lee classic loader

[jonnyboy091373]

the case on the left is normal. hopefully this helps. I also used a pencil to highlight (somewhat) the case on the right.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Damn, next time you see something like this happening stop shooting whatever it is. This is not normal, and we will have to wait for the reloading experts ( I ain't one) to find out what you did.

[jonnyboy091373]

http://leeprecision.net/support/index.p ... sizing-die
But I didn't lube ... maybe I need to clean my brass better? Or make sure it's dry? Anyone?
more info...
http://www.gunrightsmedia.com/showthrea ... -Bad-Brass
google isn't helping as much as I'd like. :(

[Repawn]

Either the cases are work hardened, the crimp is to tight or you annealed the brass and left it too soft. My guess would be the brass being work hardened. Is it once-fired brass? What headstamp?

[jonnyboy091373]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthr ... ter-firing another website with some answers.
It is once fired prvi partisan brass that was shot from the same rifle. I hadn't annealed the brass, and I didn't crimp it either. Very strange.
maybe seating the bullet further in or out would help.
in because more pressure would be generated, and out because a better gas seal would form. I'll try both and see what happens. I have some already loaded with an oal of 2.945-2.953. (The size difference is due to the lead tips of the bullets not being uniform. I'll also load a few closer to 3 inch oal

[jonnyboy091373]

Just shot another 20 rounds of my hand loads of varying lengths and only one case had a dent in it this time. So, the next step in annealing the cases well, and if that doesn't work, accepting that I'm going to have to toss a case or two per twenty. Still doesn't seem so bad. It's a very fun learning process.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[tjtM38]

One of the problems with the Lee Loader is that you cannot get a "feel" of what the case is doing when you size it. If you put a lot of stess on the case when you resize (usually not enough lube) it can cause striations and longitudinal dents in the case when you size. Normally, this is in dies that full length size the case, which the Lee Loader is not supposed to do. Dents in the case near the shoulder results from excessive case lube. Therefore, I don't know what is going on here, but it does not look good. I guess the best thing I can say is discard these dented cases and try some other method. Once again I have to say that investment in a press and quality case sizing dies is something that I have found essential in successful reloading.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I have heard, and experienced dents forming in a case that was just resized with excess lube on it, that is common enough, we all do it sooner or later. I have never heard of dents forming in the case neck only after it has been fired, firing the case would fire form any dents that were there from the loading right out .

[jonnyboy091373]

I think the cause of the dents is due to the neck failing to fully expand, which leads to some of the gases blowing back into the chamber and then denting the case. Annealing should fix this problem. I think this because in the cases that are ok, a bullet will fall right in. But the cases with the dents are still tight, and a bullet would have to be forced in.

[jonnyboy091373]

Im also making the overall length of my cartridges on the longer side by not seating the bullets in as far. Again in the hope to cause the case neck to flair and create a better gas seal. Length is now 2.984-2.988. (Varies due to lead tip of bullets not being perfect, but all are on the long side.)

[bunkysdad]

If you have another rifle I'd be interested to know if you had the problem shooting your reloads in a different chamber. If not, I would suggest trying another brand of cases. I might could hook you up with some Winchester cases to try. Maybe I could round up a dozen to try.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I noticed a slight tightness in chambering reload 45/70's made with the loader when trying them in trapdoor rifles other than the one I shot them in.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I have a loader for 7.62x54 that I picked up a few years ago on eBay just for the hell of it, but I haven't used it yet.

[jonnyboy091373]

If you have another rifle I'd be interested to know if you had the problem shooting your reloads in a different chamber. If not, I would suggest trying another brand of cases. I might could hook you up with some Winchester cases to try. Maybe I could round up a dozen to try.

I'd be more than willing to trade 20 ppu cases for some Winchester brass. I have the brass from a friends rifle, but it wont fit mine. P.M. me if you're interested.

[Junk Yard Dog]

The cases are fire formed to your friends rifle's chamber, you can only use them if you full length resize them first, after you shoot them they will be fire formed to your rifles chamber, and you can then load them with the Lee loader ( it only neck sizes the cases) The only fired cases you will be able to reuse with the Lee loader are ones fired from your rifle.

[jonnyboy091373]

Very true.
I shot another 20 rounds today. Annealing the cases worked like a charm. Also the longer cartridge length was a touch more accurate as well. Now it's time to get more powder, bullets, and primers.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[millman]

So, do people prefer varget or h380 for powders? Ive heard h380 doesn't have good temperature stability and can lack consistent burn rate, but it is more available in my area. What do you guys think?

I use H380 in my Swedish 6.5x55 loads. Being a ball powder it is a little harder to set off. When the temps get down below freezing it can cause hangfires with normal LRPs. The use of magnum primers seems to be the fix. For the Mosin I would use IMR 4064.

[bunkysdad]

I have your cases ready as soon as I size them tonight I'll drop them in the mail.