First Time Reloading

JRHawkins1118 · Feb 25, 2024

I finally have gotten a setup started. It been fun so far and has taken a lot of time and energy to obtain the equipment I wanted. I did not purchase a straight up kit but instead read a lot and decided to get pieces one at a time.

After discussion with several of you I decided to go with a single stage press to start with. I purchased the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme IV.

I also purchased the Hornady Manual as an iBook. I think that was my first mistake. I think an old fashioned book on my work bench would have been better.

I am exclusively loading 9mm for right now.

I read a lot of people suggest not to expand the case. So I tried that. Crushed a few cases in process. Then found a process that worked for me.

Then I thought I should learn how to expand. So I did that. I think too much. Ended out with some over expanded and loose bullets.

Shot my first 100 rounds today of my reloads. I had several that didn’t feed properly. I was using my CZ P10f. Less expensive gun in case anything was damaged. But I think I’m okay. I did have to partial rack slide quite a bit to get the bullets to fire. More fired after some work. Then I tried a couple of magazines in my P07. It ate it up no problem.

So next step for me is to purchase hard copy manual. I’m thinking Speer as this is recommended by RCBS. I would like to figure out what I did wrong with flaring the cases though.

Also, I will do smaller quantities so I don’t waste them next time.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

yetti462 · Feb 25, 2024

I'm not familiar with loading 9mm. With 10mm I had to get a factory crimp die to get proper chambering.

Pin · Feb 25, 2024

These help

EGW 4-Hole Chamber Checker Max Cartridge Ga (9mm Luger, 38 Super, 40

The chamber checker is ideal for reloaders or shooters who want to ensure that ammunition is not too tight or loose to fit in their chamber. These...

www.midwayusa.com

Magyars · Feb 25, 2024

Pin said:
These help

EGW 4-Hole Chamber Checker Max Cartridge Ga (9mm Luger, 38 Super, 40

The chamber checker is ideal for reloaders or shooters who want to ensure that ammunition is not too tight or loose to fit in their chamber. These...

www.midwayusa.com

I prefer the drop test method. Disassemble the firearm and slip the reloads into the chamber.

Cynical · Feb 25, 2024

JRHawkins1118 said:
I finally have gotten a setup started. It been fun so far and has taken a lot of time and energy to obtain the equipment I wanted. I did not purchase a straight up kit but instead read a lot and decided to get pieces one at a time.

After discussion with several of you I decided to go with a single stage press to start with. I purchased the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme IV.

I also purchased the Hornady Manual as an iBook. I think that was my first mistake. I think an old fashioned book on my work bench would have been better.

I am exclusively loading 9mm for right now.

I read a lot of people suggest not to expand the case. So I tried that. Crushed a few cases in process. Then found a process that worked for me.

Then I thought I should learn how to expand. So I did that. I think too much. Ended out with some over expanded and loose bullets.

Shot my first 100 rounds today of my reloads. I had several that didn’t feed properly. I was using my CZ P10f. Less expensive gun in case anything was damaged. But I think I’m okay. I did have to partial rack slide quite a bit to get the bullets to fire. More fired after some work. Then I tried a couple of magazines in my P07. It ate it up no problem.

So next step for me is to purchase hard copy manual. I’m thinking Speer as this is recommended by RCBS. I would like to figure out what I did wrong with flaring the cases though.

Also, I will do smaller quantities so I don’t waste them next time.

Any suggestions will be greatly aappreci

JRHawkins1118 said:
I finally have gotten a setup started. It been fun so far and has taken a lot of time and energy to obtain the equipment I wanted. I did not purchase a straight up kit but instead read a lot and decided to get pieces one at a time.

After discussion with several of you I decided to go with a single stage press to start with. I purchased the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme IV.

I also purchased the Hornady Manual as an iBook. I think that was my first mistake. I think an old fashioned book on my work bench would have been better.

I am exclusively loading 9mm for right now.

I read a lot of people suggest not to expand the case. So I tried that. Crushed a few cases in process. Then found a process that worked for me.

Then I thought I should learn how to expand. So I did that. I think too much. Ended out with some over expanded and loose bullets.

