9mm Reloading Issue

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Wenatchee Kid

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I have the Dillon 550 with Dillon dies, except for the crimp, which is a Lee Factory Crimp die. The problem I'm having is getting the rounds to go into the chamber gauge/barrel correctly. Here are the specs I'm dealing with: 115 RN Blue Bullet over 5.7 grains of HS6 with a 1.165 OAL, .375 case neck, and .385 right above the case head.

I would appreciate any and all suggestions. I am attaching a picture of a round I just reloaded.
 

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Range pickup brass? I get about 5% fail rate just like that because no 9mm sizing die reaches all the way to the bottom.

If they won't guage I separate them and plunk test later. If they plunk I chootem but still keep separate from my good ammo. if they fail still, pull them and toss the brass.
 
Ken, I don't have an answer for you but out of curiosity I measured several of my loads at the neck it they were all .386. These have been used in several 9mm's....Walther PPS, Kahr, SCCY, and Sig 365; they all drop into the chamber easily. What gun doesn't take your loads? Wondering if the chamber on yours is unusually small. FWIW, my brass has been used numerous times and is many brands.

Edited: I measured several again, more carefully and got .386 rather than .389. Sorry for bum info.
 
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Re-reading your post it looks like you checked for a bulge and there isn't one.

I have a couple more suggestions
1) paint the whole thing with a magic marker. let it dry and gauge it again. then look for where the marker rubbed off.
1) pull that bullet and see if the empty brass will pass the gauge.
 
I hate the Lee FCD, but I doubt that it’s your problem. Lets see a pic of the loaded round not in the case gauge. Sometimes if you don’t expand the bullet enough you’ll get some lead in front of the case mouth.

Case gauge is usually cut to minimum chamber size, while your gun is probably larger. The case gauge is a useful tool, but it’s not the last word on how a round will fit in your gun, for that use your barrel.
 
Thanks guys. JimB-the round you see in the chamber gauge is a loaded round. I should also note that after running the brass through the sizing die it fits perfectly in the chamber gauge.
 
Ken said:
the round you see in the chamber gauge is a loaded round
Click to expand...
but all we can see is the part sticking out of the gauge... how about a pic of the whole thing?

Ken said:
I should also note that after running the brass through the sizing die it fits perfectly in the chamber gauge.
Click to expand...
before loading yes? how about after?
 
Load one without crimping it and see if it will go in your gauge.
 
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JimB said:
Lets see a pic of the loaded round not in the case gauge.
Click to expand...

Ken said:
JimB-the round you see in the chamber gauge is a loaded round.
Click to expand...

Perhaps if you had a lucite case gauge, but sadly I am unable to see through the steel one.

Please also measure the diameter of one of the bullets before you do anything with it.
 
JimB said:
Case gauge is usually cut to minimum chamber size, while your gun is probably larger.
Click to expand...
Side note: I learned that Lyman case gauges are on the larger side and EGW is min spec. Tight chamber guns like M&P 2.0’s are in between the two.

+1 to catfish’s sharpie recommendation.
 
Lee FCD sizes entire case and removes bulge. Make sure the die body is adjusted all the way down to kiss the shellplate.

And check for excess mouth flare after seating station.
 
Bulge buster. Normal sizing dies including Lee's won't always fix this.

Also 1.165 is pretty long as Beef noted. I usually try for 1.125 OAL
 
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JohnFreeman said:
Bulge buster. Normal sizing dies including Lee's won't always fix this.

Also 1.165 is pretty long as Beef noted. I usually try for 1.125 OAL
Click to expand...
OAL depends on the bullet profile. The way to check that is the plunk test, in the barrel chamber. A case gauge won’t help there, it does not simulate the chamber forward of the case mouth.

It is possible to use the Lee bulge buster for 9mm Luger, but you must use the 9mm Makarov FCD to do so, because 9mm Luger is a tapered case.
 
Cartridge OAL is probably the biggest issue. But something I've found is the different profile ( ogive ) of bullets will have an influence on cartridge OAL and plunkability. Good luck with the puzzle.
 
Well, if a sized case fits and he's using a FCD, then it is likely related to bullet seating depth OAL as suggested.

I've personally had good luck with the Lee FCD with the sizing ring. I think of it as a final overall sizing finish and final crimp. I don't crimp in the seater. After the round passes through, it should be proper diameter for the chamber.
 
For 38 super bulged at the base we would order a "custom" die from RCBS or Redding. It was just a non chamfered carbide insert. But that's not the problem here.
 
About the sizing die "kissing" the shell plate/holder, I take it a little further by another 1/8 turn or so. If you look at the junction when a case is fully inserted, there's still an air gap. I attribute that to "slack" in the system being taken up when under pressure. FWIW
 
Case gauges don't have a chamber profile for the bullet ogive to contact. If OAl is under max, that's not the problem here. It might still be a problem in the gun but it's not the cause of the OP's photo.

His problem comes from one of:
1) bulged brass
2) wonky bullet is not seated straight
3) coating peeled off and made a bulge near the mouth

The fact that the case checked before you loaded it doesn't rule out much, it just helps you track down where the problem originates. I had all of those above, and more, happen to me with my Lee 9mm dies. No matter how careful you are or how many times you adjust your dies there will be a few that you have to cull. Good on you for checking!
 
UPDATE: Guys-thanks so much for your suggestions! After trial & error, I finally got the reloaded rounds to both chamber via the chamber gauge and double checked them with a Lonewolf barrel. All is well. I appreciate the help!!!!!
 
Toprudder said:
OAL depends on the bullet profile. The way to check that is the plunk test, in the barrel chamber. A case gauge won’t help there, it does not simulate the chamber forward of the case mouth.

It is possible to use the Lee bulge buster for 9mm Luger, but you must use the 9mm Makarov FCD to do so, because 9mm Luger is a tapered case.
Click to expand...

Agree Mr Rudder, it's the 9Mak that does the trick. I use it ever time with SMG empties! I've done thousands with that. Use case lube!
 
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