Whats up fellas,
I'm still having trouble reloading 9mm! For some reason about every 3rd or 4th completed round that comes out of the press, if I press on the bullet it will collapse into the case! I don't get it! I have tried everything I know and some things a few of you guys suggested!? I'm getting frustrated. I'm not trimming the cases, or using the expander die. I don't chamfer the inside of the mouth either. Any suggestions????????????????????

Do you have a set of calipers? I would suggest running a piece of brass through all of the operations (don't actually seat a bullet), measuring the ID of the mouth after each step. Also measure a sample of the bullets you are using, just to make sure.

If you are not resizing your brass fully......
It could also be that you do not have the resizing die screwed down correctly. Loosen the lock nut on the resizing die, raise the shellholder ram and screw the die down until it is in contact with the shellholder, Then lower the shellholder/ram and screw the die in 1/4 of a turn more. Lock the locking nut on the die down and try that.

Yeah I have a set of calipers, and I will try both. Thanks guys!

quote:

Originally posted by Cowboy_Dan:
Do you have a set of calipers? I would suggest running a piece of brass through all of the operations (don't actually seat a bullet), measuring the ID of the mouth after each step. Also measure a sample of the bullets you are using, just to make sure.

Yes. That's where I'd start.

And I'd like to rule something out, improbable as it is.

I'm interested that you aren't using the expander die, yet your case mouths seem to be too large for the bullet.

Are you loading for 9mm Makarov or 9mm Luger? If you properly size Makarov cases, but try to load a 9mm Luger bullet into them, I'd imagine neck tension would be much diminished, which could account for what you're seeing. (Luger bullet diameter = .355, Makarov bullet diameter .365)

Something definitely wrong with your sizing die. That is where I would look, with the likely possibility that it is machined incorrectly. I would try a different sizing die altogether.

Also, you need to trim all your brass to same length so your crimp is applied the same to each case. While this is not your problem with loose bullets now, it is important for consistency once your sizing issue is fixed.

Same goes for chamfering the case mouth. Still need to do that, but it is not the main problem you are dealing with now.

Your sized brass should have enough side wall tension to grip the bullet with no crimp in place, and even with the bell still in the case mouth.

Something wrong with that sizing die.

It also occurs to me that if you are using a 9mm Makarov sizing die with 9mm Luger brass, you might get the problem you describe.

Just FWIW

AHHHHGH; do not crimp 9mms. Or any rimless auto round. That can make the bullets loose.
Just make the bell straight again.
Sizing die? Unlikely; more likely it is the inside neck expander. Check that first.
If your shell holder is firmly against the die, and your bullets are not undersized, and you are not using an expander, then the bullets won't push back. Only then, is it the sizing die. Do what wingnut said.
Send me your die set and I will find out the problem for sure.

If you are using a carbide sizing die, do not place it in contact with the shell holder; it can cause the carbide to crack. Also, avoid W-W 9mm Luger brass; per an American Rifleman reloading article it is notorious for bullet set back. (All of mine scrounged at the range go directly into the recycle bin). A light taper crimp is fine; just don't overdo same.

I'm using 9mm luger hornady dies, and all my brass is 9mm luger aswell. when I get off work today, I'll check out everything you guys are saying and get back to ya.

You know how we know?, we have all been there before. Don't let it aggravate you, you'll get it.

quote:

Originally posted by pennfly:
You know how we know?, we have all been there before. Don't let it aggravate you, you'll get it.

+1

The problem is from your explanation, is the cases are of different lengths as you have not trimmed them, and the crimp is setting a bulge in the lip so the bullet isn't tight on the ones that the crimp is too much..I would suggest that you use a file trim die to trim, remove the expander ball or reduce its size a couple of thousands, then bell your cases ever so slightly and no crimp, just let the seater seat the bullet and close the case, then you get a very snug grip on the total bullet within the case, and the case is headspacing on the lip of the cartridge case as it should.

