Reloading Issue.

[jmiller320]

I reloaded the rest of the 9mm brass I had prepared. I started out with reloading 100 using two different types of 115 grain bullets. I test fired both types with no issues in two different pistols. One Sig 365X and the other a S&W M&P Shield EZ. I finished loading the rest of the brass that was prepared with the original batch. Today I went to the range to test some .45ACP I loaded and I took some of the recent 9mm loads. I brought the S&W and the bullets wouldn't chamber. They fed OK and the length was the same, 1.125. The bullet was about 1/8" from seating in the chamber. When I returned home I tried the Sig barrel and they drop right in with no problem. Anyone have any ideas whats going on, or how to fix this issue?

 

[Carroll]

When I reload 9mm I check each round in a case gauge. Maybe I'm just OCD. Better to find out there is a problem using the gauge rather then the gun. You could check all dimensions of the loaded rounds using dial calipers.

 

[Squaregrouper]

Case checker is the easiest way. You could also use your micrometer and compare your cartridges against SAAMI spec.

 

[Growler215]

Might be slightly oversize at the base (aka "Glock Bulge".)

Sizing die doesn't go all the way to the bottom of the base. Lee sells a "bulge buster" that, in conjunction with a 9mm Makarov factory crimp die, squeezes the base back to within spec.

 

[holesonpaper]

For me, every pistol round is checked using the following… Works great.

Ammo Checker 100 rnd with Flip Cover

Ensure your ammo is consistent and accurate with the Armanov 100 Rnd Ammo Checker with Flip Cover! Shop now and reload with confidence.

www.armanov.com

 

[erwos]

I reloaded the rest of the 9mm brass I had prepared. I started out with reloading 100 using two different types of 115 grain bullets. I test fired both types with no issues in two different pistols. One Sig 365X and the other a S&W M&P Shield EZ. I finished loading the rest of the brass that was prepared with the original batch. Today I went to the range to test some .45ACP I loaded and I took some of the recent 9mm loads. I brought the S&W and the bullets wouldn't chamber. They fed OK and the length was the same, 1.250. The bullet was about 1/8" from seating in the chamber. When I returned home I tried the Sig barrel and they drop right in with no problem. Anyone have any ideas whats going on, or how to fix this issue?

This sounds like your bullet is hitting the rifling, and thus not fully chambering the cartridge. Not all barrels have the same throat characteristics, and some of them are a little more forgiving than others. Your gauges will not spot this problem because they're not barrels and have no rifling.

First of all, max COAL for 9mm is 1.169, so if you're actually loading to 1.25, you're waaaay out of spec. Hopefully you really meant 1.15.

Second, your bullet profile has a lot of impact on what seating depth you need. I can tell you that I try to load to 1.105 or 1.11 with my 9mm because there's a lot of barrels that simply have very little freebore and tight throats. Yes, this means you will need to be intelligent about your powder and not load to max right away. On the flip side, with 115s, you aren't going to be running into pressure situations if you load them in a bit deeper.

Finally, if you're not using a Lee FCD, that's a possible solution if it's really a brass dimension issue. But I'm betting it's not. Bulged at the base brass is more of a 40 S&W problem than 9mm.

 

[John from MD]

I reloaded the rest of the 9mm brass I had prepared. I started out with reloading 100 using two different types of 115 grain bullets. I test fired both types with no issues in two different pistols. One Sig 365X and the other a S&W M&P Shield EZ. I finished loading the rest of the brass that was prepared with the original batch. Today I went to the range to test some .45ACP I loaded and I took some of the recent 9mm loads. I brought the S&W and the bullets wouldn't chamber. They fed OK and the length was the same, 1.250. The bullet was about 1/8" from seating in the chamber. When I returned home I tried the Sig barrel and they drop right in with no problem. Anyone have any ideas whats going on, or how to fix this issue?

You should buy a cartridge length gauge and check your loads.

 

[K31]

Two different types of bullets can have different ogives, even though they have the same weight and can therefore contact the rifling at different points even when the same OAL length is used.

