I've just started reloading 45acp on a lee progressive press (pro 1000). My first run of 500 rounds was flawless. Every round fired clean and no jams.

This second run has some problems chambering in my pistols. The jam usually occurs about midway down the casing, as though there is a bulge in the casing, behind the bullet.

Any Ideas?

I'm using Ranier bullets because I'm building these bullets for plinking. Cases are not overloaded with powder - I'm using about 5.1 grains WIN 231. Exact same formula as the previous run

Thanks,
Killian

If you run the case through your fingers and can't feel a slight bulge, then that's not the problem.

Next thought - if half the case is sticking out of the chamber it means somewhere around the mouth of the case there's a problem. Check your crimp die to assure it's crimping well. You can load up a dummy round (no powder or primer) to check your operation and see if it will chamber properly.

3rd thought - Have you cleaned and lubed the slide rails recently?

4th thought - Think maybe a new recoil spring might help?

This might be not a reloading problem at all, but a build up of bullet lube, powder residue, lead shavings, etc., at the mouth of the chamber - preventing the cartridge from seating fully in the chamber.

You may be OVER-crimping, which can definitely cause problems with case symmetry (i.e. buLGing).

Check your set-up.


RSY

Hi there,
I have had the same problems with .40 cal round. I just used a Lee Factory crimp die and I never have had that problem again. It works and would do great in all of your pistols and rifles. Only $10 and you would have no problem with the final crimp. How many stages does a Lee have? You can set up your seating die, just to seat and then put in the factory crimp die to do its thing.

Hi,
I had a similar problem with 357's that wouldn't drop into the cylinder. Only had the problem with one kind of brass, but I tried the Lee Factory Crimp die and it cured the problem. Now I always use a Factory Crimp die on all my pistol reloads. It is well worth the extra trouble to seat and crimp in seperate operations.

Thanks for the advice.

I've got the Lee Factory Crimp and the pistols are all free of buildup. I'll check the Crimp to make sure its doing its job.

I'm getting jams about every 15-20th round through the press

The Lee Pro is a 3 stage turret press

1.De-prime and shape
2. Primer and Powder
3. Seat and crimp


Thanks for your help. I'll report the results
Killian

Looks like my ranier bullets might be crap.

45 ACP (.451 diameter)
about a 1/3 of my order is measuring between .4515 and .452. I'm going to contact midway and see if they'll take the stuff back.

I spent an hour going over the entire press by hand and it was perfect. Dropped in some speer and some hornady and they fed fine. No bulged cases. Dropped in some more ranier and the 10th load was bulged and wouldn't load in my sigs or taurus.

Thanks for the tips,
Killian