Mushroomed .223 cases

[Azul69]

I am using a Lee Loadmaster that I recently got, and while on my first attempt to reload I am finding at the end of the process some of the cases are mushroomed below the shoulders. I also find that after decap and resize some of the necks are rounded in so that a bullet cannot sit in it.

Any ideas on what is causing this problem? And please don't tell my to go buy a Dillon.

 

[ericuda]

Not sure on out of round neck but the smashed cases are most likely caused by non uniform case lengths. The longer cases may start to crimp first which applies more case tension so when you seat more it smashes neck a bit. Back off your crimp a bit and readjust overall length.

 

[Whiterook808]

What he said. Check your crimp die.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Better yet don't crimp, there really is no need on a .223 case.

 

[Legionnaire]

Can you show us a picture of one of the cases? The case "mushroomed below the shoulder" sounds like the seating die is screwed in too far. Not sure what you mean by the necks being "rounded in." The expander plug in your sizing die should leave the necks perfectly round.

 

[Azul69]

Can you show us a picture of one of the cases? The case "mushroomed below the shoulder" sounds like the seating die is screwed in too far. Not sure what you mean by the necks being "rounded in." The expander plug in your sizing die should leave the necks perfectly round.

 

[Legionnaire]

Yes, your seater die is screwed in too far. Back it out multiple turns. Find your longest case and put it in the shell holder. Raise the ram, then screw the die in until you feel it just touch the case; back it out half a turn and set the lock ring. I agree with others; don't crimp.

Still not sure what you mean about the necks being "rounded in." Can you shoot a picture of the case mouth?

 

[Reloadron]

Size the case, trim the case and seat the bullets. Yes, as mentioned your seating die needs backed out a little. Use and setup your seating die exactly per the instructions. I have made a few like that myself during setup.

Ron

 

[Azul69]

Yes, your seater die is screwed in too far. Back it out multiple turns. Find your longest case and put it in the shell holder. Raise the ram, then screw the die in until you feel it just touch the case; back it out half a turn and set the lock ring. I agree with others; don't crimp.

Still not sure what you mean about the necks being "rounded in." Can you shoot a picture of the case mouth?

I think it may be caused by the priming die. This whole progressive thing is taking some getting used to. BTW I don't crimp rifle rounds. I gained that bit of wisdom from you guys while reading through old posts!!

 

[1KPerDay]

Priming die??

 

[Blue68f100]

I think it may be caused by the priming die. This whole progressive thing is taking some getting used to. BTW I don't crimp rifle rounds. I gained that bit of wisdom from you guys while reading through old posts!!View attachment 841628

Priming die???????

That looks like something the seating/crimp die will do. Need to confirm what dies your using for what function.

 

[Whiterook808]

Priming die? Do you mean the powder die? If so, that could do that if it is screwed in too far. I assume you are using the LEE powder through rifle die since it is a Loadmaster. Try backing that out.

 

[Walkalong]

Priming die???????

That looks like something the seating/crimp die will do. Need to confirm what dies your using for what function.

Yep, seater/crimper is way too low.

Put a case in the ram and run it all the way up with no die. The take the seater die and screw the seater plug all the way up. Then screw the seater die down over the case until you feel the crimp ledge hit the case mouth, screw it back up a half turn and lock it down. Then you will need to screw the seater plug cab down enough to seat the bullet.

 

[Reloadron]

Priming die? Never heard of one of those. My thinking is a Lee Powder Through Die. That would roll the case mouths over as in your picture. The mushroom effect looks like the seater die. What I suggest you do is one step at a time adjust each die per the manuals. With a progressive press there is a learning curve, albeit not steep but a learning curve. Look at each case as it progresses along. You will get it in time and a few crunched cases.

Ron

 

[Walkalong]

Well, one of the dies is way too far down, should e easy to figure out, run empty cases up into the dies.

 

[Legionnaire]

Whoah! A picture is worth a thousand words, so now I know what you mean by "necks rounded in." You no doubt have another die turned in too far; that could be a powder through die, or the seater ... but it ain't the sizing die. No die is used in the priming operation, but you're clearly running your cases way too far into something.

I'm with Walkalong. Run empty cases through your dies and see where you're getting interference.

