9mm chamber / barrel question?

[bohoki]

try wrapping a bore brush with some 600 grit wet dry and use it on a drill to polish the chamber

how does it work with factory ammo?

if it works fine then your reloading is not up to snuff

[Gryff]

It is prolly your ammo. Most 9mm dies do not return the case to original factory specs. This is compounded if you use a progressive press as these do not allow the die to size all the way down the case. Lee makes a "U" sizer die with an undersized carbide insert that reduces the diameter of the case by another couple of thousands overy your RCBS/Redding/Dillon dies. It is a cheap and easy fix to chambering issues.

I use a single stage and shaved metal off the top of the shellholder. This allows my cases to do deeper in the sizer die. Being that 9mm sizer dies have carbide inserts with tapered internal profiles, the deeper the case slides into the die, the more it is sized.

+1

I was running commercial reloads in my original XD Tactical without any problems. Then, when I got a new XD, I started having these same problems with both the new gun's factory barrel and after-market match barrel (although they happened more with the match barrel).

When I switched back to factory ammo, the problem went away. So I'm convinced it has to do with the tighter tolerances of the new and match barrels not liking the slight case shape imperfections in reloaded ammo.

You can have the chamber reamed out (Stretch64 at the SDPS club did this himself on his M&P), or you can look at a different sizing die. I've had people recommend the Lee mentioned by J-cat and also an EGW undersized die.

[XDRoX]

+1

I was running commercial reloads in my original XD Tactical without any problems. Then, when I got a new XD, I started having these same problems with both the new gun's factory barrel and after-market match barrel (although they happened more with the match barrel).

When I switched back to factory ammo, the problem went away. So I'm convinced it has to do with the tighter tolerances of the new and match barrels not liking the slight case shape imperfections in reloaded ammo.

You can have the chamber reamed out (Stretch64 at the SDPS club did this himself on his M&P), or you can look at a different sizing die. I've had people recommend the Lee mentioned by J-cat and also an EGW undersized die.

I'm curious to see what die he is using as well. The standard Lee carbide dies are usually pretty good, but maybe he has a bad one.
I also have heard that the chambers in newer XD's are more supported than the older ones, and it sounds like you have first hand experience of this.

[Mstrty]

Thanks for all the advice.

Ok here is more info that was asked.

Im loading on a Dillon 550b. using a dillon chamber checker. Dies and chamber checker were purchased new in 2009. The sizing die is set as low as it will go, to the point of binding the shell plate with the base plate, at the moment the stroke cams over. 10% of my reloads will not fall friction-less out of the dillon chamber checker. Of that 10%, 4% will not seat in the XD barrel. Im using MG 124gn JHP loaded to 1.115" (4gn tightgroup 130PF)

Most of my brass is Winchester/Federal. (old factory ammo I have been reloading) I have around 3-4k rounds of brass. As I shoot IDPA I do end up with mixed brass. I am reliant on others policing my brass after I shoot. Not much I can do about that. I dont reload out of turn. All my brass gets used, tumbled, reloaded, as a group. I dont keep reloading the top of the brass bucket (if you know what I mean). I know I have ended up with brass I dont know the history.

Using only my brass and not found brass has its advantage but is difficult to police. I would rather make my brass fit my barrel, or find a barrel that fits my brass.

My wife will be running this gun this weekend. I will report back if the 300 rounds she have triple checked with the barrel function as planned. I loaded 500 about 450 passed the dillon chamber checker with flying colors, only 300 or so passed the barrel with flying colors. 99.5 would probably fire without problem.

Im a dead man if she has to grab the slide with her support hand over the top and slam the grip with her strong hand one more time on the clock to unlock the gun.

Question:
Is rechambering/polishing my barrel a correct solution?
Would an aftermarket barrel have an advantage over my current barrel woes?

I will find a solution at any cost (if you know what I mean).

[J-cat]

The problem with progressives is the shell plate is nthicker than a shell holder. On top of that it flexes away from the die. This means the die does not size the case all the way down.

Get an undersized die.

[Munk]

From the sound of it, and from experience with a a friend who has 2 diff barrels for the same gun.. it's close to the glock bulge issue from earlier. Stock glock barrels (and others that "never fail to feed") usually have a slightly larger than necessary chamber, in order to allow damn near anything to feed and fit. This results in the brass being blown out slightly further. So much so that there's no way you'd fit it into the chamber of a match barrel pre-sizing. And if you go the other way, match -> stock, then the spent case has room to rattle.

Combine this with a little bit of unsupported chamber, and you have ALOT of brass movement.

A full-length push through sizing would likely take care of it... but is a pain to do for your progressive. With more brass movement, you have cases getting longer... and as a user above mentioned, over-long cases will cause issues.

I'm not gonna bother with the poor bullet alignment, since you reload so much, i doubt you're seating poorly (although stuff happens).

I'm basing my theory on the fact that you're snaggin brass from other competitors, some of which will be using a stock "reliable" barrel. If you were only using your own fire-formed brass, you'd be looking at other issues (seating,O.A.L., etc).

[railroader]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=557190 Here's the Lee factory crimp die. They are only $15 and they really work. Read the reviews at midway. Mark

[buffybuster]

GLOCK BULGE.

Google it.

Unsupported chamber = bulge at the feed ramp.

