Coated Bullets

[vdubber]

Just got back to reloading some coated .356 9mm BBI bullets. After seating a couple test rounds, I notoced quite a bulge. They wont chamber in my barrel. I started measuring a bunch with claipers. They are ranging from .3565 to .357. Are these even safe to use?

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[Cowboy T]

Your chamber is on the tight side. I'd run these rounds through a Lee Factory Crimp Die, which should make 'em chamber just fine. I've done this before with .38 Special rounds that were a little too "portly" to chamber, and this did the trick beautifully.

[vdubber]

The bullet manufacturer specifies NOT to use that die. I'm using a somewhat similar die, RCBS seating/taper crimp. Fine line between removing the flare and cutting the coating.

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[Cowboy T]

Oh, I should've clarified; sorry about that. Adjust the LFCD so that it doesn't actually crimp. What you're looking to do is simply size the round down a thousandth or two, not actually crimp the case mouth at all.

[vdubber]

Awesome, thanks. I'll order one up. You think going max OAL will help?

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[Cowboy T]

Actually, it might. You're thinking about the case thickness tapering down as you seat the bullet out a little further, right?

[vdubber]

Yes, figured that might let it go in the chamber easier.

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[NeilMo]

The problem you'll run into if you use a FCD is it'll swage your bullet and make it loose in the case. A FCD is normally used only with a .355" diameter bullet and most of the time the sizing ring won't even touch the case unless there is a high spot or some other flaw. You'd be better off buying a .356" sizing die to size the bullets before you load them.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018523537?pid=982621

[vdubber]

I can't size these. They are coated. That will remove the coating.

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[Sandspider500]

No it won't. If it does the coating is no good.

[vdubber]

I will give it a try and make these work.
I think I'll be buying different bullets next time.

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[Cowboy T]

The problem you'll run into if you use a FCD is it'll swage your bullet and make it loose in the case. A FCD is normally used only with a .355" diameter bullet and most of the time the sizing ring won't even touch the case unless there is a high spot or some other flaw. You'd be better off buying a .356" sizing die to size the bullets before you load them.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018523537?pid=982621

I used to think the same thing about the FCD. However, it hasn't been a problem in actual practice when I've done it to .38 Special rounds. So far, so good. That's exactly what the sizing ring is for, a high spot, which I think is what the OP is running into as well.

OP, if you can, also try the suggestion, on one bullet, regarding the bullet sizing die before loading.

[pennstater]

Hmmm. I've not had the issue that NeilMo describes, but, I certainly won't argue with what he has seen. I use a Lee FCD on .38/.357, .45acp, .45 Colt and 30-30 Win. No loosening of bullets or loss of accuracy. I believe it's all in the adjustment, which is super easy. And the FCD will not scrape off any coating.
I think Cowboy T's info is inline with what I've seen.

MLC

[vdubber]

I'm going to try it(Lee fcd). It'll be here tomorrow.

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[NeilMo]

For those of you who haven't any swaging issues using the Lee FCD with lead, or coated bullets (typically .001"-.002" over jackted), consider yourselves lucky. Lee dies are not all consistent and you probably got one on the loose side of Lee's tolerance, or possibly one that was out of their spec.

I have Lee FCD's in 9 calibers and only three fell into that "oversized" category and wouldn't swage down my coated bullets. All the others were within spec and couldn't be used with anything but a jacketed bullet of standard size, i.e. .355", .400", .429", .451" and so on. All those I had to polish open with a diamond lapping compound and now they'll all work fine with oversized bullets.