 

[lazarus]

This sounds like your bullet is hitting the rifling, and thus not fully chambering the cartridge. Not all barrels have the same throat characteristics, and some of them are a little more forgiving than others. Your gauges will not spot this problem because they're not barrels and have no rifling.

First of all, max COAL for 9mm is 1.169, so if you're actually loading to 1.25, you're waaaay out of spec. Hopefully you really meant 1.15.

Second, your bullet profile has a lot of impact on what seating depth you need. I can tell you that I try to load to 1.105 or 1.11 with my 9mm because there's a lot of barrels that simply have very little freebore and tight throats. Yes, this means you will need to be intelligent about your powder and not load to max right away. On the flip side, with 115s, you aren't going to be running into pressure situations if you load them in a bit deeper.

Finally, if you're not using a Lee FCD, that's a possible solution if it's really a brass dimension issue. But I'm betting it's not. Bulged at the base brass is more of a 40 S&W problem than 9mm.

I run all my 9mm to 1.110" for the reasons you mentioned.

 

[outrider58]

I'm thinking erwos is on the right track.
Take a sharpie and color the bullet in the cartridge. Press it into the chamber of the S&W firmly. Is it difficult to pull out? Are there small scratches in the sharpie colored bullet from hitting the rifling?

 

[erwos]

I'm thinking erwos is on the right track.
Take a sharpie and color the bullet in the cartridge. Press it into the chamber of the S&W firmly. Is it difficult to pull out? Are there small scratches in the sharpie colored bullet from hitting the rifling?

Yeah, if you drop the slide and the bullet is hitting the rifling, you'll generally see pretty clear evidence of that when you pull the round out.

 

[atblis]

1.25” is 10mm/45acp length. Do those even fit in the magazine?

 

[Uncle Duke]

Proper specs appear in every reputable reloading manual.

Sometimes there's so much data on a page, perhaps specs get overlooked??? Or folks don't know they're there? Or simply don't look?

 

[atblis]

Wondering if he meant to type 1.125”

 

[outrider58]

Wondering if he meant to type 1.125”

Could have been fat thumb syndrome.

 

[Rockzilla]

9mm is a "tapered" case.
The chamber's of each gun is different, bullet profiles are different, even the cases themselves will have or probably have different thicknesses. The amount of "flaring / bellimg of the case mouth will come into play, the amount of crimp and the ability to return the case mouth back to it's nominal dimensions. Then you have "proper"OAL case length for given combo"
It could be any of the above or as many have already mentioned.

So with that.
Different chambers what will work in one may not work in another.
Proper sizing die setup ( and locked ) (RCBS carbide and Mighty Armory here)
Flaring / Bellimg die setup correctly (Lyman "M" die, Mighty Armory here)
Seat die with proper stem round nose or SWC profile ( RCBS with both stems / same with Mighty Armory)
Taper crimp adjusted correctly if that's what your using ( I use CH4D taper crimp or Mighty Armory)
The ole school is "Plunk Test" drop round in barrel see what it does.
Then you have ammo checkers
I use the checkers from below for all my cases
If you decide to go with them ..be careful there are in 9mm case 3 different types of checkers for different types.

Case Gauge Ammo Checker 9 mm 50-hole

These 50 hole case gauges now fit the High Plains Small Caliber Reloading Trays

www.egwguns.com

I reload all different types of bullets in 9mm, lead, plated, jacketed. All different profiles.
and make a "dummy round" to make die setup easier, at least it will get me closer to the desired dimensions

-Rock

 

[E.Shell]

Another potential problem is developing varying case lengths. Varying case lengths can affect crimp and over-crimping, even with a taper crimp, can form a slight bulge at the case mouth and interfere with chambering.

 

[Rockzilla]

Another potential problem is developing varying case lengths. Varying case lengths can affect crimp and over-crimping, even with a taper crimp, can form a slight bulge at the case mouth and interfere with chambering.

What the "man said"..

Ya..beat me to it ...
Saved me some more typing.."editing"
Thanks ..

-Rock

 

[Blacksmith101]

SAAMI Spec See page 24 for 9mm

https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/SAAMI-Z299.3-2022-Centerfire-Pistol-Revolver-Approved-12-13-2022.pdf

 

[Rockzilla]