Tarkid
09-28-2013, 01:35 AM
I've had this mould for many years and have had great success using it as a light .357 revolver load. Recently I started loading for a new M&P 9c 9mm and it's definitely a different ball game. Some stats, and then the problems:
Mould: Lyman "9mm CON 120 gr TC", number 356402 -- http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details.php?entryID=4
Lead is range lead with a wee bit of wheel weights (ww hard to get in Kalifornia)
Diameter as-cast: 0.358 (really!)
Sizing die: RCBS 0.355
Barrel as-slugged: 0.3525 - 0.3530 (seems kinda tight)
All cases trimmed to 0.890 and lightly chamfered
The first problem is they don't seem to feed reliably. I bought a Lyman Pistol Max Cartridge Gauge and a separate Lee crimping die. I had no idea crimping was as important as it is with semi-auto rounds and thought I had this issue licked with the crimping die, but that didn't solve it totally. I'm testing each finished cartridge in the Gauge to ensure they don't exceed the SAAMI maximum dimensions it checks, but still not 100% feed reliability. I've tried a pretty wide range of overall length and it gets better and worse, but still not 100%. I polished the feed ramp, it shines like a mirror. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
The second problem I think I know the answer to but would appreciate your opinions. When I size these boolits, the front edge of the forward band, which started out nice and square with the base all the way around, becomes sort of lop-sided. If you set the boolit on the bench and slowly spin it like a top the leading edge of that forward band is up and down. I think sizing it down .003" is too much and is causing this. Is this a problem for anybody else?
After a lot of experimenting I was about to give up on this mould and order one of the 1R Ball patterns, but I keep seeing threads where folks are having success with this bullet, so I'm hoping it's my inexperience with semi-auto cast boolits. I've been casting for 40 years but until recently it's all been rifle and revolver. They are definitely way less picky than these semi-autos! I'm having another set of problems with 45acp in an XD 5", but that's another thread. Any pointers on the 9mm would be appreciated. I'm longing for a day at the range without every magazine having one or more feed issues.
Tarkid
Mould: Lyman "9mm CON 120 gr TC", number 356402 -- http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details.php?entryID=4
Lead is range lead with a wee bit of wheel weights (ww hard to get in Kalifornia)
Diameter as-cast: 0.358 (really!)
Sizing die: RCBS 0.355
Barrel as-slugged: 0.3525 - 0.3530 (seems kinda tight)
All cases trimmed to 0.890 and lightly chamfered
The first problem is they don't seem to feed reliably. I bought a Lyman Pistol Max Cartridge Gauge and a separate Lee crimping die. I had no idea crimping was as important as it is with semi-auto rounds and thought I had this issue licked with the crimping die, but that didn't solve it totally. I'm testing each finished cartridge in the Gauge to ensure they don't exceed the SAAMI maximum dimensions it checks, but still not 100% feed reliability. I've tried a pretty wide range of overall length and it gets better and worse, but still not 100%. I polished the feed ramp, it shines like a mirror. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
The second problem I think I know the answer to but would appreciate your opinions. When I size these boolits, the front edge of the forward band, which started out nice and square with the base all the way around, becomes sort of lop-sided. If you set the boolit on the bench and slowly spin it like a top the leading edge of that forward band is up and down. I think sizing it down .003" is too much and is causing this. Is this a problem for anybody else?
After a lot of experimenting I was about to give up on this mould and order one of the 1R Ball patterns, but I keep seeing threads where folks are having success with this bullet, so I'm hoping it's my inexperience with semi-auto cast boolits. I've been casting for 40 years but until recently it's all been rifle and revolver. They are definitely way less picky than these semi-autos! I'm having another set of problems with 45acp in an XD 5", but that's another thread. Any pointers on the 9mm would be appreciated. I'm longing for a day at the range without every magazine having one or more feed issues.
Tarkid