SIGforum
How does one cull cases that will be too long?

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/840601935/m/4770095934

March 25, 2018, 09:34 AM
P320Mac
How does one cull cases that will be too long?
9mm Every round (for competition) put together using a Dillon Square Deal is checked with headspace gauge. Too many do not pass as being too long and a very few for being too fat. [Have a PPS-M2 that seems to digest the out of tolerance rounds and a 9mm revolver that indexes on the rim.]

Please suggest means for culling clean, deprimed, used cases so that fewer fail to pass gauge when loaded. Thanks


Mac in Michigan
March 26, 2018, 02:34 PM
MNSIG
Are you sure it’s case length rather than inadequate crimp or inadequate resizing? I don’t think I’ve ever had a pistol case get too long before it split.
March 26, 2018, 05:14 PM
sigcrazy7
I'd expect the best practice would be to trim your brass to a common length. You should only need to do this once with pistol brass.

You could also try a Lee FCD. Say what you want about Lee, but their factory crimp die is a really nice tool for pistol loading to prevent "fat" rounds, since its last action is to pull the loaded round through a resizing die.



Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well. -Epictetus
March 26, 2018, 08:47 PM
P320Mac
Thanks MNSIG. Not clear what the cause is of the rare too-fat loaded cases. However, the other rejects have too much distance between rim and mouth. When I push down the cartridge when it is in the gauge it stops on the inside "ledge" with some of the rim above the gauge.

sigcrazy7 suggest trimming cases. What tool/tooling is available to perform this task?

I intend to mark the cases that have been loaded and found to be too long so that those cases are not mixed with "right" length cases after they have been shot in insensitive firearms. What sort of marking pens or the like have been found to work? Thanks


Mac in Michigan
March 27, 2018, 10:58 AM
FN in MT
What sizing die are You using?

Is it set up to size as far down the case as possible?

Is Your brass all originally new and fired only in your gun? Or is it random range pickups?
March 27, 2018, 03:20 PM
jhe888
It is hard to figure why cases were too long. Straight (or slightly tapered) cases don't really stretch on firing. Is there a brand that was longer to start with? Still, if they are all within SAAMI specs, they shouldn't grow beyond them.




The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
March 28, 2018, 01:03 PM
625JME
Using a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die is NOT a bright idea with anything but quality jacketed bullets. The sizing of the case sizes the bullet smaller than it should be. Promoting leading.
Causing plating or coating to be stripped off the bullet.

Using a Lee Taper crimp or Redding Taper crimp die is a better idea.

A person will always have "coke" bottle rounds.
They should chamber and shoot just fine. I have been loading auto loading rounds since the early 80's. And, I have never trimmed a pc of handgun brass except for heavy recoiling round so I can apply a uniform crimp.
March 28, 2018, 10:33 PM
TRshootem
I check every round in a case gauge before loading magazines. Most loaded cases that don't make the cut are due to the rim being marred by whatever pistol it was shot in(range brass). I use 145 gr LRN for USPSA and some random cases are thicker, heavier and do not drop in the gauge. These are set aside and shot for practice or pulled if really messed. All are loaded on a 550 with Dillon dies. The only caliber I use the LFCD is on 300 BLK Out. On pistol loads, a quality taper crimp die is best.
March 29, 2018, 10:45 AM
P320Mac
When I can find something that works to mark the over-long cases (so that they can for sure be segregated) I will mark and shoot them. Any suggestions on a marking system?

When the marked cases are gathered, I will endeavor to see if anything correlates with the source of the cases.

I am using the 9mm dies that came with the Dillin Square Deal system. Those dies are not standard.

I have not ever used just-lead bullets. Virtually all of the bullets have been either Berry 115 HB or HAP 115. [I tried some 147 Berry with light powder charge and it did not seem to help recoil.]

Thanks for the observations. Mac


Mac in Michigan
March 29, 2018, 02:29 PM
Jim Watson
I have not seen an overly long 9mm case and only a few .45s. I submit that the reason you may be showing rim above the gauge is a burr or ding on the rim itself. Turn an offending cartridge around and see if the rim will enter the gauge. It won't go in far, the 9mm is tapered. If not, there is the problem. A minor burr can be rubbed off by twisting the round in the entry to the gauge.
April 21, 2018, 08:08 AM
Bigboreshooter
quote:
You could also try a Lee FCD.

WORD!



When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. Luke 11:21


"Every nation in every region now has a decision to make.
Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." -- George W. Bush

June 12, 2018, 01:32 PM
tsmccull
quote:
Originally posted by P320Mac:
When I can find something that works to mark the over-long cases (so that they can for sure be segregated) I will mark and shoot them. Any suggestions on a marking system?


Couldn’t you color the case bottom with a blue or black permanent marker?
June 13, 2018, 06:46 PM
jmorris
Why do you think they are too long?

If it is because the rim is above the case gauge, try putting the case in backwards and give it a twist.

If the rim won’t enter the gauge from bottom first, if won’t enter bullet first.
July 09, 2018, 08:15 AM
xl_target
quote:
Originally posted by 625JME:
Using a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die is NOT a bright idea with anything but quality jacketed bullets. The sizing of the case sizes the bullet smaller than it should be. Promoting leading.
Causing plating or coating to be stripped off the bullet.

Using a Lee Taper crimp or Redding Taper crimp die is a better idea.

A person will always have "coke" bottle rounds.
They should chamber and shoot just fine. I have been loading auto loading rounds since the early 80's. And, I have never trimmed a pc of handgun brass except for heavy recoiling round so I can apply a uniform crimp.
if your FCD is changing the diameter of your bullets, you may not have it set correctly.
I've used them for years with coated and plated bullets and never had an issue with stripping the plating or coating (on 9mm and . 40 s&w) or changing bullet diameter.
July 22, 2018, 09:37 AM
chansen92
quote:
Originally posted by P320Mac:
9mm Every round (for competition) put together using a Dillon Square Deal is checked with headspace gauge. Too many do not pass as being too long and a very few for being too fat. [Have a PPS-M2 that seems to digest the out of tolerance rounds and a 9mm revolver that indexes on the rim.]

Please suggest means for culling clean, deprimed, used cases so that fewer fail to pass gauge when loaded. Thanks
I use a Caliper and measure every one of them every time I load for match. It's not a big deal as long as I don't use match brass for plinking. This whole thing is a hobby for me and I don't mind all the little steps. I also don't load too hot and stress the brass.