WidenersInline FabricationLoad DataTitan Reloading
MidSouth Shooters SupplyReloading EverythingLee PrecisionRepackbox
RotoMetals2
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 23

Thread: Straight wall pistol brass help. Sized but not always sized?

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    294

    Straight wall pistol brass help. Sized but not always sized?

    I reloaded several rounds for my 45 LC revolver and I have noticed from time to time that after I load the brass it has a difficult time fitting in the cylinder.

    I'm thinking when I size the brass maybe I'm not going far enough down to get the full-length size. Is it the dies I'm using? I'm not sure and I have been wanting to ask this for a long time just forget.

    Like to hear what you think. I'll load 100 rounds and a few of them will not fit in the cylinder but all the rest I will have no problems with just like to fix it thanks!

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Location
    MPLS
    Posts
    1,486
    Go all the way down with the size die. May need to anneal your brass ??

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Wilmington NC
    Posts
    1,441
    If this is after a round is assembled, your bullets may be expanding the brass enough to cause problems. This can be the result of bullets that are too big and/or thicker than normal brass.

    Crimping too much can also cause a bulge.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Northern Michigan
    Posts
    8,899
    Quote Originally Posted by P Flados View Post
    If this is after a round is assembled, your bullets may be expanding the brass enough to cause problems. This can be the result of bullets that are too big and/or thicker than normal brass.

    Crimping too much can also cause a bulge.
    Most likely the case.

    Take 100 cases that have been sized but not loaded. If they all slip into the chambers easily, you have a bullet and/or crimp problem.
    Don Verna


  5. #5
    Moderator


    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Just outside Gun Barrel City, Texas
    Posts
    9,480
    I've had that problem with doing roll crimps on brass cases that were longer than the others and what the seat/crimp die was set for.
    If you can feel a little bit of bulge on the troublesome case mouths-- that's it.
    Last edited by Winger Ed.; 06-03-2023 at 12:34 AM.
    In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
    In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.


    OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
    This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
    EVERYONE!
    Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master Harter66's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    120 miles North of Texarkana 9 miles from OK in the green hell
    Posts
    5,347
    Is the brass all from your chambers? Are all of your chambers the same size ? Throats ?

    I know that sounds/looks dumb but in the world of modern CNC production its even easier to get a mismatched chamber than ever before .
    In the time of darkest defeat,our victory may be nearest. Wm. McKinley.

    I was young and stupid then I'm older now. Me 1992 .

    Richard Lee Hart 6/29/39-7/25/18


    Without trial we cannot learn and grow . It is through our stuggles that we become stronger .
    Brother I'm going to be Pythagerus , DiVinci , and Atlas all rolled into one soon .

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

    rancher1913's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    plains of colorado
    Posts
    3,640
    need a factory crimp die
    if you are ever being chased by a taxidermist, don't play dead

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    NE Kansas
    Posts
    2,421
    When sizing the cases, the size die should make light contact with the shell holder. When crimping the case mouth, it should be only as much crimp as necessary. This can depend upon whether it is a revolver round or a rifle round application. As mentioned, excessive crimp will result in the case mouth swelling just below the crimp. This can be worse when the case length varies.

    To determine where the case is contacting the chamber and does not permit chambering, apply black magic marker on the exterior of the loaded round that does not fit. It will show bright brass where the finish is scuffed off. That will tell you what you need to do to correct the problem.
    Last edited by Dusty Bannister; 06-03-2023 at 11:41 AM.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    nicholst55's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Houston, TX Metro Area
    Posts
    3,606
    Quote Originally Posted by Winger Ed. View Post
    I've had that problem with doing roll crimps on brass cases that were longer than the others and what the seat/crimp die was set for.
    If you can feel a little bit of bulge on the troublesome case mouths-- that's it.
    IMHO, this is the only justification for trimming pistol brass - to insure uniform crimps.
    Service members, veterans and those concerned about their mental health can call the Veterans Crisis Line to speak to trained professionals. To talk to someone, call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, send a text message to 838255 or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.

    If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, there is help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, text a crisis counselor at 741741 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master

    mdi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    So. Orygun
    Posts
    7,239
    Any time there is a fit issue, measure. Measure the OD of the cartridge in a few places (mouth, middle, and next to the rim, extraction groove). Finding out where is a key to finding out when and where the round becomes too big. Make sure there is no flare left in the case mouth and the bullets are the correct diameter for your cylinder/throat. Crimp just enough to keep bullets in place (using revolver bullets w/cannalure or groove?) Reread the sizing die instructions. All this will give you a good start at diagnosing your problem...
    My Anchor is holding fast!

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    WNY
    Posts
    2,502
    #3, 4, 5 are all correct answers for 95% of the time when this happens.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master


    Walter Laich's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cypress, Republic of Texas
    Posts
    3,483
    along another line of inquiry:

    do you cast your own bullets and if so, do you size them?

    sometimes bullets come out of the molds slightly larger due to the mold not closing completely

    just something else to consider
    NRA Life
    USPSA L1314
    SASS Life 48747
    RVN/Cambodia War Games, 2nd Place

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy Gobeyond's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Location
    NorCal
    Posts
    437
    What size are you sizing them to? It maybe too big!?

