Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Reloading .38s ang 9mm

[GHarman]

I'm going to have to disagree with a few of you... IF you are cleaning your brass AND using carbide dies you don't have to lube straight side cases. With the lube you are adding a nice dirt attractor unless you clean them again after you have a finished product. Just my opinion after having loaded thousands of 45 APC and 357 Mag cartridges.

Also, lead (wad cutters) is cheap if you're loading light. If you are using the hotter loads you WILL lead the barrel. This was on my . 357 and might not be a problem on a 9mm that doesn't get close to the 1400 FPS of the 357. A 9mm will get in the 1200 FPS pretty easy so watch your barrels to make sure they aren't leading up. They are a PITA to clean!

TJJEEPER,
Yep, Thats right, However, the carbide lasts a lot longer with a light coat of lube. Thats the way I've been doing it for years! The cartridges are wiped after loading as part of a final inspection. You dont have to lube them but I prefer it done that way! Your Choice!
GregH

 

[edgeman]

I just stopped at the big box store to look at the dies. They had Lee dies for both the 9mm and 38special. The 38 set had a crimp die, but not the 9mm. You have been telling me to crimp all pistol loads, so i didnt buy yet. I think i can get a separate crimp die. Also if i can find that IIRC set that Lee makes, would be good, but may be hard to find. Ill keep looking, and thanks for the replys, Larry

 

[BIGNASTY]

The lube I use for pistol cases even with carbide dies, it just seems to be easy on the brass and dies if you use just a little Hornady One Shot Case Lube not even on every case, and its not a real B***H to get off.

 

[GHarman]

The 9mm can be a tapered crimp that really is not noticeable. But the case has to grip the bullet tight, or the bullet will slip forward under recoil. And still be able to headspace on the mouth of the case.
Being fired from a recoil operated handgun, A loaded cartridge in the magazine, when fired, could have the bullet pushed further down into the case, if it is a loose fit! That creates high pressure. To get the best balance.
Your die expander ball needs to be considerably smaller than the bullet, more than 0. 002" which is inadequate neck tension. Probably closer to 0. 008" smaller than the bullet so the case will really grip the bullet. That means you need to slightly bell mouth a case to receive the bullet. This is usually done in a separate step, in a 3 die set concurrent with decapping and neck expansion.
Revolver loads must be crimped to prevent the bullet in an unfired chamber, in the cylinder, from backing out under recoil and locking up the cylinder.
Two different applications!
GregH

 

[KBurgoyne]

in the last set of 45s that i loaded, I used my 45/70 expander ball for the 45 auto brass, and just nipped the case mouth enough to get the bullet started into the case. . 458 instead of . 451. that way you dont need to expand the case all the way to get to the larger part of the expander ball and get a tight fit with on the bullet. it also eliminates chamfering the case mouths. my RCBS dies had the same size threads so i just swaped the larger expander in.

 

[GHarman]

KBurgoyne,
So what you have just described to me is a method to get less neck tension. If it works in your firearm, thats OK.
However, more neck tension eliminates the need to "taper crimp" your reloads that headspace on the mouth of the case.
GregH

 

[KBurgoyne]

i taper crimp the rounds too. i started this method because the gun didnt like the rounds when they were expanded fully. the extra diameter in the middle caused them to jam. i think i did a pretty lame job of explaining the method. i use the 458 expander to widen just the mouth of the case, and go as shallow as possible into the case, similar to seating bunny trail bullets. the bullet is very snug and doesnt need to be crimped. i use a light taper crimp to snug the case neck to the bullet. with a 38 (. 357) and 9mm (. 355) the 38 expander could be used to do the same thing.

 

[GHarman]

KBurgoyne,
That makes sense! I understand!
GregH

 

[edgeman]

Well you guys have done a lot more reloading than i have. When i can find all the componants needed to start, Ill probably have a few questions. Till then, i will just keep looking for everything i need. Thanks, Larry