Reloading newbie having a problem with 9mm

catzor · June 7, 2010, 02:49 PM

So I'm using the lee 4 die carbide die set in a lee 4 hole turret. The load I'm trying to work up is a Dardas 124gr RN bevel base over 4.8gr Alliant Power Pistol.

My problem comes when I try to seat the bullets. With little/no mouth expansion, the bullet fails to grip the case, leaving it in the die when I lower the shell holder. At that point, I can screw in the bullet seat die and raise the case again, at which point it will grab the case with an extreme crimp. The shorter the OAL, the less frequently the issue arises. At 1.10in, it rarely fails, but at 1.14, failure is frequent.

I'm suspecting the "bevel base" portion of the bullets to be the cause, but I'm new to reloading so I don't really know what else to look at. Any ideas?

**Unclenick** · June 7, 2010, 04:26 PM

You can measure the bullet diameters to check that they're normal. And do be sure you are using the sizing and decapping die and not the crimp die to size them, but I suspect it is most likely you've got hold of some R-P or other thin mouth brass to reload. The darn R-P stuff is so thin, hard and springy that it often doesn't resize properly without a special extra narrow die. I believe Lee will make you one if you need it, but the thin, hard necks split earlier than thicker, softer brass, so I don't see that as worthwhile? Try a different case brand with a thick enough mouth wall, like Winchester, Federal, or Starline. Loose bullets are an unsafe condition because feeding can drive them deeper into the case, which raises pressure.

If the bullets are not normal diameter, that's your problem and you should get replacements, but if it is the brass, pitch it. Calipers are not usually more accurate than the nearest thousandth or so, so measure a known good bullet for comparison, first, or use an OD thimble micrometer for the diameter measurement.

Mike-Mat · June 7, 2010, 05:05 PM

This is a lead cast bullet, right? I just had that happen to me. Managed to find the happy medium of OAL and proper seating after fooling around with it.

I may not have as much crimp as I'd like, but the bullets are in there firm.

WESHOOT2 · June 10, 2010, 11:18 AM

Examine the seat die; ensure ONLY the seating portion is in use (screw the stem down into the die farther).
Use the seat die to seat only; allow no other portion of it to contact the case in any fashion.
Then crimp with die #4.

(Try 5.2g Power Pistol, OAL 1.135--1.145").

June 7, 2010, 02:49 PM	#1
catzor Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 104	Reloading newbie having a problem with 9mm So I'm using the lee 4 die carbide die set in a lee 4 hole turret. The load I'm trying to work up is a Dardas 124gr RN bevel base over 4.8gr Alliant Power Pistol. My problem comes when I try to seat the bullets. With little/no mouth expansion, the bullet fails to grip the case, leaving it in the die when I lower the shell holder. At that point, I can screw in the bullet seat die and raise the case again, at which point it will grab the case with an extreme crimp. The shorter the OAL, the less frequently the issue arises. At 1.10in, it rarely fails, but at 1.14, failure is frequent. I'm suspecting the "bevel base" portion of the bullets to be the cause, but I'm new to reloading so I don't really know what else to look at. Any ideas?

June 7, 2010, 04:26 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	You can measure the bullet diameters to check that they're normal. And do be sure you are using the sizing and decapping die and not the crimp die to size them, but I suspect it is most likely you've got hold of some R-P or other thin mouth brass to reload. The darn R-P stuff is so thin, hard and springy that it often doesn't resize properly without a special extra narrow die. I believe Lee will make you one if you need it, but the thin, hard necks split earlier than thicker, softer brass, so I don't see that as worthwhile? Try a different case brand with a thick enough mouth wall, like Winchester, Federal, or Starline. Loose bullets are an unsafe condition because feeding can drive them deeper into the case, which raises pressure. If the bullets are not normal diameter, that's your problem and you should get replacements, but if it is the brass, pitch it. Calipers are not usually more accurate than the nearest thousandth or so, so measure a known good bullet for comparison, first, or use an OD thimble micrometer for the diameter measurement. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 7, 2010, 05:05 PM	#3
Mike-Mat Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 361	This is a lead cast bullet, right? I just had that happen to me. Managed to find the happy medium of OAL and proper seating after fooling around with it. I may not have as much crimp as I'd like, but the bullets are in there firm. __________________ Mike Mattera - Tips For Mfg Video Training For CadCam Systems http://www.tipsforcadcam.com

June 10, 2010, 11:18 AM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	relax, deep breath, exhale.... Examine the seat die; ensure ONLY the seating portion is in use (screw the stem down into the die farther). Use the seat die to seat only; allow no other portion of it to contact the case in any fashion. Then crimp with die #4. (Try 5.2g Power Pistol, OAL 1.135--1.145"). __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"