Reloading Issue. Won't Crimp before crushing

[addicted]

I'm trying to learn to reload with some guidence from my father in law and i've come accross an issue that we arent sure of.

The bullets wont crimp in place even if i turn the die down far enough to start crushing the neck. 

The neck starts to crush as pictured below and the bullet can still be slid in and out. 



So turn the die out, nothing happens. Turn the die in, the neck/shoulder start to deform, and the bullet still loose.

[huntinguy]

yep, what he said...

what is the size of the expander? what is the size of the bullet?

Need some details here.

The crimp part is in the die not the seater plug. (but, you knew that.)

[BOWHUNTER45]

Do not adjust the seater die against the shell holder ...I always run the shell holder up to the die using the handle on your press then screw in the die until it touches the shell holder then back it off about 1/4 to a 1/2 of a turn ... that should work for ya ! I never crimp my bullets ...they always shoot better /// 

[Biggerhammer]

You resized the brass first? You shouldn't need to crimp rifle cartridges. Bullet should be fairly tight when seating it. How many times has the brass been loaded?

 

Rather confusing? If the brass was properly full length resized, your neck tension will hold the bullet properly. There is absolutely no need for a crimp esspecialy on that size of a cartridge and no canular to boot? Make sure your brass is properly sized, put a empty case in your shell holder run it to the top o the stroke, then screw your seating die down untill it makes contact with the case shoulder. Back it off a bit and proceed with setting your overall s length and bullet seating depth from there. Ditch the whole crimp idea!

[carpsniperg2]

Funky, are your cases trimmed to the right length? The only time I have had cases crush or dent on me was when I hit a bag of factory brass from winchester that was way way to long. That would be my only  to help you out. Nothing else is popping into my brain right now. Love the ct's Have to love Nosler

[bullcanyon]

Used dies? I bought a set of dies off ebay and the guy had switched the guts out of them.  Make sure the case is getting resized properly.

[BOWHUNTER45]

L IKE YOUR CHOICE ON POWDER

[Biggerhammer]

L IKE YOUR CHOICE ON POWDER

If those are .308 Winchesters, he should be stuffing them with Varget!

[addicted]

I wasnt planning on using that powder, just need a backdrop to the kitched.

expander is .321 and bullets are .338.

I resized and trimmed(skimmed) to length. This is brass first time reloaded, factory shot ammo.



I just used the seater to push the bullet down to good COL and it stopped crushing but i can still move the bullet with my fingers.

[Biggerhammer]

I wasnt planning on using that powder, just need a backdrop to the kitched.

expander is .321 and bullets are .338.

I resized and trimmed(skimmed) to length. This is brass first time reloaded, factory shot ammo.



I just used the seater to push the bullet down to good COL and it stopped crushing but i can still move the bullet with my fingers.

Process of elimination leaves only the full length sizer die suspect? Somthing is strangely afoot with the die.

[addicted]

so they didnt get resized squarely?

[Biggerhammer]

so they didnt get resized squarely?

Are you completely full length sizing, cramming over? Or are you just sizing the neck?

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Sounds like a problem with the die,  usually you raise the ram fully and screw the die  till is touches the shell holder, then back out one full turn.  Is the die new?
Also you dont wanna crimp bullets like that unless there is a crimping groove, it will damage the bullet.

Lookin at the picture more something is wrong with the size of the neck.  It appears the bullet is to large?  Are you running the empty shell into the seating die before you try and seat the bullet?

[huntinguy]

expander is .321 and bullets are .338.

.017 difference? That could be the problem. You should only have .002 at the most .004. I think the bullets could be doing the crushing and that would also explain the slip fit after.

[Biggerhammer]

expander is .321 and bullets are .338.

.017 difference? That could be the problem. You should only have .002 at the most .004. I think the bullets could be doing the crushing and that would also explain the slip fit after.

I think your on to something.