RotoMetals2MidSouth Shooters SupplyInline FabricationReloading Everything
Titan ReloadingLee PrecisionRepackboxLoad Data
Wideners
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 29

Thread: PC not going into battery

  1. #1
    Boolit Master Sasquatch-1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Martinsburg, WV
    Posts
    3,211

    PC not going into battery

    Because I am too lazy to sort through all the old posting (which can be a chore here) I will ask this question and forgive me if it's been asked before.

    Does anyone else have a problem with PC bullets not going into battery and then having to have considerable force used to remove them? I size before and after powder coating. I have had this problem with both 9mm and 45 acp.

    At the range yesterday another shooter had the same problem using a commercially powder coated bullet and some coated by another shooter. They tried these in 2 or 3 different guns with the same results.

    Any solutions.
    A vote for anyone other then the conservative candidates is a vote for the liberal candidates.

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
    zarrinvz24's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Heart of the Lowcountry, SC
    Posts
    454
    What type of firearms? It could be the barrel throat or leade is too short for your sized diameter.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Plymouth County, IA
    Posts
    708
    Are they engaging the rifling? The PC is likely "fattening-up" (a technical term) the nose. You might need to seat them slightly deeper.
    Take a kid to the range, you'll both be glad you did.

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy slam45's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Siskiyou Mountains
    Posts
    114
    Sasquatch

    powder coating increases the size of all the boolit... not just the bearing surfaces, which is the only part sizing touches... choices for dealing with it include:loading the rounds to a shorter OAL, reaming the throat and lead of the barrel to take the larger non bearing area of the nose, find a system for sizing the nose, or get a mold with a nose shape that does not interfere when powder coated... must be more and I'm sure others will let you know... as a lube-sizing caster, I've collected molds that just lightly engrave the rifling when chambered and would not work well coated.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master Cast10's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    586
    I’m a relative new guy here and just completed my first test loads and have done my second PCing.

    Using my boolits for pistol and carbine and notice carbine would not go into battery unless forced and then forced to eject. Check your COAL. I had to shorten my length and seat the bullet a bit deeper. All was good after that and test shots were without incident.

  6. #6
    Vendor Sponsor

    DougGuy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    just above Raleigh North Carolina
    Posts
    7,395
    You don't tell us much. What guns what caliber for starters. There are NUMEROUS threads covering the 45 ACP 1911 feeding there is a current thread where the OP PC'd boolits and had the same issues, his issue was solved by throating the barrel which is the most practical thing to do, or you can seat deeper but compensate the load for the shorter COA.

    DO NOT force feed your gun into battery! Boolit setback can occur which will drive pressures dangerously high when you fire that round, you can blow the gun up pretty easy with setback.

    You cut off the most significant online source for firearms reloading and casting information by not reading and searching. Your issue has been addressed OVER AND OVER.
    Last edited by DougGuy; 06-13-2021 at 10:16 AM.
    Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? 9mm, 10mm/40S&W, 45 ACP pistol barrel that won't "plunk" your handloads? 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh cylinder that needs the "step" reamed to 6° 30min chamfer? Click here to send me a PM You can also find me on Facebook Click Here.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

    Kraschenbirn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    East Central IL
    Posts
    3,448
    Had same issue with PC'd 125 gr. RNs in a couple of 9mms, switched to 125 gr. truncated cone and problem went away. Around the same time, found that I had to seat my coated 147 gr. sub-sonics .015 deeper to ensure reliable function. Both examples were in 'newer' 9mms...a SIG and a Kahr...my old Hi-Power gobbles anything I feed it.

    Bill
    "I'm not often right but I've never been wrong."

    Jimmy Buffett
    "Scarlet Begonias"

  8. #8
    Banned
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Posts
    3,409
    I always do a barrel plunk test and a function test when I load any new-to-me boolit.

    PC generally adds .001 to .003 to cast boolit diameter.

    I've never heard of any commercial casters that use powder coating due to the extra work involved, all the ones I know of use HiTek coating due to its simplicity of coating and getting a good even coat.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master OldBearHair's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Conroe TEXAS
    Posts
    671
    "but compensate the load for the shorter COA." please re-read post #6 by DougGuy

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
    Dragonheart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Katy, Texas
    Posts
    2,705
    Powder coating increases all the dimensions of a bullet, other than the actual area where the bullet contacts the sizing die. Typically that build out from the substrate is 1.5 to 3 mils, but can be more. To compound the problem, bullet designs vary as well as gun barrel dimensions. The solution to the problem is simple regardless of the caliber or make of firearm. Those that load for accuracy probably already know this, but for those new to the game I will explain.

