Case tension issues

chris in va · June 2, 2010, 08:31 PM

I've loaded thousands of 9mm using range pickup brass. Using my Lee dies, most of my .358 sized boolits will seat fine, but some cases are apparently made of tissue paper and seat a LOT deeper with nearly zero resistance felt in the press.

It's really not that bad of an issue as I have to load for two different OAL's (one at 1.01, the other 1.09) but it's still irritating.

Suggestions?

WESHOOT2 · June 2, 2010, 08:42 PM

For much-used 'range brass' I use and most highly recommend the LEE Carbide 'U' undersized sizing die.
You gotta call.

Sevens · June 2, 2010, 10:13 PM

It's been my experience that most "loose" pistol brass is clearly marked R-P on the headstamp. It's thin in the case mouth and doesn't give the same tension that most all of the others do.

I'm not saying it's bad brass, I'm not saying it's cheap brass and I'm not saying that it doesn't last as long -- but I am definitely saying that it's thinner in the case mouth than many/most all others.

Cat Hunter · June 2, 2010, 11:02 PM

+1 with Sevens

vladan · June 2, 2010, 11:46 PM

ditto on R-P brass. I noticed it in most (pistol) calibers I reload

sourdough44 · June 3, 2010, 05:35 AM

Most 'new' brass goes through the sizer 1st to get good tension. I have had some like you say that can be loose even after sizing. If it will at least hold for a bit I then give it a touch with the Lee FCD, the amount depends on the cartridge.

chris in va · June 3, 2010, 07:13 AM

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out next time.

**Unclenick** · June 3, 2010, 07:38 AM

Thin mouths are so bad on R-P .45 ACP that I simply ceased picking it up at the range about 20 years ago. I'd not noticed a problem with it in .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum, but don't use them as often. The .45 ACP issue was that after one or two reloadings, it would work harden to the point it would spring back coming out of the sizing die enough that bullets would fall into the case mouths. You can check for that after sizing and before you prime, but when I got my Dillon progressive that ceased to be practical. I didn't want to prime cases that wouldn't hold a bullet, so I started ignoring it and pitched any I had lying around.

WESHOOT2 · June 3, 2010, 10:22 AM

I have untold thousands of R-P 9x19 brass, both regular and +P+, waiting to be sorted.
I did all my 45 Colt load development in R-P cases.
I loaded my premium premier 45 ACP defense and "specialty" ammo in nickel R-P cases.

I noticed yesterday I still have a 'fair' quantity of new R-P cases in numerous chamberings sitting on my shelves (but I think I have more Winchester; I have alotta new brass.... IMI, Starline, Speer, but no new Federal or Hornady).

June 2, 2010, 08:31 PM	#1
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Case tension issues I've loaded thousands of 9mm using range pickup brass. Using my Lee dies, most of my .358 sized boolits will seat fine, but some cases are apparently made of tissue paper and seat a LOT deeper with nearly zero resistance felt in the press. It's really not that bad of an issue as I have to load for two different OAL's (one at 1.01, the other 1.09) but it's still irritating. Suggestions?

June 2, 2010, 08:42 PM	#2
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	wrong sizer For much-used 'range brass' I use and most highly recommend the LEE Carbide 'U' undersized sizing die. You gotta call. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

June 2, 2010, 10:13 PM	#3
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	It's been my experience that most "loose" pistol brass is clearly marked R-P on the headstamp. It's thin in the case mouth and doesn't give the same tension that most all of the others do. I'm not saying it's bad brass, I'm not saying it's cheap brass and I'm not saying that it doesn't last as long -- but I am definitely saying that it's thinner in the case mouth than many/most all others. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

June 3, 2010, 07:38 AM	#8
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Thin mouths are so bad on R-P .45 ACP that I simply ceased picking it up at the range about 20 years ago. I'd not noticed a problem with it in .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum, but don't use them as often. The .45 ACP issue was that after one or two reloadings, it would work harden to the point it would spring back coming out of the sizing die enough that bullets would fall into the case mouths. You can check for that after sizing and before you prime, but when I got my Dillon progressive that ceased to be practical. I didn't want to prime cases that wouldn't hold a bullet, so I started ignoring it and pitched any I had lying around. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 3, 2010, 10:22 AM	#9
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	mass quantities I have untold thousands of R-P 9x19 brass, both regular and +P+, waiting to be sorted. I did all my 45 Colt load development in R-P cases. I loaded my premium premier 45 ACP defense and "specialty" ammo in nickel R-P cases. I noticed yesterday I still have a 'fair' quantity of new R-P cases in numerous chamberings sitting on my shelves (but I think I have more Winchester; I have alotta new brass.... IMI, Starline, Speer, but no new Federal or Hornady). __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

June 2, 2010, 11:02 PM	#4
Cat Hunter Junior Member Join Date: March 19, 2009 Posts: 12	+1 with Sevens

June 2, 2010, 11:46 PM	#5
vladan Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 813	ditto on R-P brass. I noticed it in most (pistol) calibers I reload

June 3, 2010, 05:35 AM	#6
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 621	Most 'new' brass goes through the sizer 1st to get good tension. I have had some like you say that can be loose even after sizing. If it will at least hold for a bit I then give it a touch with the Lee FCD, the amount depends on the cartridge.

June 3, 2010, 07:13 AM	#7
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Thanks, I'll keep an eye out next time.