Reloading Problems

[Malthusian]

I got my Dillon 650 last Monday

Here are my learning blimps:

The press appeared to be cycling fine, but was actually hanging on the bullet ramp. Took me quite a while to figure out the problem, as the ramp is on the back side.

Do not place the powder lid under the press, it stops the ram from returning and the primers do not seat

I decided to vacuum the turret. REMOVE the station pins first. Had to dig through the vacuum cleaner bag for my station pins

An allen screw fell on the table and I immediately stopped until I was able to determine where it came from. It was one of the pivot screws on the powder dispenser

I stop with the bullet "up" in the press. I feel more comfortable continuing from the up position. If I accidentally stop in the down position, I measure the powder and toss the case aside for loading later without the decapper

As soon as things go crazy. Stop

Pull any cases in doubt and restart from zero if necessary

I am loading .45, which is very forgiving. I weighed the cases a few days ago
The fluctuation of the cases was around 4-5 grains. 4.2 is my powder charge
It would not be possible to determine if I had a squib by weight

Also I would make small batches and transfer them from time to time. I had an issue and a big pile of ammo. I pulled every single one.....

[LexLuther]

I started with a 650 and it can be done if you are detail oriented.
OP - you are in a free state, why are you looking for help in California...You should have no trouble finding another 650 user to come and take a look at your setup.

[LexLuther]

Maybe raymond can help you - Watch his videos free

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=313431

[SixPointEight]

Wowzers. Reminds me to go double check the neck tension on my rounds. That's the most likely cause. As others have said, recheck that sizing die, somethings wrong. If not that, check your bullets.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Here's a message I posted to another user who saw this thread and asked me about it.

In Christ: Raymond


From what I gather (or can deduce), I believe they are not setting the full length sizing die correctly. The boolit should NEVER be able to fall completely through the case neck opening...even if pushed very hard with your thumb/fingers.

Another thing to consider is the cases. If they are using MIXED HEADSTAMPED BRASS, then each manufacturers brass casing will have different internal dimensions. So if one case reads "perfect charge height" on the powder check...then that same load on a different manufacturers case may read "overloaded or underloaded" on the powder check.

Another thing to consider is the case itself. If they are using range brass, then they should manually check the brass cases, somehow, during the brass preperation process. A cracked or bulged case should be caught before being reloaded...if possible.

And one final thought. The case may have been too long, and may have needed to be trimmed to size. The danger of a "too long case" is headspace problems and over pressure.

A case that is too long will go too far forward when the boolit is chambered. When this happens, the case will be forced to "crimp onto the boolit," hence creating mucho increased pressure.

Once again, without being there and checking it myself, I would say they are not setting the die for the FULL LENGTH RESIZER correctly.

Just my initial thoughts.

[spencerhut]

I just remembered / realized one of the shooters at the 3-Gun match I was at on Sunday had at least three rounds with bullets pushed all the way into the cases, I know because I found them while brassing. All three were full of unburnt powder and had no primer strike. I was not watching this person shoot, so I'm not sure what happened or what sort of problems he was having.

Sort of weird to run across this twice in a couple of days.

[OB_WAN]

First of all - I'm new to rifle case reloading so don't quote me.

I have a set of redding rifle dies. The resizer die has two neck expander inserts. One for, I believe, lead bullets, and the other for fmj. If you're running the sizing die with the larger expander ball, perhaps that's your prob?

When I run the the FMJ expander ball on my cases, I can not set the bullet in the neck, I have to balance it on top and run it up through the press to seat. This provides friction along the entire contact surface of the neck and should ensure that the bullet is not forced back in to the case during loading.

Just a thought.

[killshot44]

The posters who mentioned neck tension are likely spot-on. A crimp is NO substitute for proper neck tension.
Without it, the case and neck won't obturate to the chamber dimension - pressure can go toward to the breach rather than the muzzle.

Can't speak for Dillon dies but..........I full-length size with Redding S Match Bushing dies and never use the expander ball. If you do you're sizing down on the upstroke and expanding it again on the way back down.

You and your friend are very lucky there were no injuries.

[gorblimey]

Yikes. Glad no one was hurt. This post reaffirms my choice to start out with single stage equipment.

Totally. Considering the relatively insignificant expense of a single stage, compared to even the rest of the equipment not to mention components, not getting one to start on is bad juju.

[gorblimey]

Sounds like either:

1) Sizing die is not adjusted down far enough. Very far off so that the neck isn't getting any sizing.

or

2) Someone is using a Redding die without a neck sizing bushing.

Either of those will cause there to be no neck tension on the bullet, thus causing catastrophic bullet setback during chambering. Starting on a progressive isn't advisable IMHO.

Master each step before you try to do every step simultaneously. I'm on year 2 of my reloading odyssey and I'm just now hitting my stride loading pistol ammo progressively. Rifle ammo on a progressive is even more complex yet.

Oh snap, I think 2) is a very plausible hypothesis.

Bushings:

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/1861

Selecting them:

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-350357.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXyhVwjWHY4

I suspect OP will want a smaller bushing for a semi than what the video suggests, and indeed using it without the large expander ball would probably be the way to go.

[Sunwolf]

Read this:

http://www.fulton-armory.com/

be aware at all times of case length.

[Sunwolf]

Starting out on a single stage is very important,most guys I know get frustrated with a progressive when starting out because they don`t truly understand every single step of the process.

[not-fishing]

To many things going on at once with a progressive

Starting out on a single stage is very important,most guys I know get frustrated with a progressive when starting out because they don`t truly understand every single step of the process.

With things that I can really get hurt with I keep it simple.

Single state press, do one thing at a time, no hurry, no distractions. I reload everything from .380 acp to 300 wby.

And I still have my list of screwups.

One revolver to the gunsmith because I did not check and lower the charge of a 38 cal 148 grain HBWC verses a 15e grain fp the charge split the brass that got lodged between the cylinder and barrel

I keep a squib tool and use it (less on my pistols now and more on other shooters now)

Still I'm always a little nervous after tens of thousands of rounds.

I guess I'm just a coward when it comes to reloading.

[PoofNoEyebrows]

Is the that upper chambered for 5.56 x 45 or is it only .223 Rem. could have been the result of a simple over pressure due to casing difference and Nato rounds not going by SAAMI pressure specs.

[sonnyt650]

My sympathy regarding the kaboom. I'm fond of my crusty old CAR-style AR, and since it has been put together by my own two hands to a good extent it would be heartbreaking to see it blown apart.

A simple test seems appropriate here: you need a box of quality (not match, just better than discount barrel) ammo to contrast against your reloads. If your reloads fall short during the comparison you should question whether you want to shoot them.