Reloading Setup

[HALODIN]

OK I'll take a look thanks.

Part 1 of 8 here:

Halodin,
I suggest that you look at the Sinclair series of reloading videos on YouTube.
They will answer most of your questions. I use them for the reloading courses that I run for one of the major Bisley clubs.

[HALODIN]

I've watched all 8 now and it did fill in a couple of gaps. I didn't realise the bullet can become crimped in the chamber if you exceed the max OAL, I also know why you flare the case mouth for lead bullets now. Useful stuff. :cheers:

Halodin,
I suggest that you look at the Sinclair series of reloading videos on YouTube.
They will answer most of your questions. I use them for the reloading courses that I run for one of the major Bisley clubs.

[HALODIN]

I think I'm going to pull this batch of ammo. I didn't realise the importance of over crimping and as I didn't mark the few cases that I'm concerned are over crimped, it's safer to pull the lot IMO.

[Blu]

I think I'm going to pull this batch of ammo. I didn't realise the importance of over crimping and as I didn't mark the few cases that I'm concerned are over crimped, it's safer to pull the lot IMO.

That's the way to go mate, if in doubt pull em out. Every day is a school day mate. This week I have learned how to and rebarreled a Yugo M48 mauser under the watchful eye and guidance of a very good gunsmith friend of mine. Tomorrow I'm going to blue the barrel.

Blu

[HALODIN]

Cool, sounds like fun. I hope it goes well.

Too right. As far as I'm concerned, it's only a mistake if I blow the rifle or myself up.

That's the way to go mate, if in doubt pull em out. Every day is a school day mate. This week I have learned how to and rebarreled a Yugo M48 mauser under the watchful eye and guidance of a very good gunsmith friend of mine. Tomorrow I'm going to blue the barrel.

Blu

[dromia]

Flaring the case mouth for cast boolits is not a good idea, the case mouth should be properly expanded, unless you are lucky enough to have the correct ID just from sizing the neck. Even then it is better to put a slightly larger expanded step in from the case mouth rim that a flare..

[HALODIN]

Does that advice apply to pistol calibers as well?

Flaring the case mouth for cast boolits is not a good idea, the case mouth should be properly expanded, unless you are lucky enough to have the correct ID just from sizing the neck. Even then it is better to put a slightly larger expanded step in from the case mouth rim that a flare..

[dromia]

If they are being loaded with cast boolits yes. Why should pistol be different from rifle, both will lead with poor fitting too hard and alloy boolit?

As well as being good practice and aiding accuracy it protects the boolit from deformation and resizing upon seating if you have the correct neck tension.

What is the point of getting a good fitting bullet for accuracy and so that you don't get leading to have a tight case neck size it down for you to below optimum?

If your case neck is too small then all flaring will do is let you squeeze the boolit into the case, by using a stepped expander of the correct size for the cases you are using will ensure proper neck tension and also that the boolit goes into the seating die square. A flare die will do none of this.

[HALODIN]

That makes sense. The chap in the sinclair video made it sound like you always flare the case mouth for lead bullets in pistol calibers. Just to clarify something - when you say "cast boolits," are you grouping home and factory cast boolits together? I assume so.

If they are being loaded with cast boolits yes. Why should pistol be different from rifle, both will lead with poor fitting too hard and alloy boolit?

As well as being good practice and aiding accuracy it protects the boolit from deformation and resizing upon seating if you have the correct neck tension.

What is the point of getting a good fitting bullet for accuracy and so that you don't get leading to have a tight case neck size it down for you to below optimum?

If your case neck is too small then all flaring will do is let you squeeze the boolit into the case, by using a stepped expander of the correct size for the cases you are using will ensure proper neck tension and also that the boolit goes into the seating die square. A flare die will do none of this.

[HALODIN]

I reloaded another 25 rounds last night having adjusted my seating die to move the crimp ring out of the way and they all seated nicely this time. I still get a variance on the OAL though, 2.784" -> 2.800". The only thing I can think of, is the polymer tip on the A-MAX bullets are causing it, but perhaps not. I also might buy some new brass as a test.