Here's what I've done

[armoredman]

Like the spelling?
Got my first ever 49 rounds of loaded 9mm. Will it work?I hope so. Here's what I did. I had the Winchester cases, and sized/deprimed, reprimed with CCI 500 SP primers. Then I belled them to a small extent - did I mention i did this whole process with a copy of Steindlers Third Edition Reloaders' Guide in my lap, plus all the RCBS info and Lee die info? Nifty. OK, At the same time I had the RCBS powder measure and Beam scale sitting there, powder measuer attached to the press via the double ende holder, as shown in the neato "manual" RCBS just happened to send me. I adjusted the pwder flow for the Accurate #2 powder to a steady 4 grains, and checked every 10th throw on the beam scale for accuracy. So far, so good. I like the primer method - allows for very few mistakes, and I used the same method on the powder - visual inspect each and evry one, and then recheck after all were placed in the RCBS loading block.
Now here's where I ain't so sure....
I used a few sized unprimed cases to check bullet seating. I got it to be inside the limit of 1.169, and started to go. Now, this die seated and gave a roll crimp. This is a 9mm specific die, so i am hoping tis isn't a problem, and I didn't know how to just seat the bullet and use the factory crimp die, like provided. Also, I rechecked lenghts every 5 or so, and lengths were varying between 1.155 to 1.163. I am not at all trying for match grade ammo - just want this batch to go bang safely, but that cant be normal? What am I doing wrong? All are within spec - even checked a round I know does chamber, and it's slightly longer.
I took one reload, and slipped into the top of my magazine to see if it would chamber. Don't grieve me aboiut safe direction - I did that. It chambered off slide lock, but was difficult to remove by racking - stuck kinda hard.
OK, now that everyone is done groaning - comments, questions, complaints? I threw one in an oil bath, because during seating the case buckled slightly.
I wait for comments - I will gladly throw every one of these away if you all deem it badly done, because I want to reload safely. Even if I screwed it up - this was fun learning, and will be even more fun when I get good!

 

[griz]

To set the die up to seat and NOT crimp you unscrew the die a little, maybe half a turn, use the locking ring to hold it in that position, and reseat the seating depth.

If you are getting a visible crimp, especially if it varies from round to round, on 9mm then I think that's too much. At most it should be just removing the little bit of belling that you did.

If it's crimping a bunch that might account for the variation in OAL. It could also be slight differences in the nose shape and how it fits the seating stem. Any way the difference in OAL isn't that big a deal. What is a concern is that one of the rounds doesn't chamber right. It's hard to trouble shoot with out seeing the round, but don't fire until you figure out what's wrong.

Did that round look any different than the others? Do the mouths of the reloaded rounds look the same as factory rounds? And what bullet are you using?

 

[Sheldon]

What type of bullet are you using? Is it made by one of the major manufacturors, as they would normally have some sort of manual or loading data and give you an ideal OAL for that bullet. Is the pistol hard to unlock because the bullet is jamming into the lands of the barrel? You would see some marks on the rifling if that's the case. If so, then maybe your OAL is too long. Or is the case sticking in the chamber because of an excessive amount of roll crimp.....assuming that is the type of crimp die you have. I would think any 9mm dies out there would come with a standard "taper" crimp die, but you never know.

 

[armoredman]

Bullet is 115gr plated from rainier. Didn't see any marks on the one I tried. I have many more bullets, primed cases and pwder, so I can do more some other time - hate to waste, but if dangerous must go . How to destroy, or should I try to shoot them?

 

[Sheldon]

I would say that the variation in OAL length you are getting is not excessive. Less is better of course, but the bullets may have some variation in them. If you run your fingers over the area of the crimp, do you feel any bulge caused by the crimping? Too much of a crimp, especially a roll crimp, will do this. All the crimp die should do in this caliber is remove any belling you put on the case mouth for seating the bullet. The case should feel smooth and relatively flat to the end of the mouth of the case. Are you sure you have a roll style crimp and not a taper one?

 

[armoredman]

I have a factory crimp die - but don't know how to use it.....

 

[Sheldon]

Never feel helpless for information in front of a computer. These are the directions from the Lee site..Lee FCD instructions. Hope this helps.

 

[kimbernut]

armoredman

The OAL variation is not a problem-the Rainier bullets alone can vary in ogive enough to cause that amount . I believe your problem to be that your seating/crimp die is set to crimp before the bullet has reached its full seating depth. This will cause the case to bulge. Before you make up a large amount again (If you do not have a case gauge for 9mm)remove your barrel from your pistol and use it as a case gauge until every completed bullet will easily slide in and out of the chamber. A reason for some bulged cases and some not bulged could be a difference in case length.You will get a much more consistent crimp if all of your cases are trimmed to the same length to begin with. Invest in an inertial (hammer type) bullet puller. This won't be your last problem load. We all have them from time to time but the longer you reload the less frequent they become. Good Luck!

 

[SASS#23149]

The seating die 'punch' should match the ogive of the bullet,or pretty close anyway.IE:using a wadcutter punch with a round nose bullet will work,but not the best way to go...too much chance of mis-alignment of the bullet.
Seating and crimping on the same die can sure lead to problems,as you've discovered.I much prefer using two dies for this.
I too have found bullets seated to different depths over the years and have never known exacly why..but then I shoot revos so it's no biggy.
I think if you get the Lee die set up your problems will go away.Hope so.
Now you know why they make bullet pullers.lol
don't throw them away,get a bullet puller and save the makin's.You shuld be able to just re-bell the cases and go from there.
There is a 'learning curve' to this stuff,andw'eve all been there.