HDS
08-14-2012, 04:07 AM
I set up my XL650 for the first time this weekend to reload 9mm, at the moment I am using uncalibrated and tumble lubed 147gr cast bullets that I've made using Mihecs 147gr BB bullet design, they drop at .359 from the block. It's pretty fat but they drop into my glock factory barrels chamber without any problems.
The problem I do have is that I am getting inconsistent OAL, it's not the seating die either, the OAL is all within spec (1.145") after being seated. It's after crimping that the OAL problems turn up, they get longer after they are crimped. To me it feels like the crimp die is catching on the bullet itself and pulling it out as the cartridge is pulled back out of the die.
I tried recrimping one round multiple times and it got progressively longer each time, when I got to 1.165" I stopped trying. I don't really know what todo here to address this issue. Have I set up the die wrong somehow? Or do I need another type of die more friendly to cast bullets?
Also as an aside....
Some people have talked about expanders and M-dies and whatnot in response to my problem, and while those seems like potential problems for cast bullet reloading, for completely different reasons though, I don't see how it has any link to OAL issues like mine?
A question on the M-die which seems to come up so often in any 9mm search on this forum, can it be used with the dillon measure, or would it require a dedicated station? I got the impression the latter is true, which would rule it out for me.
I am thinking maybe a custom sized version of the dillon expander might be the better solution if I wanted to address the expander issue. It doesn't have any bearing on my OAL problems AFAIK but it might be nice to have for its own set of reasons.
The problem I do have is that I am getting inconsistent OAL, it's not the seating die either, the OAL is all within spec (1.145") after being seated. It's after crimping that the OAL problems turn up, they get longer after they are crimped. To me it feels like the crimp die is catching on the bullet itself and pulling it out as the cartridge is pulled back out of the die.
I tried recrimping one round multiple times and it got progressively longer each time, when I got to 1.165" I stopped trying. I don't really know what todo here to address this issue. Have I set up the die wrong somehow? Or do I need another type of die more friendly to cast bullets?
Also as an aside....
Some people have talked about expanders and M-dies and whatnot in response to my problem, and while those seems like potential problems for cast bullet reloading, for completely different reasons though, I don't see how it has any link to OAL issues like mine?
A question on the M-die which seems to come up so often in any 9mm search on this forum, can it be used with the dillon measure, or would it require a dedicated station? I got the impression the latter is true, which would rule it out for me.
I am thinking maybe a custom sized version of the dillon expander might be the better solution if I wanted to address the expander issue. It doesn't have any bearing on my OAL problems AFAIK but it might be nice to have for its own set of reasons.