Hello all,
I am new to reloading and may be over thinking this but today I had a squib on my 3rd round and it made me go back through and rethink and review the loads I just finished.
I was feeling good after the first 2 shots and then...
I am using the following:
Powder: IMR 700-X
Case/brass: once used Armscor policed by me at range
Projectile: IBEJIHeads 9mm 115gr LRN coated Advertised at .356 (Mic @ 0.3545 dia.)
Primer: Winchester small pistol
C.O.L.: 1.100 +/- .002
Load date from IMR shows 3.3 to 3.7 for 115gr LRN (non coated) c.o.l. 1.100
I loaded up
(15) at 3.2gr - 3.3gr
(15) at 3.4 gr +/-
(10) at 3.6 gr +/-
I case checked them in the barrel of my SW39 and they go in easy and stick a little coming out about half the time.
I mic them and they show .3765 dia.
The factory Armscor 124gr FMJ mic at 0.375 and slide in and out with no binding at all.
I mic the case wall at .012, so 2 times that is .024 plus the .3545 projectile gives me .3785, when crimped though they are .3765 dia.
I am not a fan of more crimping on the case to shrink the diameter because that removes the anvil seat edge of the case, but open for options.
1st picture shows what I am working with, now I am trying to figure out if the squib was a short sighted on my part with the load, but I was pretty much checking every load like crazy because of being new to the process. I am wondering about a slight stick issue, loads need a jiggle or tap 1/3 time on the barrel check, they are loose, but slight stick some times like 1 out of 4 checks with same cartridge.
With the squib I thought the load sounded right and the case ejected, but the feel was wrong and no paper whole at 5 yards, I was loading up one at a time with the mag and well my first 2 shots made me feel great and the third made me feel like a fool and well now I am going back over all my work with nothing but questions.
Also took a picture of the factory next to the reload, the reload has a roller belling see 2nd pic below.
Looking for suggestions before I end up with a second squib anyone got an idea what I am doing possible wrong, also I am using a Dillion 550 with Dillion dies, the machine is 25 years old but barely used, I order the mech powder lever, my unit uses the springs and waiting on the low primer alarm, back ordered from Dillion.
Materials being used above
Picture below, left cartridge is 124gr Armscor factory load with FMJ
Right cartridge is my load with 115gr LRN coated, same Armscor brass case once fired
See the roller bearing bevel on the reload, light shines through in middle?
Any and all suggestions are welcomed thank you Tom