Couple Problems reloading 9mm

[eaglemike]

Another trick I learned that can help prevent squibs, when you are loading the same load frequently and don't want to empty the press: leave the press in the operating position. With the 550, leave the handle down, ram raised. On my Star machines, I remove the spring, and lower the toolhead with the handle in the down position.

If you are getting the dreaded 3-point jam, try lengthening the OAL by .010.

Clays is a quick powder. Some 9mm guns will work better with a slower powder, especially if they are not yet broken in.

all the best,

Mike

[CSACANNONEER]

You should get a short piece of brass rod to clear squibs with. Just carrying the rod is a great reminder that they can happen as well as being an easy tool to clear them. One way I have found to keep nme from advancing twice is to never stop in the middle of loading a round. What I'm trying to say is that I won't stop until the press doesn't have any partially loaded shells in it.

[dwtt]

My OAL is .125 powder is Clays with 3.3 gr. I will post pictures tomorrow, I need to get to bed soon, I have a final tomorrow morning.

You must be right. I probably walked away and then advanced the round without charging it. I going to hope that is what happened.

I tried Clays once and didn't like how it failed to cycle my Hi-Power. The powder is designed for burning in a long shotgun barrel where there's more time for pressure to build up. I switched to Winchester 231 and it was a world of difference. Try 231, you will be pleased.
I use a single stage press so it's quite obvious if a case doesn't have any powder in it. Maybe you might want to get a used single stage press off ebay for $40 and get the reloading process and load down for your gun before making large quantities with a progressive press. Just my opinion.

[rue]

I like Bullseye myself for powder.

[thebloodsonthewall]

Is there a way to get smaller quantities of powder to test them out? I don't want to have to buy a pound of every kind of powder that I want to test out.

The OAL that I am using was right off of the reloading data that I got from Hodgdon.

[ar15barrels]

Is there a way to get smaller quantities of powder to test them out? I don't want to have to buy a pound of every kind of powder that I want to test out.

The OAL that I am using was right off of the reloading data that I got from Hodgdon.

I think that Alliant sells 4 ounce sample sizes of some of their powders.
They cost about half the price of a full pound.

Best way to get samples is to get them from other reloaders who already have them.

35mm film containers make great little powder holders if you only need half an ounce or so to try a couple dozen handgun rounds.
Otherwise, medicine bottles work for rifle quantities of powder.
At least that's how I have done it.

[rue]

Not that I know of. Bullseye is fast and works great. I reload .45, .38, .357, .40 with it and haven't had a problem. I get the 1 lb. jugs. Another thing you can do is pull the barrel from your XD and then place each round into it to check it before you go to the range. Retry any that don't seat all the way in. I found my taper crimp or just cases that didn't resize well don't pass that test. Sometimes readjusting the crimp fixes it or I redo it and if I still have a problem the case gets tossed into the brass recycle pile.

[dw1784]

Not that I know of. Bullseye is fast and works great. I reload .45, .38, .357, .40 with it and haven't had a problem. I get the 1 lb. jugs. Another thing you can do is pull the barrel from your XD and then place each round into it to check it before you go to the range. Retry any that don't seat all the way in. I found my taper crimp or just cases that didn't resize well don't pass that test. Sometimes readjusting the crimp fixes it or I redo it and if I still have a problem the case gets tossed into the brass recycle pile.

+1. Adjust seating die/taper crimp.
I had prob with FTF/FTE in a G19. I found I had to use a heavier crimp with the bullet/powder I was using.

You can use the "drop in" test as suggested by Rue. According to the Speer's manual, take out the barrel, tilt it upwards, insert a factory round. With finger pressure see/feels how it goes. Then take your load, insert and compare. If need to, adjust your taper crimp a bit at a time till it no longer feel "sticky". 9mm headspace on the case mouth and too much crimp is not good either.

another solution is to play with OAL. Max OAL is 1.169. Try a longer bullet like a 124/125. Good luck and be safe

[ar15barrels]

Another thing you can do is pull the barrel from your XD and then place each round into it to check it before you go to the range. Retry any that don't seat all the way in.

You can use the "drop in" test as suggested by Rue. According to the Speer's manual, take out the barrel, tilt it upwards, insert a factory round. With finger pressure see/feels how it goes. Then take your load, insert and compare.

Did you guys read post #9?
The round should drop freely into the chamber and the case should seat against the shoulder in the chamber.
This will make a "thunk" sound like you hear in the movies when a guy loads a grenade into an M79 or M203 grenade launcher.

[bohoki]

Run your press dry before walking away.
Load the last 4 rounds without adding cases into station 1.
That way, there is no question as to the state of each case sitting on the shellplate.

if i walk away for a moment i make sure the handle is down if i come back and the handle is up i was invaded by a jerk

i also make sure and visually see powder before placing a bullet