Cure = new barrel or not using glock-fired brass. Full length case sizing might do it, if you've got a push through die.

This is probably a good guess, without inspecting it.

If the brass is mixed pickups, there's no doubt some have been fired in a loose chamber (Glock, etc). The XD has a fully supported chamber and that slight casehead bulge is causing the failure to go into battery.

You can make sure your sizing die is screw ~1/2 turn beyond touching the die and/or if your press allows it, you can resize and prime in the same stroke (decap prior obviously), that will maximize the amount of case that is resized.

Regarding chambers, very highly unlikely the chamber is wrong. But chamber specs for 9x19 is very broad. Some run looser (Glock, Beretta) and others tighter.

[PatriotnMore]

It is prolly your ammo. Most 9mm dies do not return the case to original factory specs. This is compounded if you use a progressive press as these do not allow the die to size all the way down the case. Lee makes a "U" sizer die with an undersized carbide insert that reduces the diameter of the case by another couple of thousands overy your RCBS/Redding/Dillon dies. It is a cheap and easy fix to chambering issues.

I use a single stage and shaved metal off the top of the shellholder. This allows my cases to do deeper in the sizer die. Being that 9mm sizer dies have carbide inserts with tapered internal profiles, the deeper the case slides into the die, the more it is sized.

Spot on and great advice.

[Dubious_Beans]

Im using MG 124gn JHP loaded to 1.115"

You're running JHP's at 1.115" ? That seems way too long...

The Hornady manual lists 124g JHP @ 1.060" COAL
Lyman says 1.075"
Sierra says 1.075"

I use Hornady XTP 124g JHP's @ 1.075", and Remington 115g JHP also @ 1.075"
1.110" would be WAY to long for either of those bullets.

Added:
Just went out to the shop and and loaded a Hornady 124g JHP to a COAL of 1.110" It is TOO long to chamber correctly in my XD9 (service).

My XD's (service & subc) will both eat ANY kind of factory ammo I've tried, and so far digest ANY reloads I've fed them as long as the COAL isn't too long. I use RCBS dies.

Before you invest in different sizing dies, and definitely before you start messing with the barrel on your XD, I think you should try a shorter COAL with your JHP's.

[eaglemike]

The problem with progressives is the shell plate is nthicker than a shell holder. On top of that it flexes away from the die. This means the die does not size the case all the way down.

Get an undersized die.

Part of this is incorrect. The bottom of the case is supported by the base plate. During the sizing process The base plate, the parts below the shell plate, is what pushes the casing into the sizing die. On the 550 one can usually see a witness mark on the base plate in this where the case sits during the sizing operation.

A shell plate that is too thick or has crud built up underneath can act as a stop and keep the casing from going into the sizing die as far as it could otherwise.

OP: You will get a different OAL when loading a single case all the way through vs using all stations. The increase in pressure when you work all stations causes the frame to flex a bit. Just to be sure things are correct, try sliding a feeler gauge under the sizing die when all stations are full and the ram is at the top of the stroke.

The OAL length you are using does sound a little long for JHP. A JHP is the same profile as a flat nosed projectile, usually loaded in 9mm to about 1.10, some people even go as short as 1.085, or even more as noted above. See how they feed. You might try loading a few just a bit shorter and see if they chamber better. Remember that pressures go up quickly when one uses the same powder charge and seats the bullet deeper in 9mm and .40S&W.

If you were close we could check the headspace with a gauge. I also have a 9mm chamber reamer, but I don't loan these out. You can buy this stuff from Brownell's.
all the best,
Mike

[bjl333]

You're running JHP's at 1.115" ? That seems way too long...

The Hornady manual lists 124g JHP @ 1.060" COAL
Lyman says 1.075"
Sierra says 1.075"

I use Hornady XTP 124g JHP's @ 1.075", and Remington 115g JHP also @ 1.075"
1.110" would be WAY to long for either of those bullets.

Added:
Just went out to the shop and and loaded a Hornady 124g JHP to a COAL of 1.110" It is TOO long to chamber correctly in my XD9 (service).

My XD's (service & subc) will both eat ANY kind of factory ammo I've tried, and so far digest ANY reloads I've fed them as long as the COAL isn't too long. I use RCBS dies.

Before you invest in different sizing dies, and definitely before you start messing with the barrel on your XD, I think you should try a shorter COAL with your JHP's.

^^^ This is good info !! Also check you don't have a monster crimp on the shell, that could fatten up your bullet.

[Gryff]

Question:
Is rechambering/polishing my barrel a correct solution?
Would an aftermarket barrel have an advantage over my current barrel woes?

I would try the undersized die first. Then try reaming the chamber. I doubt an after-market barrel will solve the problem, unless you find reports of one that specifically does.

[J-cat]

Aftermarket barrels are often chambered on the minimum side of SAAMI to milk the last bit of accuracy out of them. Your problem may compound itself.

[Mstrty]

Ok looks like I need an under sized die or a pushthrough press. Tell me I need to upgrade to a 650 to run the additonal die. I've read mixed reviews about the FCD some either love it or complain its just masking the real problem. What are the recomondations for a quality die. I'm a buy once cry once kind of guy. I hate buying cheap, only to later buy one better. So tell me where to donate my next check.