Stoph

Hi Power Jack: I normally try for OAL of 1.55 to 1.15, depending on whether I am loading FP or RN. I haven't used the chamber test with my 9mm much (but I do with my .44 Mag revolver reloads). Muncie21: Using a Dillon Case gage for both my 9mm and .44 Mag reloading activities. Do you recommend the Shockwave tool? Do you consider it more accurate? TobyJ: I may revisit the flare. Initially I was having trouble getting the bullet to stay put during seat-there hadn't been enough flare. Does anyone else hold the bullet until it starts up into the seating die? Any finger injuries? All: Thanks for the input and affirmation that I am on the right road. I've been trying different weights and diameters of bullets, to see what works best in my Glocks (have a 17 Gen 4 and a 43), as well as trying different powders, different charges. I have noticed some brands of brass must be thicker than others, and of course the bullet can be either .355" or .356". I am trying to get to the place where I can detect "trouble brass" BEFORE I spend much time on it. As to bullets, at lest in semiauto pistols, I think I am growing a preference for other that flat points. Maybe it's because the ones I've tried are .356", but they all create a "mid-case bulge". They pass case gauge, but still give me trouble feeding out of certain mags and chambering properly; I have to pull the slide back and release to get them to finish chambering,

Right about the dies difference; but I picked up a partner press (no dies) so I could use it to size bullets I’m casting. The lee undersized die fits it great. its an extra step, deprime/size, then run the round thru the SDB. Works well for most (not tulammo or others crimped primer 9mm)

I appreciate hearing there are reasons and remedies for what I’m seeing. I’ve not heard of the Glock “smile” before, but will be alert for it in future. Someone recommended a Lee undersized 9mm sizing die, which does what it sounds like the bulge buster or push-through dies would do? Thanks for your help.

I appreciate hearing there are reasons and remedies for what I’m seeing. I’ve not heard of the Glock “smile” before, but will be alert for it in future. Someone recommended a Lee undersized 9mm sizing die, which does what it sounds like the bulge buster or push-through dies would do? Thanks for your help.

I posted for the first time a while back about my newly rediscovered enjoyment of reloading 9mm and .44Mag. I have a vintage 1986 Square Deal press, which between Dillon and me now has a few newer parts and overall works great. I am gradually getting wiser as to how to ensure quality at various points in my process-installing an inexpensive light near the bullet setting station, to ensure powder level looks right, using a case gauge on the finished rounds BEFORE I take them anywhere near a range. I also check and record the COL for that particuar batch. I've become a brass collecting fiend on my range visits. I sort the brass pretty carefully, culling out the .380, .40, +P, etc. I then clean the brass in a tumbler-really prefer the walnut media for getting them clean. I notice though with these once or more-fired cases that I'm getting anywhere from 5-15% which fail to fit in the case gauge. Most fit great, easy in easy out; these few absolutely refuse. Haven't traced it to a particular brand. I ensured my sizing die was going all the way down the length of the case, I began checking COL more frequently, thinking maybe I'm seating the bullet too deeply and bulging the case. I spend a little while after every loading session with the bullet puller, trying to save the bullets and powder. Recently I heard about an "undersized" sizing die made by Lee and maybe some others, which sizes the case .001-.003 smaller than spec. Supposedly competition shooters who want to avoid ANY problems feeding use them, as do some who experience some problems with re-using range brass. I have an RCBS partner press I picked up for a good price, thinking I'd use it for sizing cast bullets. The undersized die would fit this; and I could pre-size my used brass before putting them thru the Square Deal. Does anyone have any experience with these? Is it a good idea? Should you seat the bullet not as deep, since shrinking the case might increase the pressure?

Sarge, Thanks for your reply. I am using a Dillon Square Deal B, originally for .44 magnum. Got the conversion dies for 9mm, and have had a crash course in getting seating depth and powder measure/bell flaring dies adjusted right. I don't think I've done anything to ensure the sizing die is going down to kissing distance as you suggest. Will check that asap. Bullets. Tried some Berry's 115 gr plated RN (.356") Berry's 124 gr plated RN (.356") Hornady 115gr RN (.355") Speer 125 gr LRN (.356") Berry's 147 gr FP (.356") Thanks!

I am relatively new to reloading. My dad and I did some for .44 magnum many years ago, but I'm just getting back into it, more thoughtful this time. I am loading mostly 9mm, with a Dillon progressive reloader, and I'm understanding that COL is important. The longer or shorter than "the norm" your round is, the lower or higher will be the pressure for the particular load and bullet weight than "the norm". I've been loading practice ammo thus far, well within recommended limits, so COL has not been a problem. I've begun using a case gauge recently on my finished products before boxing them for range use. I found out the hard way that some rounds wouldn't chamber, not due to length but to case girth, like the size die hadn't done its job. I now catch these before going to the range, but after I've loaded the round. Seems like about 5-6 out of every hundred. It's slow work to disassemble the faulty rounds, trying to save the bullets and powder-usually not the casing. I retrieve my range brass (plus some) each visit, sort out all but "9mm Luger" casings, no +P or other such. I then clean with spent primers intact, to keep media out of the pocket. Does anyone take the time to deprime/resize, then check case fit in a gauge BEFORE reloading? Any more experienced than I have suggestions? Thanks!