    Overall cartridge length is paramount not only for safety but for accuracy. Back to basics; when a cartridge is chambered it is designed to headspace. Headspace is that distance from a closed bolt to the chamber face. All cases do not headspace the same, some determine the headspace off a rim, a shoulder oron the mouth of the case.

    In 9 mm & 45 ACP both are tapered cases designed to headspace on the case mouth. I will focus my comments based on these two calibers as they are the most common. Contrary to what some will tell you, case length definitely makes a difference. When chambered a case that is too long, the excess brass is forced into the bullet and chamber throat, distorting the bullet and a pressure spike when fired, assuming they chamber at all. A short case headspaces on the extractor and not on the mouth and typically results in poorer accuracy.

    So the first step in your process is to find several perfect cases to work with. In my experience I have found the best accuracy is obtained in 9 mm with a sized case that measures .750" and for 45 ACP .895" case length. You might have to go through a lot of cases to find these lengths because cartridge manufacturers cut their cases short. After literally measuring thousands of 9 mm cased I have not found a single manufacturer that actually makes a case to (SIAAM) Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute specifications. Long cases can be trimmed to the perfect size.

    Once you have a few of these cases check the sizing using a chamber gauge to make sure they are sized properly and a "perfect" case to work with. Next step is to take a Dremel rotary tool with a fine cutting dish and make two cuts opposite each other starting at the mouth of the case and going straight down past the spot where your deepest bullet base would reside.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Cut case.jpg 
Views:	26 
Size:	30.4 KB 
ID:	284479

    Once you have your case then insert your sized bullet into the mouth of the case just fare enough to hold the bullet without falling out.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	cut case with bullet.jpg 
Views:	22 
Size:	33.4 KB 
ID:	284480

    Remove the barrel from your handgun and clean the barrel thoroughly. Insert your case with protruding bullet into the barrel and push the case firmly into the chamber using finger pressure. The bullet of sufficient length and design will go into the chamber throat and stop on the rifling lands. Now remove the case from the chamber as gently as possible, a small flat blade screwdriver or other tool may be needed to get it started. Once the case is out measure the overall length of the cartridge. This measurement will give you your maxium overall cartridge length for that particular bullet. Repeat this process several times until you are satisfied you have an accurate OAL. For safety a bullet should be seated back several thousands. Best accuracy is typically found with as little jump as possible. I typically seat my powder coated bullets back about .005". This needs to be done with every bullet and barrel combination. Now set your press dies accordingly; this is where a micrometer seating die pays for itself.

    The other issue is powder coated bullet sizing. Realize this when you PC you are making a jacketed bullet. Would you buy .357 jacketed bullets to load in your 9mm, not likely, so why size a PC 9mm bullet several thousands over barrel dimensions. Slug your barrels. In my 30 + 9 mm handguns of various manufactures I have never measured a 9mm barrel that a PC .356" bullet sizing would not properly seal.

    If you follow this simple procedure you will eliminate the problem of going to the range with ammo that won't chamber.

  11. #11
    Banned
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    2,725
    Resizing forces the ogive to get a wee bit wider just above the "step". If your gun has a very precisely cut chamber it won't accept the wider bullet where it contacts the lands. (my guess)
    You will have to seat them deeper or re-size with a point forming die. (more my guess)

  12. #12
    Boolit Master Sasquatch-1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Martinsburg, WV
    Posts
    3,211
    As mentioned in the original post these were both 9mm and 45 acp. I personally have had problems with two Walther PPQ's. One in 9mm and one in 45 acp. both using Lee truncated cone bullets sized before and after coating.

    A friend had the same problem with a commercially coated 9mm bullet in a Sig. There was also the same incident with 2 1911's at the shoot I went to this past weekend along with two other guns that I don't know the make of for sure but I believe one may have been a Glock and the other a STI but not sure.

    Some of these rounds were loaded by three different people, so I can't comment on how all were loaded.

    The rounds I loaded were the Lee truncated cone tumble lube style bullet crimped with the Lee FC die. The powder was Eastwood Ford Blue and baked at 425 for 15 minutes.

    It never even dawned on me about the ogive/cone area of the bullet not being sized. I was attributing the problem to the coating springing back after sizing and loading.
    A vote for anyone other then the conservative candidates is a vote for the liberal candidates.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
    Dragonheart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Katy, Texas
    Posts
    2,705
    So many still do not realize that cast bullets are not-concentric (lopsided) when they come out of a mold. This applies to all cast bullets regardless of the quality of the mold. alloy,skill of the caster, ect. This is just the physics of the casting process and the reason for my above statement,when I said the only area that is truly round on a cast bullet is where the sizing die touches; the remainder of the bullet remains non-concentric.