An auto pistols case headspaces on the lip of the case, so case length is critical to start with, or you can use file trim die to trim, and use a taper die crimp from Lee....

Ray, if the issue is distortion due to crimping cases of different lengths, it might be easier just not to crimp at all rather than to trim all cases to the same length to get a crimp.

I'm with dpcd on this: I don't think it's necessary to crimp 9mm brass.

I've already takin his advice on that, I don't crimp.

quote:

Originally posted by B L O'Connor:
Ray, if the issue is distortion due to crimping cases of different lengths, it might be easier just not to crimp at all rather than to trim all cases to the same length to get a crimp.

I'm with dpcd on this: I don't think it's necessary to crimp 9mm brass.

You have to use a taper crimp die to remove the bell on the case mouth. You just want to straiten out the case not like what you would use on a revolver where you use a roll crimp.
Bill

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Cooley:
You have to use a taper crimp die to remove the bell on the case mouth. You just want to straiten out the case not like what you would use on a revolver where you use a roll crimp.
Bill

. . . and yet, even though I don't crimp, the thousands of rounds I've prepared without crimps have all functioned flawlessly . . .

Your mileage may differ.

I've decided to post and ask for suggestions, since I seem to be having the same problem.

I'm setting up a Dillon RL550B. I'd previously set it up for .45 ACP, and am now working through the stations to set it up for 9mm.

What I've done...
1) set all stations individually, initially - work on my tolerances and dialing in the tightness.
- noticed my bullets would either spin, or pull out completely after crimping.
- using Berry's 124gr, .356 jacketed RN (purchased the 1000ct. Some measure .356 exactly, some are .3555.
2) adjusted and readjusted repeatedly my seating and crimp die to get the bullets to sit properly
3) adjusted my resizing/deprime die - maybe i wasn't sizing all the way down the case - measurements show .354 ID after resize. from case mouth measuring down .550, measurement is .388 OD. So I believe my cases are sized properly.
- belling is fine, very slight.
4) decided to work from station 1 through 4, with brass at every station, to simulate progressive loading and forces on the toolhead/dies.
- no success with bullet seating, oal needs to be tightened up, but the crimp was killing the tightness and causing the spin or looseness.
5) searched online for info - found this blog entry -
6) took more measurements on bullets and cases. opened a different box of bullets, also Berry's, 147gr, .356.
7) ran brass through the stations, including crimp - bullets did not spin.
8) ran second 147 grain bullet through, same as first, no spin, very tight grip - as i expect it to be.
9) ran two 124gr's through, same looseness after crimp
10) searched today, found this entry - RE: BUllet Seating (in Reloading) by allensee


So barring any further changes to the setup, the 147gr's will seat and crimp as expected. What about a 124gr would/might cause the looseness? Is it possible this is a bad lot of bullets? is the plating soo thin it cannot handle the stress of the crimp and therefore compresses? The base of the bullet does show where it was seated and does measure smaller than the portion of the bullet outside of the case.

My next step - seat 124gr and allow the seating die to "taper" the case back into shape. check for tightness. if this does not work, I'm not sure whats next. Could probably purchase a different brand of 124's and see what they do. Either that or trade with a buddy....

Based on the success of 147gr, I don't believe the dies to be defective. They are Dillon carbides.

Bud, learn from my mistakes.. Don't crimp!! For real, dcpd is rite.it isn't needed

quote:

Originally posted by Turner421:
Bud, learn from my mistakes.. Don't crimp!! For real, dcpd is rite.it isn't needed

Based on my efforts last night, I was able to successfully get the stations set.

I ended up using the crimp die, but just slightly, to straighten the very top of the case, where the seating die leaves the slightest lip. That decision came after I was able to seat the bullet, with no spin, and decided I wanted to try the crimp die but only little bit.

So, thanks for everyone that discussed the crimp as the problem. You shortened the learning curve for me and as a result I was able to start processing some loads.

Next is range time to test.... Thanks again all.