AngryBaker
Member
First a little background, I have been shooting for about 4 years now and I just got into reloading. I just got set up about 2 days ago.
I have equipment for the following calibers, 9mm Luger and .223 Rem
Here is my list of equipment:
RCBS Partner Press
RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure
Hornady electronic scale
Hornady electronic caliper
RCBS universal hand priming tool
Lyman turbo pro 1200 tumbler
Lee steel .223 die set
Lee carbide 9mm Luger die set
RCBS Case lube kit
Lyman #49 Reloading manual
In order to familiarize myself with my equipment I decided I would start with the 9mm Luger. I hear straight wall cartridges are easier to reload for a beginner.
So resizing went fine as well as priming (priming with the RCBS hand priming tool is a breeze), the primers look like they are seated just fine when compared to factory ammo of the same brand as well as others
So now the problem has come down to two things.
1. When using the flare die how much flare am I suppose to put on the cases to allow proper bullet seating?
I have many cases and I have practiced on a few, I really am lost. The Lee instruction manual is vague and says "for maximum case life, use only enough flare only enough to easily accept a bullet." I am not sure what they mean is the flare only for ensuring the bullet goes into the bullet seater without falling off the case? I supposed to measure something to ensure there is enough flare?
Problem two is I have decided on my starting load (it is a published minimum load developed by Lee) and I have made a few mocked up rounds (no powder or primer) just to get my seater set up as well as finding a nice OAL close the recommended minimum
Here is the load I am planning for reference
Bullet: Suters Choice 9MM 125 GR RN
Case: Winchester/Federal/S&B 9mm Luger
Powder: Hodgdon HP-38 Pistol Powder
Primer: CCI Small pistol Primer
Min allowable OAL for maximum charge: 1.125
I was planning to set them out a little longer at about 1.130 or 1.128
Minimum charge: 3.9 GR
Maximum charge 4.4 GR
Enough with data, like I said before I have mocked up some rounds to test my seater and establish feeding function as well as OAL.
I flared only slightly so that the base of the bullet can sit comfortably in the case while being run up to the seater die.
So next I took 2 rounds and slowly adjusted my die down to an OAL of 1.128
both mock rounds fed and chambered in my Ruger SR9
Then the main problem occurred I noticed a bulge in the case at the end of where the bullet was seated. This concerns me as I am a new reloader and and very nervous about messing up. I compared this to factory rounds and saw no such bulge on factory rounds.
I am at a loss, did I do something wrong? If you gents have any suggestions I would appreciate any help you can give, and I would be happy to give more information or post some pictures of these mocked up rounds.
As always I look forward to your responses
Thanks
Angrybaker
I have equipment for the following calibers, 9mm Luger and .223 Rem
Here is my list of equipment:
RCBS Partner Press
RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure
Hornady electronic scale
Hornady electronic caliper
RCBS universal hand priming tool
Lyman turbo pro 1200 tumbler
Lee steel .223 die set
Lee carbide 9mm Luger die set
RCBS Case lube kit
Lyman #49 Reloading manual
In order to familiarize myself with my equipment I decided I would start with the 9mm Luger. I hear straight wall cartridges are easier to reload for a beginner.
So resizing went fine as well as priming (priming with the RCBS hand priming tool is a breeze), the primers look like they are seated just fine when compared to factory ammo of the same brand as well as others
So now the problem has come down to two things.
1. When using the flare die how much flare am I suppose to put on the cases to allow proper bullet seating?
I have many cases and I have practiced on a few, I really am lost. The Lee instruction manual is vague and says "for maximum case life, use only enough flare only enough to easily accept a bullet." I am not sure what they mean is the flare only for ensuring the bullet goes into the bullet seater without falling off the case? I supposed to measure something to ensure there is enough flare?
Problem two is I have decided on my starting load (it is a published minimum load developed by Lee) and I have made a few mocked up rounds (no powder or primer) just to get my seater set up as well as finding a nice OAL close the recommended minimum
Here is the load I am planning for reference
Bullet: Suters Choice 9MM 125 GR RN
Case: Winchester/Federal/S&B 9mm Luger
Powder: Hodgdon HP-38 Pistol Powder
Primer: CCI Small pistol Primer
Min allowable OAL for maximum charge: 1.125
I was planning to set them out a little longer at about 1.130 or 1.128
Minimum charge: 3.9 GR
Maximum charge 4.4 GR
Enough with data, like I said before I have mocked up some rounds to test my seater and establish feeding function as well as OAL.
I flared only slightly so that the base of the bullet can sit comfortably in the case while being run up to the seater die.
So next I took 2 rounds and slowly adjusted my die down to an OAL of 1.128
both mock rounds fed and chambered in my Ruger SR9
Then the main problem occurred I noticed a bulge in the case at the end of where the bullet was seated. This concerns me as I am a new reloader and and very nervous about messing up. I compared this to factory rounds and saw no such bulge on factory rounds.
I am at a loss, did I do something wrong? If you gents have any suggestions I would appreciate any help you can give, and I would be happy to give more information or post some pictures of these mocked up rounds.
As always I look forward to your responses
Thanks
Angrybaker