    This is the reason when you create a polymer jacket on a cast bullet, a jacket that is capable of withstanding the torque spin-up of 50,000 pounds of chamber pressure, velocities on excess 3000 fps and the intense heat of ignition, the imperfect cast bullet remains non-concentric.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master


    Burnt Fingers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Tejas
    Posts
    1,938
    Quote Originally Posted by Dragonheart View Post
    Powder coating increases all the dimensions of a bullet, other than the actual area where the bullet contacts the sizing die. Typically that build out from the substrate is 1.5 to 3 mils, but can be more. To compound the problem, bullet designs vary as well as gun barrel dimensions. The solution to the problem is simple regardless of the caliber or make of firearm. Those that load for accuracy probably already know this, but for those new to the game I will explain.

    Overall cartridge length is paramount not only for safety but for accuracy. Back to basics; when a cartridge is chambered it is designed to headspace. Headspace is that distance from a closed bolt to the chamber face. All cases do not headspace the same, some determine the headspace off a rim, a shoulder oron the mouth of the case.

    In 9 mm & 45 ACP both are tapered cases designed to headspace on the case mouth. I will focus my comments based on these two calibers as they are the most common. Contrary to what some will tell you, case length definitely makes a difference. When chambered a case that is too long, the excess brass is forced into the bullet and chamber throat, distorting the bullet and a pressure spike when fired, assuming they chamber at all. A short case headspaces on the extractor and not on the mouth and typically results in poorer accuracy.

    So the first step in your process is to find several perfect cases to work with. In my experience I have found the best accuracy is obtained in 9 mm with a sized case that measures .750" and for 45 ACP .895" case length. You might have to go through a lot of cases to find these lengths because cartridge manufacturers cut their cases short. After literally measuring thousands of 9 mm cased I have not found a single manufacturer that actually makes a case to (SIAAM) Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute specifications. Long cases can be trimmed to the perfect size.

    Once you have a few of these cases check the sizing using a chamber gauge to make sure they are sized properly and a "perfect" case to work with. Next step is to take a Dremel rotary tool with a fine cutting dish and make two cuts opposite each other starting at the mouth of the case and going straight down past the spot where your deepest bullet base would reside.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Cut case.jpg 
Views:	26 
Size:	30.4 KB 
ID:	284479

    Once you have your case then insert your sized bullet into the mouth of the case just fare enough to hold the bullet without falling out.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	cut case with bullet.jpg 
Views:	22 
Size:	33.4 KB 
ID:	284480

    Remove the barrel from your handgun and clean the barrel thoroughly. Insert your case with protruding bullet into the barrel and push the case firmly into the chamber using finger pressure. The bullet of sufficient length and design will go into the chamber throat and stop on the rifling lands. Now remove the case from the chamber as gently as possible, a small flat blade screwdriver or other tool may be needed to get it started. Once the case is out measure the overall length of the cartridge. This measurement will give you your maxium overall cartridge length for that particular bullet. Repeat this process several times until you are satisfied you have an accurate OAL. For safety a bullet should be seated back several thousands. Best accuracy is typically found with as little jump as possible. I typically seat my powder coated bullets back about .005". This needs to be done with every bullet and barrel combination. Now set your press dies accordingly; this is where a micrometer seating die pays for itself.

    The other issue is powder coated bullet sizing. Realize this when you PC you are making a jacketed bullet. Would you buy .357 jacketed bullets to load in your 9mm, not likely, so why size a PC 9mm bullet several thousands over barrel dimensions. Slug your barrels. In my 30 + 9 mm handguns of various manufactures I have never measured a 9mm barrel that a PC .356" bullet sizing would not properly seal.

    If you follow this simple procedure you will eliminate the problem of going to the range with ammo that won't chamber.
    9mm and 45 ACP brass get shorter the more they are reloaded. I've never measured case length on either one.
    NRA Benefactor.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
    Dragonheart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Katy, Texas
    Posts
    2,705
    Quote Originally Posted by Burnt Fingers View Post
    9mm and 45 ACP brass get shorter the more they are reloaded. I've never measured case length on either one.
    Sorry, but that is incorrect, just the opposite, cases get longer the more they are reloaded and therein lies the safety issue, especially if you pick up range brass of dubious origin, as I do.

    When a cartridge is fired the case expands due to pressure and heat to the size and shape of the firearm's chamber. Once the case starts to cool, which is immediate, there is a a slight spring back allowing the extractor to remove the case from the chamber. However, the case does not return to the original shape and size. Wildcat cases take advantage of this and are often "fire formed" in this manner.

