218bee
.44 mag
Montana Golds?
Considering getting into Reloading
- Thread starter Depick
- Start date
MothMan
.338 Win Mag
Armscor FMJ FN 158grn .38Spl and 180grn .40 S&W.
mgunner
.45 acp
Been reloading for several years. Started and still use a Lee classic cast turret press. I started with the kit and have updated some acessories. The turret works fine for my shooting needs.
My advice is to buy a press that fits your shooting needs. If you shoot a lot, then a progressive may be a good choice. Otherwise a turret or single stage is fine. For me, I liked the idea of the turret because it allows me to also use it as a single stage as well. If you do get a progressive press, pay attention to what your doing. Don't get hypnotized by watching it operate while neglecting to stay aware that your powder charge is dropping the correct amount of powder for every round. I would suggest you use a powder cop die as well.
Last edited:
Acer-m14
.950 JDJ
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
Taking up the .45 Colt! EeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaa!!!!
Robin
Robin
Depick
.308 Win
Well I finally got started this afternoon. I set up the RCBS expanding die and ran 50 brand new pieces of 9mm brass through the press. It seems like each piece of brass is being shaven a little by the die. Before expanding the brass measures..3755 and after it measures .3785 which barely holds the bullet. I tried lubed and unlubed cases. Not to sure if I am doing something wrong.
I can’t get the priming feature on the press to work smoothly either. It only seats the primer after enough force is applied and it slams in. I’m going to switch to the hand primer and see if that is any different.
I can’t get the priming feature on the press to work smoothly either. It only seats the primer after enough force is applied and it slams in. I’m going to switch to the hand primer and see if that is any different.
Last edited:
Depick
.308 Win
I gave them all a once over with it.
mgunner
.45 acp
The die is shaving the brass? I use Lee dies so not familiar with RCBS dies but I never heard of that before. Then again I've only used fired brass. Just to be sure, you're talking about the expander die that flares the case mouth, not the resizing die? Here are some things to check:
- Do a search on Google to see if anyone else has this issue with new brass.
- Are you using the correct die? Is it all steel or does it have a carbide sleeve? Double check the item or model number on your die by looking it up on the RCBS website or another site like Midway to make sure it's the correct die.
- Where is the brass being shaved? Is it possible that your brass is not aligning with the die? Make sure your brass is all the way into the shell plate. If it is, is your ram out of alignment? To check take a piece of brass and run it up into the die while watching it from underneath with a flashlight. Is the mouth of the brass going into the die without hitting the outside edge of the die? Look at the sides of you brass. Can you see an area that's being shaved? Is it in the same location on all your brass? If it is then take a look inside your die with a flashlight to see if there are brass rub marks inside. If there are do a search online to see if others have that problem. It may be a defective die.
As far as sizing goes for the bullet::
- Is it the correct size for 9mm?
- Read the directions is there a way to adjust the die? Maybe by backing it out a bit? My Lee expanding die is adjusted by first setting it so it touches the shell plate and then backing it out a little. Then I run a piece of brass to check the flare. Then adjust it from there depending if I need more or less flair. I'm assuming your die works the same way?
- When you place the bullet in the case mouth does it stay there or is it falling into the case? If it's actually falling into the case you have the wrong die or there may be a way to adjust it as I mentioned.
- email or call RCBS and let them know what's going on. They may be able to help.
Shaving the brass is a mystery to me so let me know if you find out what it is. The mouth flair is probably a die adjustment issue so read the instructions that came with your die.
Oh and congratulations on getting into reloading. Don't let this issue get you down. All of us run into something that gets us scratching our heads when starting. Mine was with a particular cast bullet that just would not chamber. The thread is on this site. So just methodically take your time in trying to figure out your issue. Remember you can always call RCBS for help if you just can't figure it out yourself with some online research. Let me know what happens.
Last edited:
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
The case should be crimped either when the bullet is seated or after. I like using the Lee carbide factory crimp die for this.
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
The ABCs of Reloading and the Lee reloading manual have very good explanations of the steps and process required.
mgunner
.45 acp
Agree. I assume he has a reloading manual. I hope he does. Shouldn't be reloading without one.