  14. #14
    Moderator


    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Just outside Gun Barrel City, Texas
    Posts
    9,480
    Quote Originally Posted by nicholst55 View Post
    IMHO, this is the only justification for trimming pistol brass - to insure uniform crimps.
    I don't load for any hard to find or expensive brass.
    And I'm also a taper crimp guy.
    When I have to use a roll crimp, and run into those problem children,
    I mark 'em. After firing, they get squashed with pliers, and go in the scrap bucket.
    In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
    In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.


    OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
    This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
    EVERYONE!
    Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
    dtknowles's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Southeast Louisiana
    Posts
    4,858
    I guess maybe I set my dies up differently than other people.

    Pistol sizing die, run it in so that raising the ram, the shell holder hits the bottom of the die right before the ram tops the stroke (before it toggles over top) so that way you are sure the case gets completely sized.

    I doubt that incomplete sizing is your problem but this would solve that.

    Bullet seating and crimping. I mostly do this in one step for cast bullets with crimp groove. I do it by feel again I run the die in more than most people so that I don't use the whole ram stroke so that I can feel the crimp happening. When I feel the case crimp I stop, round is done. I set the seating stem so that the bullet is properly seated when the case is crimped. Done this way case length does not matter.

    Tim
    Words are weapons sharper than knives - INXS

    The pen is mightier than the sword - Edward Bulwer-Lytton

    The tongue is mightier than the blade - Euripides

  16. #16
    Boolit Master


    dondiego's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Milan, MI
    Posts
    2,811
    Quote Originally Posted by dtknowles View Post
    I guess maybe I set my dies up differently than other people.

    Pistol sizing die, run it in so that raising the ram, the shell holder hits the bottom of the die right before the ram tops the stroke (before it toggles over top) so that way you are sure the case gets completely sized.

    I doubt that incomplete sizing is your problem but this would solve that.

    Bullet seating and crimping. I mostly do this in one step for cast bullets with crimp groove. I do it by feel again I run the die in more than most people so that I don't use the whole ram stroke so that I can feel the crimp happening. When I feel the case crimp I stop, round is done. I set the seating stem so that the bullet is properly seated when the case is crimped. Done this way case length does not matter.

    Tim
    I crimp by feel as well. I have had excellent results with various brass.

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    Posts
    9,251
    Make sure that when you seat and crimp a boolit that you don't put too much crimp and bulge out the case side wall . It's not easy to see the bulge but it will keep the round from chambering easily and if bulged out enough ... it wont chamber fully at all .

    I didn't know about crimping causing case bulges when I started and ran into that problem . Back off the crimp die setting if this is happening .
    It can happen easily when a few cases are longer that the other cases . The longer cases get more crimp , the longer brass case is the culprit and it may be causing the bulge .
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Dec 2021
    Posts
    359
    If the crimp die is bulging the cases, look into the Lee collet style factory crimp die. The cost is reasonable and case length isn't as critical.

    45_Colt

  19. #19
    Boolit Master Rapier's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    NW Florida
    Posts
    1,450
    With a straight wall case you have several considerations and all cases are not the same. Some web areas go furthur up the case than others. When using a heavy bullet for the diameter, the bullet must be longer to accommodate the weight difference, so a setting for a 250 will cause problems at the web with a 300. Examining your loaded brass will show a mid case bulge. You may can change brass to mitigate the problem if you are set on using say the 300.
    Another issue is crimping. For best accuracy you should be seating then crimping as two steps or stations on a progressive. Many times the crimp while seating gets slghtly out of order and bulges the case in the upper 1/3 of the case.
    With cast I use a taper crimp die or a progressive crimp die (combination crimp die). I only streighten the case mouth as a seperate station or step.
    I found that Remington brass was thicker than Winchester Brass/brass and when loading a 200 RCBS in a 357 Mag I had to use Win brass to not stick in the 357 Mag chambers due to expansion by the bullet base of the case web.
    As always, remove the revolver cylinder and use the chambers to do a loaded cartridge plunk test, before leaving the bench.
    “There is a remedy for all things, save death.“
    Cervantes

    “Never give up, never quit.”
    Robert Rogers
    Roger’s Rangers

    There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.
    Will Rogers

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
    tja6435's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Westcliffe, CO 81252
    Posts
    898
    Quote Originally Posted by P Flados View Post
    If this is after a round is assembled, your bullets may be expanding the brass enough to cause problems. This can be the result of bullets that are too big and/or thicker than normal brass.

    Crimping too much can also cause a bulge.
    This^. I found out in my 357 Max that if I didn’t have the boolit seated exactly to where the case mouth would crimp into the crimp groove, it would only go about half way into the chambers. Once that got sorted out, no more problems
    8500' Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado

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