Chamber checking 9mm

[LiveLife]

All theses checking issue could be solved by just using the LEE FCD

Yes but with some consideration.

I think that's why Lee came up with the Factory Crimp Die solution - To post size out-of-round/out-of-spec rounds that exceeded SAAMI max chamber dimensions. So if brass wasn't fully resized, flare not removed completely, case wall thickness was uneven, bullet was out-of-round or tilted during seating causing a bulge on one side of round, etc., then FCD could be used to "fix" these rounds.

BUT I believe the FCD was meant for .355" jacketed diameter bullets and I do not see any issues using FCD with .355" sized bullets.

But not all bullets are sized the same - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...re-sized-the-same.818806/page-2#post-10567453

When FCD is used with larger sized bullets (especially with thicker walled cases), post sizing could reduce the bullet diameter and brass spring back of case neck could reduce neck tension and increase bullet setback.

Besides, what did all the championship winning match shooters do before Lee came out with FCD?

That's right, they used their dies to ensure finished rounds were within SAAMI dimensions to fully chamber in their barrels. And that's what I did too for my USPSA match loads. Even though I used Lee dies, FCD stayed in the die boxes as I was able to produce SAAMI spec finished rounds without the use of FCD.

That being said, in recent years I am seeing thicker case walls that are inconsistent in thickness to end up with oblong case neck instead of round to rub chamber walls (If you think all your finished rounds are perfectly round, measure several times around the case neck and be ready for a surprise). And if your barrel chamber is SAAMI minimum, finished rounds will not fully chamber as indicated by occasional finished rounds failing the "plunk test" and why I need to check every finished round intended for that barrel.

Notice below inconsistencies of case wall thickness of .003"+ on the same case neck.

Case wall thickness measurement 4x around at .100" below case mouth - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...nd-bullet-setback.830072/page-3#post-10712225

Case wall thickness measurement 4x around at .200" below case mouth - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...nd-bullet-setback.830072/page-3#post-10713822

 

[Walkalong]

BUT I believe the FCD was meant for .355" jacketed diameter bullets and I do not see any issues using FCD with .355" sized bullets.

But not all bullets are sized the same - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...re-sized-the-same.818806/page-2#post-10567453

When FCD is used with larger sized bullets (especially with thicker walled cases), post sizing could reduce the bullet diameter and brass spring back of case neck could reduce neck tension and increase bullet setback.

Agreed.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Agreed.

Agree also.

That is why I never looked at getting a FCD for my .38Spl reloading; since I'm only loading coated .358 RN bullets in it

 

[Rule3]

No need to apologize, you're forgiven


Now you're just being silly and sullying the credibility of your position through deflection.

Introducing processes of precision into a discussion of functionality gives the appearance of grasping at straws when the basis of your belief in your process has been found to be lacking in substance.

While your process might not be optimal, it apparently has worked for you...just be happy

Not grasping at straws at all, If precision means that much in your shooting then why can you not rely on the loaded ammo being correctly seated and crimp right off the press?
If you have the need to measure each one, then the other variable factors that I mentioned should be checked also.

Precision yields perfect functionality!

You do not trust your equipment? Then why trust your powder measure or anything else?

You measure each round in a gauge but how do you know the powder charge is exactly the same in each. Do you just test a few for power factor and then "assume" all the rest are the same? Maybe you should test fire each primer to see if it ignites!

The FCD was sarcasm in case you missed that.

If you want to get into psychological analysis we can take that up somewhere else.

Every time you get in your car do you check all tire pressures and perform a tread depth test Check all fluid levels, Do a battery load test, check the belts for wear. do a compression check.??
Something may fail at any time, but its the risk we take when leaving home everyday. Much more risk/reward than a low score in a shooting match.
Heck may just get hit by a bus or lightening.

But you are a competitor, unlike a lot of us who just load to shoot and have fun, and not become obsessed with this hobby. I thought that was what bench rest guys do.!

 

[9mmepiphany]

If precision means that much in your shooting

It doesn't. You're the one who brought it up

If you want to continue to blatter along, please don't continue it in this thread as it is neither constructive nor enlightening

 

[LiveLife]

I think whether to chamber check or not comes down to this - QC checks.

When I detect potential issues with my reloading process, I add QC checks to ensure those issues are checked out.

Why do we bother to check finished OAL when it is the "chambered" OAL that really matters (after bullet setback from bullet nose bumping the feed ramp)? Because that's what is measurable and can be performed as a QC check.

And what about QC for bullet setback?

I check OAL before and after feeding the test rounds from the magazine. If there is no bullet setback or less than a few thousandths, they pass. If bullet setback is more than a few thousandths, then I investigate for neck tension issue.

Thanks to the "Myth Busting Digital Scales" thread, I have added the QC check of verifying accuracy of my scales with Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weights down to .015 gr. Thanks to Walkalong, I have added the QC check of verifying accuracy of my calipers to .001" with pin gages (.355", .400", .451").

It's a personal decision how many QC checks we add to our reloading process.

Do I recommend check weights and pin gages for reloading?

I do now.

 

[Frank Ettin]

After careful measurement, it's been determined that this one is long enough.