alybra

Looks like a good idea. Are squibs that common among reloaders that people carry these to the range. If so, that looks like a sturdy rod for a good price. The dowel I used was starting to split.

Thanks sarge - and to all for their support. Took a hell of a pounding but it's out. Another lesson learned.

Recently started reloading...sucessfully to this point. Yesterday began a new adventure. Second shot in a magazine of nine must've been a squib. I don't recall anything sounding different but noticed immediately that the slide did not cycle. Not thinking of a squib, I cycled the slide manually and ejected the spent brass. The next round from the magazine did not load properly as there was not enough room for it to fully load. With this, I did a disassembly down to the barrel and saw the problem. Bullet stuck in barrel. After getting home, I figured I'd take a hardwood dowel and push it out. Possibly my mistake was I was pushing from the muzzle end figuring the bullet was so close to the breech end. Now I'm thinking that may have mushroomed the bullet more causing it to be even tighter. Here are the specifics I think most will want to know: Sig P226 - 124gr Montana Gold 9mm CMJ - I was starting with 4gr Titegroup (unless it was missing). Loading on a Dillon 550 using dillon dies except using a Lee carbide factory crimp die. My thoughts now are to drill part of the center out of the bullet (to relieve pressure)and try pushing from the breech end. I was thinking of mounting the barrel in a lathe and pressing it out with a dowel mounted in the tailstock. Comments suggestions welcome. Thank you.

My question regarding the COAL is not so much as to fitting in the chamber. Going shorter than maximum length should present no problems. My question is that by seating the bullet deeper into the case would it create more pressure which may potentially be dangerous as would be an excessive powder charge. The dummies that were made up setting the COAL have been run flawlessly from magazine through ejection when I manually cycle them. With more research, I have found data supporting an OAL of 1.09 so I'll load that with min powder charge. I can now see that having a chrono is a necessity (more to research). Thanks again for the input.

Thank you for all the input. As for the questions, these are for a Sig P-226 and the Hodgdon load data showing a COAL of 1.09 is showing a range of 4.1-4.4 gr of Titegroup. From your responses it seems best to adjust the COAL out to around 1.125 for a starting point (less pressure) and invest in a chrono. Thanks again

I bought a 550 from Brian last July and finally have time to set it up. Loading 9mm I have Montana Gold 124 CMJ RP and Titegroup powder. On Hodgdon's website the data says to load to a C.O.A.L of 1.090. The bullet seems to seat very deeply to accomplish this (I'm at 1.092 w/ a digital caliper). My worry is that there will be excess pressure due to decreased volume behind the bullet. I've always been cautious regarding safety. I've searched on this forum and seem to find most C.O.A.L. for this bullet to be 1.125-1.135 and see that any factory loads I have are all in this range. Does anyone have data for this exact combination of bullet and powder that they've used sucessfully. If I've left anything out please let me know. Thank you.

I think I'll use the audio for a burgular alarm...a little scarier than my Pomeranian. Come to think of it, a little scarier than most dogs I know.

Thanks for the input. Looking at the Thumbler, it seems more heavy duty than the one in the basement but I might give it a shot anyway. I'd rather put a little extra into a digital scale at this point. If not, the Cabels's link given looks like a good entry point (I should have thought of that, I have a Cabela's less than a half hours drive). And the colander idea, pure genius, maybe I'll even try the wife's salad spinner. In general, I see this is going to be a good source of info as I get started. I plan to order a 550B from here soon. Doesn't look like there's a good market for used equipment at much of a savings. Especially considering free shipping and no sales tax. Given a little time, I'm sure I'll be posting a pic of my reloading room.

Check out the photos at this page...awesome freeze of time high speed bullet photos

Alright, I'm a newbie here so let me know, is this the kind of thing to post here. Not shooting related but Evian will score big with this commercial. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Note: best to let it download and then replay so it isn't so choppy.

I'm obviously a newbie as this is my first post. I've been considering getting started in reloading and have been putting my costs together: it sure adds up quickly. Questions are: Must the brass be cleaned every time you reload or just when you want to brighten it up? My kids have an old rock tumbler in the basement, could this be used with the right media or must it be vibrated rather than tumbled. I figure starting out, my batches will be smaller anyway. Any input would be helpful as I'd rather put the money into the press to start rather than the accessories.