Reloading problem.... :(

[elkhuntingfool]

I've never run into this - but I think I might know the answer....but...

I'm loading 45acp - Hornady FMJs and XTPs (230gr) and for some unknown reason when I would attempt to seat the bullet - it would crush the case. Frustrating. I checked the cases - nothing. No splits, burrs,etc....

So..I loaded some lead cast bullets (230gr)- no issues at all. I cleaned out what I could see of excess lube, crap, etc... same thing with the FMJs - crushed cases. :banghead::banghead::banghead:

So...is it safe to assume that there is gunk there that I can't get out? I have no issues loading the lead cast. I'm thinking maybe I should just get another seating die and only use that one for jacketed bullets.

Needless to say I am frustrated.

Thanks for the vine

 

[goon]

Have you tried backing off your crimp?
I've found that with lead bullets you can have more crimp because the lead will give more easily than a copper jacketed bullet will.

 

[ReloaderFred]

You may have to bell the case mouths more for the jacketed bullets. There is no "give" to a jacketed bullet, unlike some cast bullets. Just add a little more belling to the case mouth and see if that cures your problem.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[cliffy]

Ream the neck

.45 ACP cases seem quite weak and ready to crush. Reaming the neck slightly REALLY helps aliviate crushed brass. Berry Plated bullets are prone to crush readily. I always ream case-mouths prior to seating attempts. cliffy

 

[ants]

Your lead bullets may be Bevel Base, or rounded at the base rather than sharply square. If so, that's why they seat easily.

Bell the case mouth a little more and the square-base jacketed bullets will seat easily.

 

[Strongbad]

Like Fred said. Sounds like you need more flare on the mouth.

 

[Walkalong]

I use plenty of Berry's bullets in .45. I use just enough flare to get the bullet started about 1/32". Never any problems. I do the same for jacketed and have loaded Zero, Hornady, Speer, Winchester & Remington jacketed bullets with no problems using the same set up. I would not advise reaming a .45 ACP case.

Your case needs a bit more flair, or the crimp die/seating die is adjusted down too far.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Ream an already thin .45 ACP case? No, no...

What Fred Said...

Goon has a point too. However I have not had a problem with crimping jacketed bullets crushing the case. Have crushed a few by not belling enough though...

 

[pilot teacher]

Just like the guys said, bell the cases a bit more.
Bell a case and using your fingers, see if the bullet just fits into the case. If it does try seating it with the press. Even with a slighter larger bell, use a taper crimp. When a case is belled correctly it's possible to see and feel a slight bell.

Taper crimp removes the bell just enough so the bullet can ride up the ramp without catching on the edge of the chamber as it slides out of the magazine.

 

[Claude Clay]

as has been said---lead ( desiginated as 230gr LRN BB ) has a beveled base and your jacketed seemingly has a tight radius'd base. add (more) bell will fix the problem. good luck

 

[ForneyRider]

You need more "flare". 13 is what everyone wears.

I use more bell on lead than jacketed. I think that is typical.

 

[Farnorthdan]

You definitely need to add more flair to you case mouth. I had similar issues when I started some years back and it frustrated the heck out of me, once I started adding more flair the problem went away...


DS

 

[elkhuntingfool]

how do I bell or flare the case more? I've never had this issue and have loaded thousands of rounds so I am really confused.

Thanks!

 

[RustyFN]

how do I bell or flare the case more?

Screw your powder/expanding die in a little bit more. A little at a time and keep testing, you don't want to over do it.

Rusty

 

[Larry E]

Or adjust the expander plug in a bit farther. Lyman sells an M expander die that works really well for pistols, better than the standard expanders IMHO.

 

[Walkalong]

+1 on the Lyman step style (M) expander. Redding copied them and theirs are great also.

 

[elkhuntingfool]

Screw your powder/expanding die in a little bit more. A little at a time and keep testing, you don't want to over do it.

Rusty

That did it!!! Thank you so much! You ended my frustration. Now I only have 1,100 more reloads to go on this venture.