To What Depth to Seat SWC?

[GravelHauler]

Having issues with 9/40/45 SWC seating/crimping. Must be doing something wrong. Have Lyman head space gauges and use barrel as another gauge. Generally, the barrel test isn't successful. Appears bullet is hitting lands and not seating in barrel on the case mouth/rim. Crimp meets measurements in several reloading manuals (RCBS/Speer, Lyman, Hornady, and Sierra) for each caliber. But, the case just doesn't quiet "plunk" in the barrel and is about 3/32" above the seating position on the barrel mouth/chamber. Have also tried Lee Factory Crimp Dies (like them). I seat bullets with one die and crimp with another die separately. Should the SWC be seated to (what I call) the shoulder of the start of the SWC cone on the upper ~half of the bullet? I'm concerned about seating the bullet too deep in the case. But, the deeper I seat the bullet the better the fit in the barrel headspace. Appreciate advice.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

First of all, welcome to the forum...

For the most part SWC bullets were not made to load in the 9mm or 40 S&W but do a little better in the .45 Auto. You need to seat the bullet deep enough not to hit the rifling in the barrel. If that means seating the bullet right to the shoulder of the SWC that's what you will need to do. Just be aware the deeper you seat the bullet the less case space is available and the pressures will rise.

A picture would help us see if you are seating correctly.

 

[LiveLife]

How deep you seat the SWC bullet should depend on the barrel - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506678


9mm:

Below is a comparison picture of two Missouri (MBC) 9mm 125 gr SWC loads. The round on the left shows 1.090" OAL which is the Max OAL that will work with KKM 40-9 conversion barrel for Glock and the round on the right shows 1.070" OAL which is the Max OAL that will work with Lone Wolf barrel.

However, the new Lone Wolf 40-9 conversion barrel for G23 has even quicker start of rifling and 1.070" OAL will hit the start of rifling. I need to use shorter 1.045" OAL.

40S&W:

I load both MBC 155 gr SWC and 170 gr SWC to same OAL to pass the barrel drop test in Lone Wolf barrels for Glocks.

45ACP:

For 200 gr SWC bullet, 1.250"-1.260" may work with some barrels but if your barrel has quicker start of rifling, you'll need to use shorter OAL. My Sig 1911 barrel requres shorter than 1.245" OAL.

 

[jim8115]

I have found that in my XD 40, those have to be seated really short. usually 1.085. I just adjust the powder charge and they work fine


JIM

 

[floydster]

bds, another awesome post, thank you!!!

Floyd

 

[GravelHauler]

Thanks for all the great info. I've loaded to much of your suggested COALs which confirms my experimentation with dummy builds (no primer/no powder) in all three calibers. I load minimum powders that will reliably cycle slide/eject case. But, was concerned about seating depth; as what is too deep and what isn't. Will continue to work up my loads with your helpful insights. Cheers GH

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I load minimum powders that will reliably cycle slide/eject case.
Cheers GH

That's not always the best way to go. While light loads are fun for plinking they are not that good for practice. You really don't want to shoot a lot of very light rounds in practice and then have to deal with much heavier recoil if you ever need to use your handgun for SD. I try to replicate my SD ammo for practice.