Re: plated bullets, .355 vs .356

[mtwain56]

Started reloading with double plated 9mm 124gr with diameter of .356. Having lots of rejects. OTHER plated bullets I have are slightly less .355. Would that help!  Using mixed brass mostly Win., Fed.,CBC.

Any ideas of opinions?

Edited March 7, 2021 by mtwain56
Inserted word "OTHER"! Would that help?

[lefty o]

if the bullets themselves are not consistant, you need to find a different bullet.

[mtwain56]

1 hour ago, lefty o said:

if the bullets themselves are not consistant, you need to find a different bullet.

My apologies, I didn't word it correctly. 

[superdude]

What do you mean by rejects?

 

[RedlandsShooter]

Without knowing more about the specifics it is hard to offer advice.  A photo of a reject with an explanation included on what you think is the issue would likely get some feedback.

[louu]

Are you using your barrel to come up with the rejects? 

 

What gun is this?

 

What brand bullet? 

 

Are you using a Lee factory crimp die? 

[mtwain56]

I shoot Glocks! I use a Loan Wolfe barrel to as a case gauge as its tighter then the glock barrel. If it plunks in the LW I'm good to go in both. If a round doesn't

On 3/5/2021 at 6:52 PM, rooster said:

Does your round pass the plunk test in the barrel your going to use it in? If it does then you know with that round any that sticks out just a rim width will fit your gun. What your trying to do is make the round fit the gauge, when it might already fit your barrel. If it doesn’t fit your barrel then you have to find out why. Get a commercially made round  and duplicate the measurements. Get a SAMMI 9mm drawing and mimic those dimensions. The bottom line though is if it’s fits your barrel your gtg.

pass the the LW I see if it plunks in the glock barrel. I have about 20% that don't pass both. The bullet is Berry's 124 plated rn.

Edited March 7, 2021 by mtwain56
Add on 20% that don't pass both

[Joe4d]

your ammo is either too long or too big around.   Sounds simple.

 

Start with OAL,,, thats usually the culprit. Your ammo is just at the max,,, So some that are a little longer dont fit.. Shorten the OAL .020"

 

Next issue is too big around. Could be caused by sizing issues,,, make sure your size die is adjusted as far down as you can get it, so it is just clear of the shell plate.

next is your seat/crimp die.  Most folks seat in one step and just barely remove the bell from the powder flare station. Then crimp in a separate step, as seating and crimping at once can be a PIA, and actually result in oversized ammo...  Basically your crimp part crimps, before bullet is fully seated which will slightly bulge brass a hair.. just enough to fail plunk test.

[RedlandsShooter]

Joe4d has some good advice.  Aother culprit is a bulge at the bottom or top of the case.    If the bullet fails the plunk after barely entering the chamber your problem is high on the case, right below where the bullet ends in the case.  If your bullet plunks and almost makes it all the way into the chamber then you are dealing with a low bulge.  Try a Lee undersized full length die to remedy the low bulge.  If you have a bulge higher up on the case, and have the ability to reconfigure your press, then try a seating die separate from the crimp die (requires two stations instead of one).

[mtwain56]

2 hours ago, Joe4d said:

your ammo is either too long or too big around.   Sounds simple.

 

Start with OAL,,, thats usually the culprit. Your ammo is just at the max,,, So some that are a little longer dont fit.. Shorten the OAL .020"

 

Next issue is too big around. Could be caused by sizing issues,,, make sure your size die is adjusted as far down as you can get it, so it is just clear of the shell plate.

next is your seat/crimp die.  Most folks seat in one step and just barely remove the bell from the powder flare station. Then crimp in a separate step, as seating and crimping at once can be a PIA, and actually result in oversized ammo...  Basically your crimp part crimps, before bullet is fully seated which will slightly bulge brass a hair.. just enough to fail plunk test.

Thank you.

[mtwain56]

1 hour ago, RedlandsShooter said:

Joe4d has some good advice.  Aother culprit is a bulge at the bottom or top of the case.    If the bullet fails the plunk after barely entering the chamber your problem is high on the case, right below where the bullet ends in the case.  If your bullet plunks and almost makes it all the way into the chamber then you are dealing with a low bulge.  Try a Lee undersized full length die to remedy the low bulge.  If you have a bulge higher up on the case, and have the ability to reconfigure your press, then try a seating die separate from the crimp die (requires two stations instead of one).

Going to start with joe4d advice first, if a Lee undersized full length die us used, is a separate press needed? Thanks.

[RedlandsShooter]

No, the Lee undersized die just replaces the current decaping/sizing die you are currently using.

[mtwain56]

2 hours ago, RedlandsShooter said:

No, the Lee undersized die just replaces the current decaping/sizing die you are currently using.

Great, thanks again!

[Intheshaw1]

You could always size a couple cases, gauge them, and then load a regauge the same cases. That will tell you right off the bat that if the sized cases don't gauge then it's a sizing issue. But if they gauge after sizing but not after loading then it's on to trouble shooting a few different things like oal, crimp, crooked bullet, etc.

[mtwain56]

Thank you, going to attack this problem today. All the input is very useful.