I have only been reloading for a couple years, and until recently have reloaded for 45-70, 45 Colt, and 454 Casull. Because of the ammo shortage, I decided to give it a whirl with my 9mm and 40 S&W.
I use good hard-cast bullets (Mastercast and Penn Bullets) and range brass or spent factory brass that has been cleaned (ultrasonic), and Hornady Nitride die sets.
I am meticulous as I go through the load process, I do a complete size, then bell the cases slightly for the bullets, and then seat the bullet for optimal depth, and add a slight crimp. I use Hornady One Shot lube so that the bullet slides in well.
I have loaded two types of bullets for the 9mm - truncated cone and round nose, and one for the 40 S&W - round nose flat point.
The problem is that after loading the round nose 9mm and the 40 S&W, the bullets won't chamber. I eventually purchased Wilson gages to double check and it won't go in them either. The TC 9mm has no issue.
I am using a taper crimp with all loads, but can't find anywhere how much to apply (I see the words "slight taper" crimp - but no definition of "slight").
I was able to get the 40 S&W (the worst) to chamber by full resize of loaded cartridge (with decap stem removed). I actually fed one from a magazine and it "stuck" in the gun and wouldn't eject. I was at home so I was able to work it out safely.
The 9mm isn't as bad - most will chamber (from the magazine) and shoot, but I get an occasional FTF because the bolt isn't completely shut.
I purchased the gage to see what might be happening. They are tight and won't enter the gage at all.
I didn't check for swelling at the crimp, but could this be what is happening? Am I crimping too much? If so, how do I set the taper crimp properly (I purchased 4-die sets with a separate taper die)? I can't see any instructions anywhere I've searched.
I use good hard-cast bullets (Mastercast and Penn Bullets) and range brass or spent factory brass that has been cleaned (ultrasonic), and Hornady Nitride die sets.
I am meticulous as I go through the load process, I do a complete size, then bell the cases slightly for the bullets, and then seat the bullet for optimal depth, and add a slight crimp. I use Hornady One Shot lube so that the bullet slides in well.
I have loaded two types of bullets for the 9mm - truncated cone and round nose, and one for the 40 S&W - round nose flat point.
The problem is that after loading the round nose 9mm and the 40 S&W, the bullets won't chamber. I eventually purchased Wilson gages to double check and it won't go in them either. The TC 9mm has no issue.
I am using a taper crimp with all loads, but can't find anywhere how much to apply (I see the words "slight taper" crimp - but no definition of "slight").
I was able to get the 40 S&W (the worst) to chamber by full resize of loaded cartridge (with decap stem removed). I actually fed one from a magazine and it "stuck" in the gun and wouldn't eject. I was at home so I was able to work it out safely.
The 9mm isn't as bad - most will chamber (from the magazine) and shoot, but I get an occasional FTF because the bolt isn't completely shut.
I purchased the gage to see what might be happening. They are tight and won't enter the gage at all.
I didn't check for swelling at the crimp, but could this be what is happening? Am I crimping too much? If so, how do I set the taper crimp properly (I purchased 4-die sets with a separate taper die)? I can't see any instructions anywhere I've searched.