Have been loading .40 for years on my Dillon 550. Recently got a new tool head, powder measure and dies for 9mm. The issue I'm having is resizing and cartridge fitting in chamber. Went through a bunch of used brass and when i size them in the first station (decapping) they go into chamber no problem. Bell, seat and crimp no problem. Issue is, and I'm using a barrel from walther p99 and glock they don't go in and out of the chamber easily the same way factory ammo does and are pretty snug. Tried a few on a sig and they fall right in and out no problem. I'm trying to understand how the case is swelling near the rim and causing fitment issues. I realize a sizing gauge would be the way to go but I've always used a barrel to check my loads. I even loaded some without powder to make sure nothing was getting compressed? I think they would work but don't want to take any risks. Am I over thinking it ? Any ideas are appreciated, I hope I explained with enough detail. Thanks in advance.
sizing question 9mm
- Thread starter F5guy
- Start date
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guzma393
Active Member
If it's anything similar to what I have experienced, i ran into issues where the base wouldn't get sized properly on my 223 brass, causing reloads to not chamber correctly in my ar15. I winded up investing in a small based die to alleviate this. I also noticed that once the cases are fired and case formed to my chamber, I can use a FL sizing die thereafter to size the cases properly.
Perhaps an undersized die in 9mm would work the same way as a small base sizing die?
Perhaps an undersized die in 9mm would work the same way as a small base sizing die?
BigRick
Hooligan #15
I recently picked up a bunch of brass from my local range and I noticed that some cases wouldn't fit my gauge after resizing. I picked up a Lee U die and I've had no issues after resizing with the U die.
There is nothing wrong with using a pistol chamber to check your loads. After all, that is what you are going to shoot them in. Measure the mouth of your case after loading and make sure the mouth is @.378. Maximum for the 9mm is .381 but that won't fit in tight chambers.
sgt23preston
USMC LLA. NRA Life Member
Crimp to .378 / .379...
Consider buying a finished round gage...
IF the round fits the gage it will fit your pistol...
$19.21 Amazon...
https://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Reloading-Luger-Pistol-Cartridge/dp/B005I0ITGO
Consider buying a finished round gage...
IF the round fits the gage it will fit your pistol...
$19.21 Amazon...
https://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Reloading-Luger-Pistol-Cartridge/dp/B005I0ITGO
- Jul 29, 2014
- 49,992
GolfR
Ultimate Member
Absolutely get a case gauge and check every round. You can get 100 hole versions from double alpha and other places if you reload at volume.
Check the diameter of the bullets you are using. Not all 9mm bullets are the same. If you are using coated or plated they may be a slightly larger diameter and need a little more crimp.
Try picking up a Lee factory crimp die. They aren’t expensive and I’ve had good luck using them to ensure that even larger diameter bullets load consistently. Beware that the factory crimp die can be a little hard on your brass depending on what bullet you use. It essentially sizes the entire round during the crimp step.
Check the diameter of the bullets you are using. Not all 9mm bullets are the same. If you are using coated or plated they may be a slightly larger diameter and need a little more crimp.
Try picking up a Lee factory crimp die. They aren’t expensive and I’ve had good luck using them to ensure that even larger diameter bullets load consistently. Beware that the factory crimp die can be a little hard on your brass depending on what bullet you use. It essentially sizes the entire round during the crimp step.
Speedluvn
Active Member
I’m new to reloading and coming up to speed on the terms and abbreviations. You mean a universal depriming die?
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
Look at the cases, is there a bulge on one side down near the rim? Some firearms have less support there and you can get a bulge. This was a huge problem on early .40 Glocks.
Lee makes a setup called Bulge Buster to address this issue.
BTW, I don't gauge every round. But a few from each run.
Lee makes a setup called Bulge Buster to address this issue.
BTW, I don't gauge every round. But a few from each run.
GolfR
Ultimate Member
U is for undersized die. This Isn’t going to help the OPs issues if he is having problems with a tight fit at the crimp or around the seated bullet. The U die might help if the issue is the “glock bulge” issue at the base. The U die can also help if the bullets are falling into the case when loading which would mean smaller diameter bullets or want to skip the crimp step.
alucard0822
For great Justice
case gauges are good to have, they can help find issues quickly, and as they are made to SAAMI specs they can find problems that may or may not show up with the various dimensions of actual pistol barrels. 9mm in particular is a good candidate for a post sizing die / Lee Factory crimp die. The tapered case and huge variety of brass often will bulge a bit when rounds are seated and crimped(especially with cast or epoxy coated bullets), a final sizing will iron that out, and pretty much ensures it will feed in anything.
Speedluvn
Active Member
Thanks for the explanation
mtlcafan79
Ultimate Member
If the cases fit after sizing I doubt it's a sizing die issue. Either the bell is not being removed, or the overall length is wrong. I would compare the case mouth diameter and overall lengths on your rounds vs a factory found that fits and I bet you'll find the issue. I could never get mine right seating and crimping in the same die. I got a Lee FCD and now seat and crimp in separate steps with much better results.
PowPow
Where's the beef?
^^ This.
In fact, when loading certain cast bullets, e.g. SWC, you need to use your barrel. Most barrels these days are not throated, which is fine for RN and FMJ. With lead SWC seated to recommended COL, they likely won't plunk all the way into a non-throated barrel. Options are to reduce the COL until it plunks, or throat your barrel. I opted for the latter, bought the stuff, and did it. It took about 20 minutes.
Yup. Over the years, I have found that even Wilson case gauges that were out of spec. While case gauges are convenient, we got along very well using our barrel chambers in the sixties and seventies before more manufacturers started making affordable tooling.
How did you install your sizing die? I usually run the ram up, turn the die until it contacts the shell plate, lower ram, tigthen die another 1/8 turn and lock it down. I kind of do it by feel. You can tell how much pressure the die is putting on the ram. Might help, might not.
Dillon carbide dies
ok so after considering buying a Lee resizing die and perhaps the used brass was just weak I called Dillon and figured somethign out. First of all I ran the sizing die all the way down with turret up and didn't back off nay and also seated the bullet a little more to 1.100 fits chamber fine (seems a little short to me). A little worried about aol but if they function will be happy. Hoping it's not to short, will shoot some test rounds and look for another bullet type if necessary. oh and for full disclosure these are berry plated .355 124gr flat nose. Thanks for all the input and promise to report back.
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