Reloading question - where did I go wrong?

Hi all,

I'm trying to learn how to reload (starting with the .30 carbine - 7.5 Swiss will be next) and I've run into a problem. When I press in the bullet, the case is getting crushed. See the pic. Those were the only three I tried.

I tried flaring out the case a little more before pressing in the bullet on the third try. The bullet starts fine but as I continue to press it in the case bulges out off to one side.

Do I need to flare out the case even more? Have I over (or under) worked the deburr thing after trimming? I'm a bit frustrated because I've put in so much time to get the cases this far and I'm so close to the end - I was planning on testing the rounds at the range tomorrow.

Anyway, if there are any other pics needed to help debug this, let me know. Thanks for taking the time to teach me.

Orangebug

This may belong in the ammo/reload section, but I will answer anyway...

Orange, it looks like you have the seating die too tight (set too shallow) and it is closing the case mouth before the bullet is properly set. I am assuming you are using a three-die set. I also assume you are using a single stage press. The last die, the seating/crimp die performs two functions at the same upstruck movement.

The first is to push the bullet into the case to the proper depth. You vary this my the screw mechanism on the top of the die. When you are finished, the cartridge overall length for the 110 FMJ is 1.680" (Speer Vol 13).... back to setting this up in a minute.

The second function that occurs as in the same upstroke is that the die will "crimp" the case to the proper width at the case month. In other words, it closes the bell you put into the month in the previous die. You vary this my the postion/depth on the die is screwed into the yoke of the press.

Ok, how to get it set up the first time. Since you are new to reloading, I STRONGLY recommend that you do what is listed in your reloading book (you do have one, right?) and the instructions in your die set. But this is what I do (disclaimer here, I ain't no professional and I ain't telling YOU to do this).

The first time I use a die set, I start with the case holder installed in the press but the seating die NOT installed. I then take the seating die and loosen up the bullet seating portion as loose as it will go. Using a comercial cartridge of the SAME spec I will be reloading, I place the cartridge into the case holder in the press. Remember, the die is not been screwed into the press yet. With the ram all the way up, I then started slowing screwing in the seating die into the press. This will allow me to get a CLOSE proximity of where the die should be screwed in. I know I have the proper position when the handle on the press starts to move up. I DO NOT APPLY PRESSURE or I will mess up the commercial round. I then lock the die in place.

Next step is to slowly screw down the bullet seating screw until it touches the top of the bullet. Again, I will see the handle on the press move up when it touches. I then take the commercial cartridge out. Now using an extra case and an extra bullet (no primer or powder), I mount a bullet on an empty case and seat it in the press. I take this assembled dummy round out and MEASURE it. I make changes I need and do it again. I repeat this until I get two consecutive dummy rounds that measure to the proper specs.

Now, I have explained this to you, I STRONGLY recommend that you find someone in your area who has been reloading for years and get them to teach you. Guns as a hobby is safe - reloading as a hobby can be VERY dangerous. And you can get yourself (and others) into trouble without knowing it very quickly.

Never, never, NEVER reload until you have been properly taught. Always, always, ALWAYS use the safest method, make trial runs and measure (and remeasure) everything you do. I have been reloading for almost 30 years and I still measure, check and inspect EVERYTHING - twice. (I also still batch load and refuse to use a progerssive press - but thats another argument for later)

Unless I am listed on your insurance policy, I frankly don't care if you blow you or your gun up. But I do not want to be standing on the range next to you when you do it - I hate getting blood splatters out of my clothes.

You stated you are trying to learn reloading. Could too much powder be the cause? Can you show us the case without the bullet? I have been reloading the .30 carbine for decades and never seen that.

You will see similar if the bullet and case are not aligned so the bullet seats crookedly. You don't specify your equipment but if you are using a turret press, you might want to check your press ram/die alignment. On my SparT it is adjustable.

HTH

The problem came from me setting up the seating die per the instructions that came with my Lee hand press kit rather than the die set (RCBS). Thank you Tired for helping me understand the dual function on the seating die - the adjustments were easier to understand. I was able to seat the bullets to the correct depth and give it a taper crimp.

Yes I have a couple of reloading books, the Hornady handbook (7th ed.) and the Sierra book (5th ed.). Are there any others anyone would recommend?

Thanks again for your time,

Orangebug

Lyman

Dillon.......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ArizonaBeagle

Dillon.......

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Veeery Good with RCBS Titanium Nitrited Dies

Regards

Gunner

The last time I took mine to the range (Memorial Day) I had 4 fail to fire and two of them failed on the second attempt. I was thinking bad primers? Winchester Small rifle. Never failed before but it could be a bad batch. It happens. I took it with me to the local gunshow today where I was fairly certain that a gentle man (retired state trooper) of my aquaintence would be in attendence. He checked my little carbine over and said it was the ammo and a possible cause was the case was too long. I didn't trim the last time. He says that the carbine is a finicky little cuss and likes it pills a certain way and if it don't get them just so it don't like to work. My best quess on your problem is the mouth isn't flaired just enough or your seating die isn't set just right.

that was a funny comment! I've had more than 40 carbines over the years and not one of them was finicky. The only problems that I've ever had with carbines is that some don't like hollow points and a very few don't like cast bullets. You do need to clean them and periodically give the bolt a thorough cleaning, but that is normal maintenance. If the case was too long, the mark from the firing pin would be a very small mrk, not the normal deep round crater. That would be your indication of an out of battery bolt. If the bolt closed properly the firing pin mak is distinct.