    To reshape the case it typically is pushed into a sizing die to allow it to once again hold the bullet and be inserted into a like size chambers. It is the heat and working of the metal that causes the metal's grain structure to lengthen and this is not just metallic cartridge cases.

    But the sizing process itself is flawed because the entire case is not resized. The shell holder does not allow the entire case to go into a sizing die, so there is always a ring just above the case's base that goes unsized. Repeated firings in unsupported chambers allows this ring to expand outward and eventually will be so large in diameter that the case will no longer chamber. This expansion of the case as it came to be known as the "Glock Bulge", but in reality this is an issue with firearms with unsupported chambers.

    This case Bulge can be removed by pushing the entire case through a properly sized die made for that purpose, further working the metal.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
    JWFilips's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Northeastern part of Penn's Woods near Slocum Hollow.
    Posts
    1,920
    You need to resize after any application of PC
    " Associate with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation: for it is better to be alone than in bad company. " George Washington

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Posts
    445
    I think it’s more to do with a profile. I’ve had problems with commercial cast and PC-d (.452) and had to seat them much lower.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master


    Burnt Fingers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Tejas
    Posts
    1,938
    Quote Originally Posted by Dragonheart View Post
    Sorry, but that is incorrect, just the opposite, cases get longer the more they are reloaded and therein lies the safety issue, especially if you pick up range brass of dubious origin, as I do.

    When a cartridge is fired the case expands due to pressure and heat to the size and shape of the firearm's chamber. Once the case starts to cool, which is immediate, there is a a slight spring back allowing the extractor to remove the case from the chamber. However, the case does not return to the original shape and size. Wildcat cases take advantage of this and are often "fire formed" in this manner.

    To reshape the case it typically is pushed into a sizing die to allow it to once again hold the bullet and be inserted into a like size chambers. It is the heat and working of the metal that causes the metal's grain structure to lengthen and this is not just metallic cartridge cases.

    But the sizing process itself is flawed because the entire case is not resized. The shell holder does not allow the entire case to go into a sizing die, so there is always a ring just above the case's base that goes unsized. Repeated firings in unsupported chambers allows this ring to expand outward and eventually will be so large in diameter that the case will no longer chamber. This expansion of the case as it came to be known as the "Glock Bulge", but in reality this is an issue with firearms with unsupported chambers.

    This case Bulge can be removed by pushing the entire case through a properly sized die made for that purpose, further working the metal.
    I'm not sure where you get your info, but straight wall cases get shorter. I thought this was common knowledge. Bottle neck cases are a different animal.

    http://vintagepistols.com/massreload...ding45ACP.html
    NRA Benefactor.

  19. #19
    Banned
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    2,725
    Post #18 has a good article:
    I believe this is another good article. The "ogive forward" idea would explain why a PC'd bullet that is sized down (only on the bearing surface) would fatten and thus change the base of the ogive, making it closer in dimension to the bearing surface of the bullet. That fatter bottom of the ogive could cause chambering problems.
    Indeed I made a custom swaging die for a friend who had problems and had to load these bullets deeper. So I changed the ogive and the problem was solved....https://www.buffalobore.com/index.ph...uct_list&c=235

  20. #20
    Banned
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    2,725
    Here are some of the notes in my file that may be interesting:
    Ogive number calculator to radius:
    #6 ogive for .308 is r =1.848”
    6 X .308” =1.848”

    Mold TL356-124-2R 9mm Luger, 38 Super, 380 ACP (356 Diameter) 124 Grain Tumble Lube 2 Ogive Radius:
    2 x.356 = .712” Radius of ogive.

    Note: 11/32” drill bit is perfect for the ogive. It is .3438”.
    The diameter of the bearing surface is .357” or .356”.
    Make the ogive extend no more than .350” for OAL of 1.09”
    I think that .300” should suffice. .320” should be a good average.
    An OAL of 1.09” leaves .350” to the case mouth.
    Although the “step” before the ogive is not ballistically desirable,
    It is often necessary for proper chambering of the cartridge because of the 9mm chambering on the mouth of the case.
    I started by using a smaller “stick out” of the ogive. Or, longer bearing surface before the ogive started. This caused the bullets to mash into the throat of the barrel and get stuck. Also preventing the proper chambering of the rounds. A longer ogive (and narrower) will solve this problem.
    This is a pic of some earlier experiments with ogives for 9MM using the TL356-124-2R molded slug. The slug on the right is the bullet dropped from that mold: (neither of these would work well because they either had to be loaded too deeply or they would not chamber.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Ogive.jpg 
Views:	26 
Size:	30.2 KB 
ID:	284837

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check