Inconsistent COL loading 9mm on Load Master

[PTLaro]

I recently started reloading on a new Load Master loading 9mm. . I have reloaded 500 rounds trying for 1.155" COL.

Most are between 1.150"-1.164" Some go up to 1.170"

I thought I should be getting only about .003" max variations.

I am using mixed brass head stamps and have sorted them but it still seems to vary.

Everything else on press is working just fine.

Any thoughts and are you getting the same variation or different?

Thank in advance.

[TKM]

Find the one thing that isn't the same every time. Bad press, brass or bullets.

[Darthyogurt]

It could be a configuration issue. I notice when i do one round at a time everything is set as necessary. It's when i have all stations running at same time, the casing in the sizing die alerts the depth/height of seating and crimping stations. I configure mine as when all stations are running simultaneously

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk

[Dynamic]

Could it be different case lenght causing that ? Try and measure a case before being loaded and see what the difference is in COL

[Par5In2]

Sort brass... and case lube.

[PTLaro]

Thanks for suggestions. I was thinking the same thing about using case lube.

I will update results.

[Unretarded]

I get .003 to .009 on a single stage, since the ogive to tip on projectiles varies and the seating die seats from the ogive.

If you measure COAL with calipers you are measuring to the tip, unless you use a ogive comparator......with a ogive comparator on the calipers I bet you would only see the .003 variance.....

[rm1911]

Could it be different case lenght causing that ? Try and measure a case before being loaded and see what the difference is in COL

Case length shouldn't have anything to do with COL. The distance from the base of the shell holder to the top of the seating die stem should be the same. Every time. That's the length. It has nothing to do with case length. True, 9mm like 45 headspace on the mouth and case length differences can cause problems in some barrels. But a full stroke of the press should bring the shell plate to the same height, and same depth under the seating stem. Technically, every single round should be the exact same height.

[5akman]

I had a similar issue with 9mm on my LM press. I ended up buying the CNC milled turrret and lock plate for the press from Terry's Reloading Bench. It solved the majority of the COL issues but I still have a bit of wiggle in the case carrier/ram assembly that I need to address. You might look into this upgrade and see if it solves your issue.

[PTLaro]

So I bought Hornady One Shot and sorted cases. COL definitely improved. A couple weird ones but I can live with these numbers. The anomalies are probably me.

115 gr. Xtreme plated

Case

Blazer 1.156, 1.156, 1.156, 1.165 (?)

Federal 1.153, 1.160, 1.158, 1.157

124 gr Xtreme plated

Blazer 1.163, 1.161, 1.162, 1.161, 1.163, 1.164, 1.161, 1.162, 1.175 (?) 1.161, 1.156, 1.161, 1.157, 1.158, 1.157

Federal 1.160, 1.159, 1.160, 1.158, 1.161, 1.158, 1.158, 1.156, 1.156, 1.155

Par5in2 you were right on when I spoke to you today. Everything much smoother. Thanks

I also think attaching a comparator will improve readings as well.

The only mod I have on my press is the turret plate from Mike's Reloading bench. I might consider his custom turret, but for now lube and case sorting should do the job.

Thanks for all the comments.

[nahpungnome]

Case length shouldn't have anything to do with COL. The distance from the base of the shell holder to the top of the seating die stem should be the same. Every time. That's the length. It has nothing to do with case length. True, 9mm like 45 headspace on the mouth and case length differences can cause problems in some barrels. But a full stroke of the press should bring the shell plate to the same height, and same depth under the seating stem. Technically, every single round should be the exact same height.

Exactly what I was thinking...I have a lot of 45ACP cases with different head stamps and varying lengths, but the COL always ends up the same for me.

[stilly]

Brand new LM?

Things that affect the COAL are also making sure that you pull the big-win handle ALL the way down each and every time. Gather some speed and build momentum, but do not go too fast, keep it steady.

Also, I believe it helps to NOT crimp and seat on the same station. You have 5 stations, USE THEM.


As for Mike, he is a good guy- he has some nice things. I do not have the custom die plate that he sells that looks very nice, and I believe him hat it might be better than the mass produced ones, but I AM running that die plate lockdown plate on top because it made sense to keep things from moving a bit. You know what ELSE would keep things from moving a bit? Drilling and tapping that frame and die plate in about 2 more spots. But nobody seems to have thought of that yet. It is a great way to void your warranty too possibly.

But my stations are setup like this:
1. universal decap (Lee)
2. prime/resize (Lee- cause Dillon could not cut it)
3. LNL powder dropper (Hornady)
4. Bullet seat (Dillon- but I think I need to switch to Lee cause this die HATES 105gr SWC)
5. Bullet crimp (Dillon)

And there ya have it. My COAL varies only slightly at times, but mostly pretty good and within the proper spec.

So, Mr PTLaro if you are only using 4 of your stations, I strongly suggest you spread them out or at least STOP using a powder cop and separate your crimping from your seating, but I just went out on a medium length branch and took a stab in the dark with that last comment.

I recently switched out my Loadmaster for my LCT in order to make some 44 mag and .357/.38 spl. My .44 mag dies needed to be adjusted a tad but my .358 were all over the place. I do not know WHAT gnome was messing with things while it was in the bin, but it irked me to no end to a point where I just about took everything out and restarted from scratch. The BIGGEST problem I have is those damn lock rings. I like the lock rings that play well with OTHER brands of lock rings. I bought a pack of 6 of these NEW lock rings that tighten on the sides so they SQUEEZE the die rather than force a screw into the threads. I was thinking to myself, maybe I should switch to a single stage while I make some .44 mag or .357 to keep the coal variances down a bit. But I ended up getting that all under control later on. Just saying.

[someoneeasy]

From my experience, if my COAL is varying from when I'm running it one piece or brass at a time vs five at a time, one of my dies arent adjusted properly.

Like mentioned above, make sure the ram lowers all the way to its mechanical stop and adjust your dies accordingly.

[PTLaro]

Yes it is a new Load Master. I think I need more time on it, but the using case lube did make a difference.

Die Setup

Deprime & size
Universal Deprimer with de-priming pin removed
Powder
Bullet Seating
Factory Crimp

For Load Master users: I removed the spring from the priming pin and I have had no problems priming 300+ cases. The spring kept bending and jambing the primer pin.

The handle is a pain, literally. I am thinking of changing to an Inline Fabrication Handle. Any suggestions on a new handle.

[Par5In2]

So I bought Hornady One Shot and sorted cases. COL definitely improved. A couple weird ones but I can live with these numbers. The anomalies are probably me.

115 gr. Xtreme plated

Case

Blazer 1.156, 1.156, 1.156, 1.165 (?)

Federal 1.153, 1.160, 1.158, 1.157

124 gr Xtreme plated

Blazer 1.163, 1.161, 1.162, 1.161, 1.163, 1.164, 1.161, 1.162, 1.175 (?) 1.161, 1.156, 1.161, 1.157, 1.158, 1.157

Federal 1.160, 1.159, 1.160, 1.158, 1.161, 1.158, 1.158, 1.156, 1.156, 1.155

Par5in2 you were right on when I spoke to you today. Everything much smoother. Thanks

I also think attaching a comparator will improve readings as well.

The only mod I have on my press is the turret plate from Mike's Reloading bench. I might consider his custom turret, but for now lube and case sorting should do the job.

Thanks for all the comments.

Glad it worked out! 👌👌👌