having problem with .40 reloads

[kennedy]

I am reloading .40 with lee dies, winchester brass and rainer jacketed bullets, I am using the bullet seating die to crimp. about every 10 rds when I seat the bullet somehow it scrapes the side of the bullet and splits the case and buckles it. Its like it gets hung up on the crimping shoulder of the die. too much crimp? I backed the die out 1/4 turn and it seems to fix it, but I have not loaded very many rounds to test it.

 

[Sport45]

Are you expanding enough that you can get the full base of the bullet in the case before it goes in the seat/crimp die?

 

[wally]

Bullet shaving during seating almost always is not enough bell from the expander die. Move it in a half a turn and try again, repeat as necessary until the issue resolves.

IMHO you should be taper crimping the .40S&W in a fourth die.

--wally.

 

[Walkalong]

It is best with the plated bullets to crimp lightly in a seperate step, but as has already been said, you probably need a tad more belling as well. You should be able to hand start the first 1/32 to 1/16th of the bullet by hand. Crimp only enough to remove the belling and a tad more with plated bullets.

 

[kennedy]

yep, I turned the expanding die down and now it works fine, thanks for your help