|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
June 22, 2006, 06:41 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 1, 2004
Posts: 104
|
RCBS .45 Reloading - What am I doing wrong?
I've been reloading .38/.357 for a while and just started loading .45; using RCBS dies and RCBS press.
When I load .38--I generally use a lead bullet and pull the lever all the way down so that the bullet is seated and taper crimped all in one stroke. It's worked well for me so far. I just noticed last night when I went to seat the first .45round that the case only makes it about halfway into the seating die until it meets resistance. Completing the stroke more or less crimps the casing until it squeezes/deforms the bullet so when you're done you're left with a round that has a loose bullet sitting on top of the case. Not sure what's going on since my .38's can go pretty smoothly into the .38 die. Am I not supposed to use a full stroke when I seat the bullets? I was trying to load with 230gr Rainer TMJ's. |
June 22, 2006, 08:54 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 21, 2004
Location: Western Penn.
Posts: 387
|
Just a little re-fresher, .38/.357 use a ROLL CRIMP. Reread, and follow the manufactures set-up instructions. The .45ACP round uses a Taper Crimp. All you really want to do is remove the bell made by the expander plug to ease bullet insertion. I believe Rainer used to have load data for their bullets available.... Good luck/ Safe shooting.
__________________
For those who've never fought for it, the price of freedom shall never be known... |
June 22, 2006, 09:48 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 1, 1999
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,135
|
Try removing the setting/crimping die from the press and taking a factory loaded ball round, put it in the shell holder and run it all they way up.
Now install the die and adjust both the length and amount of crimp to match the factory round. That should get you into a closer ballpark. Good Luck... Joe
__________________
Go NRA |
June 22, 2006, 10:05 AM | #4 |
Junior member
Join Date: August 30, 2005
Location: State of KALI
Posts: 1,531
|
45 acp head spaces on the area
That you are crimping, you have to dot your i's and X your t's on this load or you are going to have big problems.
Like mentioned try to duplicate a factory load. Mic the case at the mouth use very little expanding on the case mouth, just enough to allow the bullet to enter with some resistance. Do 5 of them and shoot them, mic um up to the same as factory. HQ |
June 22, 2006, 10:07 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 30, 2004
Location: God's side of Washington State
Posts: 1,601
|
Set your seating depth first with the die high in the press, (no crimp) then turn the seater all the way up. Next turn the die down until the taper crimp removes the bell. (you will not feel much on the press when you stroke the handle...bell still there, turn the die down a little more and try again) Remember taper crimps are for head spacing not holding the bullet in place like the roll crimp. After you are happy with the taper crimp, lock your die ring and turn the seater back down on top of the bullet. Now you are set after locking everything in place. Check your round against a cartridge gauge. If you don't have that, pull your barrel and see if it falls in and back out. You might want to press a loaded round against the table and see if you can push the bullet in. Too much taper crimp or worn out brass will not hold the bullet in place. Bullet set back is a bad thing.
__________________
God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers. |
June 22, 2006, 11:44 AM | #6 |
Junior member
Join Date: May 27, 2006
Posts: 996
|
Tim's got it. It really is just as simple as correctly setting up your seater/crimper die.
|
June 22, 2006, 01:38 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 1, 2004
Posts: 104
|
Thanks! I'll give it a shot this weekend.
But really, the .38/357 dies (RCBS) i have are taper crimp. It says "TC" right on the seating die. |
June 24, 2006, 08:53 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 1, 2000
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Posts: 2,678
|
.45 ACP loading problem
Take the seater die out and clean it. There may be a lead build up inside.
Unless you are using a progressive I suggest a seperate die/ operation for your taper crimp. |
June 24, 2006, 12:53 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 13, 2006
Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA
Posts: 1,323
|
amamnn
If you're going to go out and buy a serarate crimping die, get the Lee Factory Crimper, you'll be glad you did.
__________________
"If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal |
June 24, 2006, 06:16 PM | #10 |
Junior member
Join Date: May 27, 2006
Posts: 996
|
For revolver use, .357 Mags should be roll-crimped into a cannelure. Some .357s are used in rifles; also, didn't D.E. make a .357 mag that used "conventional" .357 mag ammo?
|
June 24, 2006, 06:27 PM | #11 |
Junior member
Join Date: November 12, 2000
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 9,494
|
TC means Tungsten Carbide.
|
June 24, 2006, 06:43 PM | #12 |
Staff
Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,060
|
There are .38/357 taper crimp dies. I got one from Lyman (#7153101) twenty-odd years ago (my pre-progressive days) because I was just shooting light wadcutter loads at the time and didn't want to wear the case mouths out by roll-crimping them. Worked fine.
Nick
__________________
Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|