Dillon 550 and coated bullets problems

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  • babalou

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 12, 2013
    16,016
    Glenelg
    own polymer coating

    Jim,

    The problem is probably the inconsistency of the PC on the bullets. I make my own PC bullets and I size them through a Lee push through die. If I don't do this, some bullets will bulge the case, even though they go through a Lee Factory Crimp die on the Dillon 550. This will cause problems in my S&W M&P and my Kahr P9 as the chambers are both tight.

    I suggest you get a Lee .356 size die and size them before loading or switch to another brand that might be more consistent.

    could you please tell me how and what you use? I do not reload but would like to get into it. I get the 300 208 subsonic polymer coated buwwets from the guy who did it at TomKat. Love them.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,724
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I make my own PC bullets, I do not buy them. Certain paints give me more build up than others so I have to adjust my COAL to what will work in my guns. For 300 Blackout, the nose area gets to be like .303 and that makes me seat them farther into the case. Since it is a low pressure round, this is not causing me any issues. For the 9x19, I had to buy an aftermarket barrel that was throated for lead bullets because my bullets would always get stuck in the throat in my M&Pc 9.

    For bolt and lever guns I don't have a problem as you have enough leverage to push the cartridge into the chamber. I do clean the chamber out with a chamber brush if I am shooting a lot.

    I would suggest maybe scanning the castbullets.org posts related to PC bullets to see who makes the most reliable ones.
     

    jimbobborg

    Oddball caliber fan
    Aug 2, 2010
    17,112
    Northern Virginia
    I got a free desk from work a couple of weeks ago. It's heavy and free, so now it's my reloading bench. I have to reload from the left side of the press. It's made a difference in the number of not quite perfect ammunition. I'm down to less than 5% needing extra attention.
     

    Postell

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Nov 5, 2018
    291
    I got a free desk from work a couple of weeks ago. It's heavy and free, so now it's my reloading bench. I have to reload from the left side of the press. It's made a difference in the number of not quite perfect ammunition. I'm down to less than 5% needing extra attention.

    I'm going to give you the answer again in this thread, after 40+ years of reloading, If its a auto loader, use a Taper Crimp Die. Not a Factory Crimp Die a Taper Crimp Die.
    The problems you are having is exactly why Redding, RCBS and others make Taper Crimp Dies.
    I run Smith and Colt autoloaders in 38 Special WC, Taper Crimps in Autoloaders cure a multitude of problems. Get one ( I suggest a Redding ) and crank it down, until all pass your plunk or chamber gauge test and then give it another half a turn down.
     

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