slick it up. But you can end up with a build up that will eventually needs to be cleaned out.

 

[Hondo 60]

Is the profile of the seating stem a match for the type of bullet your using?
My WAG is no.

Contact Hornady, they have to provide you with an alternate seating stem.

 

[MR__X]

Hornady Dies come with 2 different seating stems already.

 

[ImjinScout85]

Sounds to me like you may have to much case mouth belling, you need just enough to barely hold the bullet when seating. If when lowering the ram it is hitting the case that may be your issue. I use the same set-up and didn't have any issues with mine. But I did also buy a separate taper crimp die as suggested here and it results are much better.

 

[Gt500]

Roll crimp

I had the same problem with this set of dies. If you will go look at the description of the dies on midways web site it will tell that they have a roll crimp in the seater die instead of a taper crimp. I had to buy a separate taper crimp die. Hope this helps

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Gt500 is 100% correct. The set of dies you linked to on the Hornady site, #546554 come with a seating die w/roll crimp. The Hornady dies with a taper crimp seating die are #546555. If those are the dies you bought you bought the wrong die set.

The good news is, Hornady sells the seating die that applies a Taper crimp as a stand alone.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/55...-crimp-seater-die-45-acp?cm_vc=ProductFinding
If you buy that die you will have the correct die set for loading the 45 Auto and you can save the roll crimp seating die in case yo decide to load 45 AutoRim ammo.

Hey Gt500, that is one heck of a first post! Welcome to the forum...

 

[MR__X]

Or just buy a separate tapper crimp die and back out you seating die so it doesn't crimp. I use the same die for my 45 Auto but have a separate taper crimp die.

 

[Gt500]

I know a few other reloaders in my area who have had trouble with this set of dies. The lgs carry them but they don't have a description any where on them.

 

[gamestalker]

Sounds to me like a die adjustment issue? Maybe too much crimp, dirty seating die.

GS