I guess I'm now officially a reloder

[DoubleJ]

Depends on the caliber - it's more critical with low-volume, higher-pressure calibers (eg 9mmP, 40S&W) than the larger-volume, low-pressure ones (eg .45ACP).

I'd definitely feel uncomfortable shooting a 9mm or .40 which has the bullet pushed in 1/10th " deeper than normal (uncomfortable to the extent that I wouldn't shoot it, that is).

Tom: that's what I gathered from Andy C.
thanks ya'll.

another Q. I bought this Harrell Precision culver powder dispenser.
the thing hates Unique. can't get two consistent "throws" either on or off!
anybody have any powder suggestions?
for 9mm, if that's any consequence...

[fenster]

I had issues with OAL varying and found that REALLY tightening the lock ring on the seat die fixed the issue and I get less than 3/1000ths varience.

QA testing... I also started out checking practically every round (powder measure, OAL and crimp) but have settled into a routine of:

Start session by throwing 10 powder loads back into hopper.

Measure powder charge and throw back into hopper (I also found the Lee Autodisk powder measure to be boringly consistant using Win 231)

Measure OAL after seating and after crimp (I crimp using Lee FCD).

Test crimp (Press bullet against table top FIRMLY) and remeasure OAL.

Load 24 more rounds and repeat measure cycle.

cool! I'll get out my big crescent and get more torque on the bullet-seat locknut. I'm thinking I'll start reloading 40sw in the near future and I want to have that OAL variance tightened up.

that's a good tip about testing the crimp. I don't do that at present. I don't think I saw that in the 'ABC's' book, but maybe I just missed it.

[Tom]

another Q. I bought this Harrell Precision culver powder dispenser.
the thing hates Unique. can't get two consistent "throws" either on or off!
anybody have any powder suggestions?
for 9mm, if that's any consequence...

DoubleJ,

If your dispenser doesn't like large flake powders (Unique) try some ball types.
W231, AA#2, AA#5, and AA#7 should all be fine for 9mm. A smaller, rounder flake like
Universal Clays could work too. Check your loading manuals and you should find lots of
different loads to try.

I have the RCBS manual powder dispenser and it too has a bit of trouble with some flake types.
I recently got a jug of A#105 (a flake version of AA#5) and I have to use my Pact electronic to get
accurate dispensing with it. Not a big deal, just slower.

Be safe, mind the loading manuals, and have fun.

Kind Regards,

Tom

[DoubleJ]

you're a good man, Tom, I don't care what they say.

thanks fer the tips.

[fenster]

well, yesterday I took a trip to the range to try out the new handloads (different brand of bullet. was cast lead, now copper-plated cast lead).

trouble.. out of the 100 rds shot, I had 3 fail-to-feeds.

closely examining an old vs the new loads shows that the bullet shape is slightly different. even though the new bullet is 'round nose' like the old, it is slightly more conical and pointed than the old. a pic here is worth many words, but unfortunately I don't have one to show.

this subtle difference in bullet shape means that the case lip now protrudes more and is more apt to catch on the feed ramp.

I'm going to try a couple remedies: 1, increase the final crimp. 2, bump my OAL out. I'll probably make my new target OAL 1.25 (was 1.20). will remove the barrel and make sure my new round at this OAL drops freely into the chamber.

but... on the plus side, there's no puff of smoke on each shot. my barrel is pristine after the 100 rds. no more lead smear in the bore. no more gunk on my extractor and breech face. these new loads are some clean-shootin' ammo. just gotta make it feed right.

[Tom]

AndyC,

Deeper than what "normal"?
Deeper than min OAL? Yup, that would bother me too. I don't see where anyone suggested pushing a bullet 0.10 deeper than min OAL. In fact, we were discussing thousandths, not tenths.

I assume that you were thinking about a min OAL, right?
If not then please define what you mean by "normal".

Kind Regards,

Tom

Yes, thank you, Tom, I hadn't realised I was incapable of reading and comprehending English

"Normal" as in a baseline - as in whatever your ideal OAL is using that specific bullet. What I was saying is that for me, I won't shoot a load that is seated 1/10th of an inch deeper than that ideal - but I'll shoot anything that has an OAL between my "normal" and that. Over 30 years of reloading later, that's the maximum difference that I can live with and still shoot it.

You want to measure OAL in thousandths, knock yourself out with the bullet-puller if it's .001 out-of-spec

Wow, why all of the anger?

All of MY books give measurements in 0.001's; that is thousandths!
Both or my calipers measure in thousandths and if they are off by a
thousandth or two no big deal.
But luckily MY loading manuals indicate most OAL differences in 0.010,
or ten thousandths. So there is a bit of an allowance built in.

If, however, they were off by TENTHS of an inch that "might" be a problem.

If you are measuring using tenths of an inch then I can understand your concern about getting them
too close to your "normal".
Lets see, a tenth of an inch, just about the difference between a .357 Magnum case and a
.38 Special case. Yup, that is a bunch.

If you have been loading that long and shooting safely then you are doing something right.
Your original explanation, however, left out some important details, which is the reason I asked for
more info and which you have now provided.

So it is all cleared up. Lovely.

Now I am off to Midland for the CAF AirSho.

Kind Regards,

Tom

[DoubleJ]

All of MY books give measurements in 0.001's; that is thousandths!
Both or my calipers measure in thousandths and if they are off by a
thousandth or two no big deal.
But luckily MY loading manuals indicate most OAL differences in 0.010,
or ten thousandths. So there is a bit of an allowance built in.

Tom

not to be a stickler, but that's actually hundredths.

but both of ya'll's points are well made.

[Tom]

All of MY books give measurements in 0.001's; that is thousandths!
Both or my calipers measure in thousandths and if they are off by a
thousandth or two no big deal.
But luckily MY loading manuals indicate most OAL differences in 0.010,
or ten thousandths. So there is a bit of an allowance built in.

Tom

not to be a stickler, but that's actually hundredths.

but both of ya'll's points are well made.

Correct, but ...

0.1 = 1/10th or 10/100th or 100/1000th
0.01 = 0.1/10th or 1/100th or 10/1000th


Reloading manuals universally give measurements in thousandths when describing OAL, COL, and
other case dimensions.
That these dimensions can also be described in tenths or hundredths is an element of our mathematics system.

I find it much easier to use thousandths when discussing aspects of case dimension as it more closely
correlates to that found in the manuals. Others may choose a different approach.

Still trying to depart for Midland.

Kind Regards,

Col. Tom

[DoubleJ]

nicely done, sir.
I misread that as tenthousandths, or 1/10,000