45 ACP Reloading Help

[ShamrockIV]

PLEASE HELP!!

I started reloading 45 ACP yesterday. i am having trouble. the bullets keep "tearing" the side of the case and ruining them. any ideas?? i will post a pic tonight. i am using lee full size dies.

 

[Jon]

Are you flaring the cases before you seat the bullets?

 

[ShamrockIV]

no john just full length sizing

 

[Jon]

Your die set either 3 or 4 die set, should have an expander die for slightly flaring the case mouth to accept the bullet without damaging the case mouth.

 

[ShamrockIV]

man i been flaring the crap out of them and they still are creasing the cases!!

I am getting really frustrated!!

 

[mr.big]

show a pic of a sized case that has been flared,,it looks like you need to open it up some more before seating the bullet.

 

[ShamrockIV]

i got the sizer part screwed all the way down.

i thought it might be the shape of the bullets but they fit in the seater nicely

 

[mr.big]

do you just have two dies or three???

 

[mr.big]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3kTZgfP ... re=related

 

[Jon]

Check the bullets to ensure they are not oversize. If not you are not flaring them enough.

 

[deerjackie]

could this be overcrimp? i dont do pistol just cf rifle and have seen this from overcrimping.

 

[Tiny]

could this be overcrimp? i dont do pistol just cf rifle and have seen this from overcrimping.

No over crimp from those pics although it could be possible there being crimped before the bullet being fully seated to correct OAL,however I to believe this to be Flareing related.

 

[ShamrockIV]

i have the three dies set.

i ahve the flare screwed all the way down. it looks like it is flaring maybe 1/4 inch of the case. still messign them up.

I am gonna buy some hornady bullets and see if the problem persists.
i was really hoping to get this going!!

 

[AlexDad]

If you have the 3 die set, the 3rd die is your seater AND your crimper. However, you do not want to crimp and seat at the same time. Except for revolver dies, I buy the deluxe 4 set deals. When I bought my 45acp set I could only find the 3 set, but bought the FCD separate just to have that fourth die.

You have to back your die way back out of the chuck and use your seater screw to get desired OAL. AFTER seating, then you back your seater screw way out and screw the die down to crimp. You want to crimp 45acp .469-.470.

Are you positive you are using bullets of the correct diameter? Jacketed, plated, fmj, etc are usually .451 and lead are usually .452.

Brad

 

[ShamrockIV]

not sure just bought the bullets at the reloaders bench. they were marked 45 acp

guess i will chuck these dies then and try something else. i really like lee dies though. this sux

after eading more on lee site i now know that it seats and crimps at the same time. not i really want t afour die set. seem easier to get setup right.

 

[AlexDad]

Before you chuck them, make a trip to Lebanon and I'll show you how mine are set up. Bring some of your brass, bullets and primers and we'll see where yours is set up different. Oh yeah, bring your dies too. I'm very pleased with my Lee dies. I'm sure your dies are fine and I'd rather you spend $15 for the fourth die than chuck a $30 set to buy a $42 set.

If you want to bring your gun, we'll do the "plunk" test to make sure your OAL will work out.

I'm shorter than a trip to Mt Juliet.

Brad

 

[ShamrockIV]

pm sent alexdad

 

[AlexDad]

Replied with my email.

Brad

 

[mr.big]

if you are sure you are gettin the flare right I would guess you are crimping the case about .100 before the bullet is seated,,

 

[W C]

it looks like it is flaring maybe 1/4 inch of the case.

If the case is visibly flared 1/4" down from the mouth it is WAY over flared. My die only flares maybe 1/32" down from the mouth and just enough for the bullet to sit without tipping over off the case. Sounds like overflaring and then the seating die is catching part of the case as it tries to seat the bullet.

 

[Tiny]

i have the three dies set.

i ahve the flare screwed all the way down. it looks like it is flaring maybe 1/4 inch of the case. still messign them up.

I am gonna buy some hornady bullets and see if the problem persists.
i was really hoping to get this going!!

if you are sure you are gettin the flare right I would guess you are crimping the case about .100 before the bullet is seated,,

Mr Big.

You may wish to try backing the crimper off and set the seating deapth first then the crimper.

A dummy round for each bullet being used helps out a lot when changeing around.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

Did you find out the problem?

 

[W C]

Inquiring minds want to know..............

 

[ShamrockIV]

not yet fellas. I had trainig this weekend was at the range at Tullahoma so no spare time. thinking about that 4 dies set before i try again!!

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

not yet fellas. I had trainig this weekend was at the range at Tullahoma so no spare time. thinking about that 4 dies set before i try again!!

Should have let me know, I'm not but 15 minutes fro Tullahoma, we could have met in person & eat somewhere or something.

 

[AlexDad]

not yet fellas. I had trainig this weekend was at the range at Tullahoma so no spare time. thinking about that 4 dies set before i try again!!

If you decide you need the 4th die, just buy it separately for $15. Dont' scrap a $35 set for $25 and buy a $45 set. I had to do that 'cause I couldn't find a 4 die set in stock when I started.

When I only had 3 dies I would set a bullet on the brass and raise the ram. Back the seater screw on top of the die all the back. Start screwing my die into the press and as soon as I felt some contact, I would back it out half turn. Lock the nut down right there. Then screw the top seater screw in until I felt it hit the bullet. Lower the ram and screw the seater down a turn or so. Cycle the press, remove bullet, measure OAL and keep adjusting the seater until I got the desired OAL. After seating the bullets in my batch, then I would taper crimp them.

Raise the nut on your die because you'll be screwing it in deeper now. My nut usually winds up around 7 threads from the top on crimping. Back your seater back out all the way. You don't want to seat any deeper while your crimping. Raise your ram and screw the die in until it touches the ram, back it up about 3-4 turns. Test it and measure. You want about .469-.471 depending on your gun.If you flared the mouth and set your bullet, it will probably start out at around .472-.474. Make increments of 1/8 turns until you get your desired crimp.

Where the 4th die helps me is I can leave the die I seat with unchanged and pop in an unchanged 4th die to crimp.

Offer still stands to come by and I'll show you how I do it.

Brad