Bullet Pushback 45 ACP

[Astroturf3040]

Hello switched to 185 GR Hornadys Jacketed bullets.

RP some TZZ IMI will not grip the bullet. I can push it into the case with my thumb.

Loaded lots of cast and swaged bullets, with no problem. WCC Federal cases seem fine.

Went back to basics, readjusted all the dies. No luck.

Lifetyme die set. Phelps.

Any suggestions? Any one else have same problem?

Thanks

[fc60]

Greetings,

Some brass are thinner walled. Such as early R-P, Western, and some of the IMI you have come across.

Contact Bruce Williams at Star Machine Works. He may have a smaller diameter Carbide sizing die.

The fancy die was a LifeTyme 2S. It had two Carbide rings. One for the basic sizing and the second sized only the neck area undersize. They work great as I have one that I bring out for thin brass.

It is possible that you might be able to use a smaller diameter expander plug. For the 0.451" jacketed bullets, a plug that measures 0.449 may do the trick.

More measuring is needed.

Cheers,

Dave

[Astroturf3040]

Ok ran the specs. Tapered post from .449 to .451 right before the bell.

Took a couple of cases that had loose bullets to another set of dies Saeco Stubbies actually. I cannot push the bullet back.


Anyone have an idea where I can locate a expander plug .449 please? Thanks

[fc60]

Greetings,

Two options on the expander plug.

1) Find someone with a lathe and chuck up the existing plug and dial it in true. Then polish the diameter with abrasive grit and Kerosene. Start with 240 grit and finish with 600 grit.

2) Contact Bruce Williams at Star Machine Works to see what he has in stock.

www.starmachineworks.com

Cheers,

Dave

[rbwillnj]

Yes,  I have several at .449.   Some that are even smaller.

Bruce Williams
Star Machine Works

[Astroturf3040]

Got the new plug, but no joy.

The RP brass is not sized down enough by the lifetyme sizer to hold the Hornady 185 gr .451 bullet.
Bullet drops right into the case and keeps going after sizing and before expanding.
I can adjust the taper crimp to size mouth to 458 or so...probably not the best for 50 yard groups though.

Cast or swaged lead bullets do not do the same with the RP cases and provide a tight fit.

So, given the Star setup, anyone have an undersize sizing die?
Guess I could go back to the lead bullets on the Star press.  Thanks

I will try my Dillon 1050....

[rbwillnj]

I believe Dave mentioned it above, the Lifetyme 2 stage carbide sizing die was designed for thin brass like Remington.   They are quite hard to come by, but I have one in stock.   I mentioned that in an earlier email.   Of course you could switch to another brass or another bullet.

Of course there is the possibility that your sizing die is oversized.  If you send me some of your brass and bullets I can test it with a standard sizing die and with the two stage die.

Bruce

[cc656d]

I have always found that Remington  45 ACP brass works best with the bullets that it was reloaded with ( Remington) . If my memory serves me right the Remington jacketed bullets were .4515"  .

[NYKenn]

First post started with "Switched to 185gr Hornady"  So start with the obvious, even though loads were okay on another set of Saeco dies, there could haven been variation in dies between the manufacturer?

Would not expect it, but were the 185gr heads measured?
Maybe this batch was undersized. Jacket compressed, or?
It is possible a glitch at Hornady during manufacture impacted some heads that quality control did not catch.