Saeco #115

[jcw1970]

I'm casting a Saeco #115 that is dropping 125 gr with WW over 4.2 gr ZIP. I used the lowest suggested weight for the Lyman 120 gr and I'm getting bulged cases. No primer blow back. barrel slugged at .355. bullet sized to .356 with Lars BAC. Shooting a Taurus 99. the bulge is where the case is not supported under the feed ramp. any lower charge and I wonder if it will cycle. Any one got an idea?

[MakeMineA10mm]

That's my favorite commercial boolit mould in 9mm, and is what I based my Slippery 9mm off of (for the nose).

Mine weight right at 123-125grs sized, lubed, and ready to load out of WW alloy.

With what you describe, I would guess one of two things:

1. Your feed ramp/brass' web leaves too thin a piece of brass unsupported, or

2. You're seating those boolits too deeply.

When I load mine, I aim for an OAL of 1.170" and accept anything from 1.165" to 1.175". (Yes, I know this latter figure is .006" longer than SAAMI limits on OAL, but it still works through the magazines of all my guns and has no chambering problems, even in a very tight-throated Walther P88C...) This OAL leaves just a bit of the forward driving band sticking out of the case, which is what you should look for with your eyeball.

I load my 9mm with 4.4grs of W231 (same as HP38), and ZIP is supposed to be very close to that powder in burning speed, so I don't think you're over-loading it.

[MakeMineA10mm]

Oh yes, one more thing - I used almost exclusively military brass, so it has a heavier web, but this is counter-acted by the higher pressures developed due to the reduced boiler room in the case. Shouldn't be that big of a factor, although switching to military brass might help you if the problem is the barrel ramp/brass web interface problem...

[jcw1970]

Could be the problem. OAL was 1.100. I have a beretta 92 that i'm going to test them with this weekend.