New to reloading. What am I doing wrong?

[SixPointEight]

I'd like to point out that this Johnny did not fail math. But your point is taken.

People learn things in different ways, and a one size fits all approach is usually not going to work for everyone. Even for me personally, I have found I need different methods to retain information effectively. Some things I can read and understand perfectly immediately, other things I'll need to have demonstrated before I understand. And then there are other things that I have to do myself before I get it.

I've been on enough Internet forums to know that when a new person asks a question, there will always be people who have a canned response ("use the search function before you ask the question" being the most common), but there is value to that. And even if there wasn't, other people will respond with more specific information. Which is exactly what happened here.

Reading the manual again will surely be useful, but I can already tell that reloading is going to be a trial and error thing for me. No matter how much I read up on it, I'll have to do it before the knowledge solidifies. Maybe the answer to this specific issue will be in there, and maybe not, but I'm not going to limit myself to only what I get from the manuals. I'll be soliciting advice and help from wherever I can, because it would be silly not to. I'm not embarrassed about needing help, nor about asking for it. And I'm grateful to anyone who offers that help, in whatever form. Even if it is just a recommendation to read some manuals.

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[emoji106] that I can agree with

[AlienHobo]

Are you sure the brass is 9x19 and not 9x18?

[JohnnyShakes]

Are you sure the brass is 9x19 and not 9x18?

They are stamped 9mm Luger.

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[AlienHobo]

Just checking as the 9x18 is a touch wider and would do that if run through a 9mm die.

In that case, I'll agree with most of the folks here and say that the seating die was cranked down too far, or maybe you mixed up the seating die with the factory crimp die.

As to the OAL, I think you may want to seat those projectiles a bit lower because they are flat tipped. For my 9mm anyway (CZ 75 Compact), a flat tipped sticking that far out would fail the plunk test.

It will take a few tries, but you will get it dialed in.

[stilly]

Thanks to everyone for all of the responses. I appreciate everyone who took the time to offer some wisdom. I'll be sure to go through my Lyman's 49th manual again, as well as reading through the instructions that came with my dies. I was warned that I was going to screw up a lot before I got something right. It's good to know I'm on schedule.

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Nah man, you might make a small adjustment mistake here and there, maybe a charge mistake or two, but you will figure it out in the end and you have the smarts to come here after you have read a book and ask a question WITH a photo.

You are all good man, just new. Keep on going...

[Che762x39]

... I believe I've followed all of the proper steps, but the results seem to indicate I've done something wrong. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

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I like the RCBS Manual. It covers all the topics very well. I started reloading 9mm in 1982 and its the easiest caliber. So get better acquainted with the process because revolver calibers are really a PITA compared to 9mm.

Have fun and be safe. Its a great hobby.

[JohnnyShakes]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply. I appreciate all of the advice. Turns out I had the seating die screwed in too far, as was mentioned several times. Checked the instructions again, as was also mentioned several times, made the adjustments, and the problem was resolved.



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[stand125]

Great job, now pull the bullet and you should see a very faint crimp line around the bullet. Lots of people over crimp 9mm and 45.

[SixPointEight]

If I'm honest, it looks like that is still over crimped. See how bright the ring is right at the crimp? Could be a lighting artifact, but take a diameter measurement of the crimp and report it back to us

[stilly]

Yeah I dunno. I have made over crimped 9mm and it looked like there was a belt tied around the bullet AND the case mouth.

If THAT last round is over crimped, I would guess by a HAIR maybe, but I would shoot it still and it will prolly be fine.

[Divernhunter]

OP---See good things happen to people who read and think.
Glad to see you got things sorted out.
Enjoy the reloading hobby

[EAT]

Late to the show. I learned a lot making silly mistakes. Reading the instructions,several times over, still refer to them just to be sure. YouTube is a great resource too. What kind of dies are you using. I find the Lee 4 die sets to be my favorites. Having a separate die for the crimp takes the emphasis of seat/crimp out of the equation. 9mm doesn't need a hard crimp anyway. Unless you are loading super hot stuff. Also, the projectiles could be too big around. 9x19 Luger uses one size 9mm bullet while 9x18 Makarov uses a slightly fatter one, still called 9mm. Hope this helps. Have fun with it. Follow safety proticals its a great hobby.