Failure to feed on some handloads.
 

Here's a dilemma for you techie types. On some of my handloads, for .45 acp, I occasionally get problems with feeding. So I broke out the dial calipers and case gauge and did some checking. All the cartridges are the same, with the exception that most of the problems are with lead bullets, but not all. Some are FMJ. OAL is in check. No problems there. Case length is check as well. I checked the case diameter, and it's fine. I checked the crimp, and it's fine.
Everything is within spec. But some of the cartridges will check in the case gauge, and some stick about half way in.
I can do a drop test in the barrel, and they will load fine, but sometimes out of the magazine it will not load all the way. These are the ones that have a problem in the case gauge.
I've come to the conclusion that the problem is with the brass. Probably a nick or something that I'm not seeing. But I'm I overlooking something? I'm kind of at a loss.

Hey if you get powder in the cases then you are already doing better than Ellison. I usually just crimp the ones like you're talking about just a tad more. Seems I only have the same issues that you do when I use lead.

Hi Big Smoke,
in my experience.... with my 45 loads... I've been able to trace this issue to my crimp. Interesting that Doug suggests a "little more crimp"... since the fix for me was to "lighten up" the crimp a little, then recheck your COAL. Try both maybe?? What was happening for me was an almost imperceptible bulge from the bullet in the side of the case. It would go almost into the case gauge... then stop. Unfortunately, it would do exactly the same thing in my barrels. Also interesting was Doug's comment that it only happened with lead. Same here!!


I load (almost) exclusively Montana Gold 230 gr. JHP. I use Speer #14 reloading manual, and load my rounds to a COAL of 1.2 Failure to feed doesn't occur often any more.

Hope this helps.
+Michael

Are you shaving lead when seating?

Let me guess: You are using your seating die to crimp.

A dedicated taper crimp die will cure that.

I'm using a 4 die setup. Seating and crimping done separately. I did notice that on a couple, the seating die did shave a little lead. But if everything is within spec, even that shouldn't be an issue with feeding. Crimp is .473, seating to 1.253 O.A.L, and case lengths all under .498.

I crimp to .469-.470, and had some that wouldn't seat in my case gauge due to lead shaving, so I expanded more before seating

Most of them work fine. Just a stray every here and there. I'll crimp a little more and check again. Haven't had this problem until recently.
I loaded a bunch last winter, and haven't shot much this year due to availability of components, so I don't remember exactly what I did in the process. lol But I've been spec'ing every piece and everything is in check.

You're not expanding the casemouth enough.

bite me!

I didn't realize you needed to expand it that much. I'll open it up and try that. Sounds feasible to me. When you seat the bullet, and if it's not open enough, it would shave off lead, but I just figured if everything is within spec, it should fit. I'll expand my mind a little more while I'm at it. ;)

I took your advice, Dave, and it worked like a charm. Like I had any doubt... :)
I was over on a Reloading group on Facebook, and saw someone with the exact same problem. He posted pics of his load in the cartridge gauge, and it's the same thing. I told him to expand the case mouth a little more, but he got 30+ comments telling him everything else to do. The most common bit of 'advice' was to purchase a Lee Bulge Buster.
I'm not familiar with the Bulge Buster, but I told him to try expanding the case mouth first, before spending any cash. I think he just ignored my advice. lol

Glad to help.