 

[Azul69]

Not sure why I wrote "Priniming Die", I meant Charging Die. I have adjust both the charging die and the bullet seater die and those problems have been solved. Now if i could just get consistent powder drops....

 

[jeeptim]

This is why I ALWAYS suggest a single stage press to new reloaders.
If you would like a really good suggestion and advise...
1) only put the sizing and depriming die on the press and remove the priming unit.
2) size a dozen or so cases no primer.
3) measure those cases trimm if needed.
4) see if they chamber in your rifle. Just go slow careful the case mouth don't get caught on the luggs. If that goes well.
6) get to know the brass Handel it a lot.
Size deprime and trimm 500 cases clean the primer pockets learn about primer crimp.
I would suggest CCI primers as they seem to have the hardest cup safety .
Prime 50 or so stop and measure again closely look at each case then do the rest.
Now the priming is out of the picture.
Remove that die. Install the powder measure follow the instructions and make sure the case dose not go to far in to the die. Do 5 or 10 no powder.
Measure the case the shoulder and mouth. If the case mouth is belled just a tad no worries.
Then set up your seater die...
Put a case on the plate pull the Handel back off the seater plug screw down the die till it hits the case back it off a full turn. Remove that case put in a similar factory round pull the handle down screw the 0lug down till it hits remove that case neck station crimp die. Set per instructions.
I just got a load master 2 months ago and was ready to send it back but after taking my time 1 station at a time I got it.
In 1 hour last nite I loaded 520 9mm
Take your time watch YouTube videos and best of luck. Rifle rounds are far more difficult then straight wall pistol on the load master.

 

[Azul69]

I just got a load master 2 months ago and was ready to send it back but after taking my time 1 station at a time I got it.
In 1 hour last nite I loaded 520 9mm
Take your time watch YouTube videos and best of luck. Rifle rounds are far more difficult then straight wall pistol on the load master.

Thanks, I went through and did something similar. I think my problem was that I was trying to use the settings I had on my old Lyman Turret press and its a different spacing issue. All the case issues I had have been solved with everyone's help.

Now I need to make a new post for my intermittent issues.

 

[Capt.Roll]

Not sure why I wrote "Priniming Die", I meant Charging Die. I have adjust both the charging die and the bullet seater die and those problems have been solved. Now if i could just get consistent powder drops....

How inconsistent? What is the charge in grains that you are trying to achieve and what is the plus/minus you are getting; say over 10 charge cycles?

I use the Lee Auto Drum for my 9mm, .40 S&W and .223/5.56 powder loads. I usually get +/- 0.05 grains variation per powder dump but will accept up to 0.1 grains. For my shooting requirements, what variation I get is more that adequate. I can't feel or hear any difference when shooting my reloads and the down range accuracy is acceptable to my skill level.

 

[Whiterook808]

You are loading .223 and the cases are tall and small in diameter. Because of that in my press they are kind of tippy on the shell plate. Try guiding the case into the charging die and insure that the goes in straight. Do you hear any scraping when some of the cases go up in there? That could be the case hitting the rim of the charging die before fully engaging and this can cause overcharges.

 

[Azul69]

How inconsistent? What is the charge in grains that you are trying to achieve and what is the plus/minus you are getting; say over 10 charge cycles?

I use the Lee Auto Drum for my 9mm, .40 S&W and .223/5.56 powder loads. I usually get +/- 0.05 grains variation per power dump but will accept up to 0.1 grains. For my shooting requirements, what variation I get is more that adequate. I can't feel or hear any difference when shooting my reloads and the down range accuracy is acceptable to my skill level.

I will sometimes get a 1/2 charge. I think its because its doesn't completely reset. I had to remove the double charge disconnect because it broke and I'm waiting on one to come from Lee. I just wish there was better setup instructions for it!

 

[Azul69]

You are loading .223 and the cases are tall and small in diameter. Because of that in my press they are kind of tippy on the shell plate. Try guiding the case into the charging die and insure that the goes in straight. Do you hear any scraping when some of the cases go up in there? That could be the case hitting the rim of the charging die before fully engaging and this can cause overcharges.

Thanks, I will be sure to pay attention to that next time I reload. I need to take a couple of mental days to use the fruits of my labor!!!