.45LC brass

Thy are swelling with anticipation.

Lightningbolt wrote: I only know from my reloader guy but it sounds like the casing is compromised from over pressure and or they've ran out their life expectancy from multiple reloads.

You'd have that issue prior to sizing, OS is stating that it's only AFTER sizing that the case deforms.

tallen702 wrote: Lightningbolt wrote: I only know from my reloader guy but it sounds like the casing is compromised from over pressure and or they've ran out their life expectancy from multiple reloads. You'd have that issue prior to sizing, OS is stating that it's only AFTER sizing that the case deforms.

after resizing which time? Ok I'll try this another way.   After so many years, firing, and reloads, it's time to throw the garbage away.


Edited by Lightningbolt - 23 August 2014 at 4:48am

Are you using Carbide dies? If now are you using case lube. If you are using case lube it sounds like you are using too much.

I only reuse cases a max of 4 times. This lot I am reloading are only one 1st reload. So far reloaded 250rds with 35 cases now swelled and not useable, and all are in the 1st reload lot. I use candle wax as case lube and never had this problem before with Lee Hand Loaders. I have 1000 cases, and all are separated by reload number.

I have reloaded a few without sizing. If they fit in cylinder on initial check, I just reload them without sizing, and they work fine.

My rifle rounds get 35gr FFFg with 250gr bullet, going to 'lightload' a few for revolvers with 25gr FFFg and a wonderwad with the 250gr bullet.

Took a few cases to brother in laws and used his fixed loader, 0 swelled out of the 100 loaded. My guess is the cases bind up somehow while being driven in hand sizing die and the case wall outside the die swells and can n o longer be fully driven in die. I use a rubber no rebound hammer to drive cases in hand die, candle was case lube, and on all my other rounds loaded with Lee Hand Loaders this is the only time I have seen this.

oldsoldier wrote: Someone needs to market actual Cowboy loads in Black powder so am not dependent on reloaded commercial 'smokeless' loads. I need 750rds of .45LC, and 50rds of .45/70 for the 3 day shoot in September. A lot of work, and now with this reloading problem a tad frustrating. I still need to find the brass or paper 'shotgun' cases, we can use commercial 'plastic' but frowned upon

I used to run up against this problem when I reenacted dismounted cavalry with my Smith's Carbine. I had 60 of the heavy duty black plastic 'shells' to load blanks, rather than the brass casings. Four brass ones came with the rifle when it was given to me, and when I priced out enough of them to shoot a weekend with, even back then the cost would have been ludicrous, so I loaded and shot the plastics. Some of the more hardcore guys used to give me grief about it since it wasn't authentic.

That sounds fun. Just got my Dillon up and running and loaded 1000 9x19mm rounds. Damn this is better than a single stage. That would have taken me around a month the old way.

I traded my 1851 Navy pistols and I still miss the hell out of them. (Most beautiful guns ever). But today I found out the local black powder producer is closing down. It is already R1500/kg ($150/kg). Not that sorry I don't have them any more.

Edited by Kayback - 29 August 2014 at 3:57pm