218bee
.44 mag
Montana Golds?
Armscor FMJ FN 158grn .38Spl and 180grn .40 S&W.Montana Golds?
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.The last few years I have been practicing a bit more and I am considering reloading. I’m thinking I will start off with just 9mm and 45acp. I have been looking at the RCBS Rock Chucker supreme master reloading kit. I have zero experience in this area and would appreciate any advice.
Armscor FMJ FN 158grn .38Spl and 180grn .40 S&W.
I gave them all a once over with it.Use the Chamfer/ debur tool?
Should on new brass
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: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.
The case should be crimped either when the bullet is seated or after. I like using the Lee carbide factory crimp die for this.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.
Agree. I assume he has a reloading manual. I hope he does. Shouldn't be reloading without one.The ABCs of Reloading and the Lee reloading manual have very good explanations of the steps and process required.
The ABCs of Reloading and the Lee reloading manual have very good explanations of the steps and process required.
I have the speer manual and the Lyman manual. I’m rereading a few sections in the Lyman book to see if that helps.Agree. I assume he has a reloading manual. I hope he does. Shouldn't be reloading without one.
You may just need to tighten the expander die a bit more.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.
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.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.
I’m going to check that out tomorrow.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.
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.I’m going to check that out tomorrow.
If it is rough what do I polish it with? I’m imagining a really high grit sandpaper ?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.
It’s tough to judge 1/2 and 1/4 turns without an indexing point
I use a sharpie on my crimp die.make them .. prick punch or sharpie pen ..
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.If it is rough what do I polish it with? I’m imagining a really high grit sandpaper ?
As far as I know yes it is. It is marked 38/9mm.IS that the right die for the caliber you are reloading?