Depick
.308 Win
I have the speer manual and the Lyman manual. I’m rereading a few sections in the Lyman book to see if that helps.
Depick
.308 Win
So far my internet research has brought two possibilities.
1.) The magtech brass i am using is brand new and has a burr from the factory trim. I did not chamfer the inside of the case before expanding so the expander die is doing it for me.
2.) Issues with the expander pie itself.
I’m going to deburr a few cases and see if that makes any difference.
1.) The magtech brass i am using is brand new and has a burr from the factory trim. I did not chamfer the inside of the case before expanding so the expander die is doing it for me.
2.) Issues with the expander pie itself.
I’m going to deburr a few cases and see if that makes any difference.
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
You may just need to tighten the expander die a bit more.
Would be a good idea to read the manual and / or the instructions that came with the dies.
Also, you can practice on range brass so you're not learning on the good stuff.
Depick
.308 Win
I followed the instructions that came with the dies. As best as one can. It’s tough to judge 1/2 and 1/4 turns without an indexing point. And that is a good idea I’m going to run some old brass to get things figured out.
gun_slinger_boy
.338 Win Mag
Check the nipple (that's what she said). The rounded part that actually goes into the case mouth. Is it rough or smooth as a babies ass? It should be smooth. If not you could then polish it. Any method will do as long as it doesn't take a ton of material off. For obvious reasons. I've noticed this very thing with some lee dies. Most of the time they are fine but every once in a blue moon you get a set that's a little rough on the nipples. Lubing the cases will also work but I don't think you want to do this with most pistol cases. Also you'd have to use something like One Shot as to not interfere with the powder and primers.
Depick
.308 Win
I’m going to check that out tomorrow.
gun_slinger_boy
.338 Win Mag
Cool. Remember that the last mm or 2 from the top of the nipple is the critical part. That's what does the actual flaring. The rest of the nipple is superfluous besides alignment to get into the case.
Depick
.308 Win
If it is rough what do I polish it with? I’m imagining a really high grit sandpaper ?
Acer-m14
.950 JDJ
posting some before and after photos of the brass could also help us to help you
Acer-m14
.950 JDJ
make them .. prick punch or sharpie pen ..
mgunner
.45 acp
I use a sharpie on my crimp die.
gun_slinger_boy
.338 Win Mag
You could do that but... Work smarter not harder. If you have a drill or press with a big enough chuck you could chuck it up and polish it that way. It will be way more consistent. Also, use very mild abrasive. Very high grit sandpaper, Nu Finish or even Flitz although that's a bit more aggressive. I'd personally start out with a car wax/polish, some cut up jeans or tshirt and put the polish on the cloth. Then with the chucked up expander just spin it with the polishing cloth pinched between my fingers and the expander. Check often, clean often. It honestly probably wouldn't take long at all. This is of course IF it even needs to be done.
Last edited:
Depick
.308 Win
gun_slinger_boy
.338 Win Mag
Mystery solved.
ETA. Will you be using a vibratory tumbler or wet tumbling? If you're going to use a vibratory tumbler this may not even be an issue after your first firing. Reason being, a vibratory never gets the casings 100% clean. The carbon will act as a lubricant. The brass will also be a bit more worked and elastic. As an experiment, if you still have some casings you didn't load up yet, try sizing one and then lubing it. Make sure to get the inside. Clean the expander bell off thoroughly. Then bell the casing. If you still get some shavings/brass dust the bell is definitely slightly out of spec/rough. Polishing it would still be the solution to the problem.
ETA. Will you be using a vibratory tumbler or wet tumbling? If you're going to use a vibratory tumbler this may not even be an issue after your first firing. Reason being, a vibratory never gets the casings 100% clean. The carbon will act as a lubricant. The brass will also be a bit more worked and elastic. As an experiment, if you still have some casings you didn't load up yet, try sizing one and then lubing it. Make sure to get the inside. Clean the expander bell off thoroughly. Then bell the casing. If you still get some shavings/brass dust the bell is definitely slightly out of spec/rough. Polishing it would still be the solution to the problem.
Last edited:
Depick
.308 Win
As far as I know yes it is. It is marked 38/9mm.