Tumbling problems

[jcameron996]

I an having problems with bullets tumbling from a Springfield xd 9mm. The bullets are Lee 120 TC ES powder coated harbor freight red and sized .357 with a Lee push through sizer. I am pretty sure I am causing my problem with the Lee factory crimp die swaging the bullet back down to around .356. I am loading on a Dillon 650 using Lee dies. I am leaning towards changing out to the Dillon three die, seating with a taper crimp on the last stage and do away with the factory crimp die. What is everyone using to ensure accuracy and reliability?

[dahermit]

I have found that Lee Factory Crimp Dies (for handgun cartridges---not to be confused with the Lee Factory Crimp Dies for rifles), post size the lead bullets way too small. Take a couple of loaded rounds that you have applied the L.F.C. Die and pull the bullets, measure them...you may find them considerably undersized (mine went to about .354 for the 9MM). I ended up knocking the Carbide ring from my L.F.C. dies and using them just as a separate crimp die with no post-sizing of the cartridge. Powder Coating is not likely to have anything to do with your bullets tumbling in flight.

[jcren]

What does your barrel slug and is that the tumble lu a mold or the standard? To verify if the fcd is your problem, pull and measure a bullet before crimping.

[jcameron996]

Barrel slugs at .3555 and the factory crimp die is knocking it back to .3560-.3565 from the
.3575 it started at.

[jcameron996]

It's a standard lube groove mold.

[jcren]

I am afraid you have exceded my assistance here, I load that and other boolits for .380's but don't have a 9. I do size to .358 (both guns slug .356) and have no problems with the fcd in most brass. I have noticed that Winchester brass tends to be thicker, squeezing the lead more at the fcd.