Strange Problem Reloading 45 ACP - Dillon 550B

[JackRydden224]

I loaded some 45 ACP rounds that will not fit the gauge but all measurements seems to check out. I did not touch the dies since the first 100 I loaded but the current batch just does not fit. after I size the case it will fit in the gauge but after I seat the bullet and crimp it then it does not fit.

Here are some pictures as well as the measurement of a specific round



Here is what it looks like in the gauge when I just drop it in.



Here is what is looks like when I push it down. It will not go down any further.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

What kind of dies are you using that resize but don't decap?

[sammy]

There is something in your case gauge. In the picture you can see space between the gauge and round. Clean it and try again.

[JackRydden224]

What kind of dies are you using that resize but don't decap?

I use the Dillon Carbide dies. They resize as well as decap

There is something in your case gauge. In the picture you can see space between the gauge and round. Clean it and try again.

There is nothing in my case gauge. I found a round I loaded from last year and it drops in just fine.

[TKM]

If that round is resized why isn't it decapped?

[JackRydden224]

If that round is resized why isn't it decapped?

Instead of using a new primer I just used the spent primer for the sake of testing out the round's dimensions. I actually loaded nearly 300 rounds before discovering I have an issue. Yes I know I should have done it differently but it's too late for that now

[chknlyps2]

Different projectiles than last time?

Are you sure you taper crimped enough to take the flare out of the case mouth?

Pics of a finished round that won't drop in the case gauge might help.

[mchava]

Have you measured the projectile size? They might be the wrong size. If nothing has changed then they should be fine. If it works when you size but not when you seat a bullet then it seems like the bullet has changed the size of the case.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

Instead of using a new primer I just used the spent primer for the sake of testing out the round's dimensions. I actually loaded nearly 300 rounds before discovering I have an issue. Yes I know I should have done it differently but it's too late for that now

I never would have thought to seat a spent primer, but ok, that answers that question. Personally, I wouldn't have done that; it's not necessary unless you put powder in the case as well.

Here's another question. I realize these don't fit you gauge, but do they fit in your chamber? That's the important part. The gauge is useful if you have a number of weapons for the same cartridge and you want to ensure that your reloads will fit in all of them.

Another thing to consider; brass thickness varies by manufacturer, even from lot to lot for the same manufacturer. Do the ones that aren't fitting your gauge have the same headstamp?

[JackRydden224]

I never would have thought to seat a spent primer, but ok, that answers that question. Personally, I wouldn't have done that; it's not necessary unless you put powder in the case as well.

Here's another question. I realize these don't fit you gauge, but do they fit in your chamber? That's the important part. The gauge is useful if you have a number of weapons for the same cartridge and you want to ensure that your reloads will fit in all of them.

Another thing to consider; brass thickness varies by manufacturer, even from lot to lot for the same manufacturer. Do the ones that aren't fitting your gauge have the same headstamp?

They don't fit in the chamber either. I thought it might be the gauge so I stripped my P220 to test it out only to find the same results. I have varies brass manufacturers and none of them fit. Some of them are even the same brass as the ones I reloaded just last week which I had tumbled.

I'm going to Reload OC with my press to see if Brian can help me. He said customers would just go there and mount up their press so he can help them figure out what's going on.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

Do the bullets mic out at .452?

[JackRydden224]

The bullets are fine. Brian at Reload OC looked at it and tightened everything. It turns out that it wasn't one particular point but most of my dies were lose so some weren't doing what they are supposed to be doing. Brian at Reload OC deserves a lot of credit if you are in the OC Area looking for help with reloading he is the man.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

Glad it got figured out.

[JackRydden224]

Glad it got figured out.

Yes thank you for your efforts. I bought the press used so I did not assemble it. I'm still trying to figure out the small adjustments 3 years later....

[bruce381]

3 years later? you got to load more