Shot my first 100 rounds today of my reloads. I had several that didn’t feed properly. I was using my CZ P10f. Less expensive gun in case anything was damaged. But I think I’m okay. I did have to partial rack slide quite a bit to get the bullets to fire. More fired after some work. Then I tried a couple of magazines in my P07. It ate it up no problem.

So next step for me is to purchase hard copy manual. I’m thinking Speer as this is recommended by RCBS. I would like to figure out what I did wrong with flaring the cases though.

Also, I will do smaller quantities so I don’t waste them next time.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

I would check and make sure you crimped the case mouth enough after flaring it and seating the bullet.

Old Dog · Feb 25, 2024

"I would like to figure out what I did wrong with flaring the cases though. "

You possibly flared too much. You only need enough flare to just barely get the bullet started with finger pressure, then run through your bullet seating die to push the bullet in to correct depth. I adjust my flare stem by hand until I get just enough flare, then tighten it down. A Lyman reloading manual will take you through the basics. Good luck. If you have any more problems or questions come back here.

DadSmith · Feb 25, 2024

Magyars said:
I prefer the drop test method. Disassemble the firearm and slip the reloads into the chamber.

Yep can't beat a plunk test.

JRHawkins1118 · Feb 25, 2024

Pin said:
These help

EGW 4-Hole Chamber Checker Max Cartridge Ga (9mm Luger, 38 Super, 40

The chamber checker is ideal for reloaders or shooters who want to ensure that ammunition is not too tight or loose to fit in their chamber. These...

www.midwayusa.com

Thank you. I’ll try this.

Aszerigan · Feb 25, 2024

I respect the opinions of INGO members, but despite what some may say, a case gauge tells you more than the "plunk test" will. I don't know how good other members eyes are, but I can't see a 1/32nd inch issue with a barrel test. Don't rely on your chamber since every firearm has a different one.

Under expanded cases will result in crushing. Over expanded cases will result in folding. A Lee Factory crimp dies is your best friend in this situation.

Aszerigan · Feb 25, 2024

DadSmith said:
Yep can't beat a plunk test.

But... you can.

I respect your opinion but there are better ways to tell if a round is within spec. Just because it fits in one chamber doesn't mean it's in spec. There are a lot of "spec'ed" chambers out there, and some of them aren't even close to SAAMI.

No disrespect at all but a spec'd case gauge from Dillon / Wilson / Lyman tells a lot more than just eyeballing it.

DadSmith · Feb 25, 2024

Aszerigan said:
But... you can.

I respect your opinion but there are better ways to tell if a round is within spec. Just because it fits in one chamber doesn't mean it's in spec. There are a lot of "spec'ed" chambers out there, and some of them aren't even close to SAAMI.

No disrespect at all but a spec'd case gauge from Dillon / Wilson / Lyman tells a lot more than just eyeballing it.

I like plunk test because you can load it for that specific barrel.

If loading for say several 9mm barrels you'll have to pick the one with the shortest chamber for it to work in all of them.

sapper83 · Feb 25, 2024

Pin said:
These help

EGW 4-Hole Chamber Checker Max Cartridge Ga (9mm Luger, 38 Super, 40

The chamber checker is ideal for reloaders or shooters who want to ensure that ammunition is not too tight or loose to fit in their chamber. These...

www.midwayusa.com

I take a barrel off of a pistol, this is a good find

Aszerigan · Feb 25, 2024

DadSmith said:
If loading for say several 9mm barrels you'll have to pick the one with the shortest chamber for it to work in all of them.

And therein lies the problem. Loading for several chambers that are in spec should be easy with a case guage. Loading for several chambers that are out of spec.... ugh. Shouldn't even be a consideration.

9mm isn't like precision rifle. There aren't different chambers to work with.

For 9mm Luger / Parabellum etc - In spec: One Plunk, All Plunk.
For 308 - Load for the rifle individually.

Full respect @DadSmith, I just can't see a 1/64 difference in the drop test.

DadSmith · Feb 25, 2024

Aszerigan said:
And therein lies the problem. Loading for several chambers that are in spec should be easy with a case guage. Loading for several chambers that are out of spec.... ugh. Shouldn't even be a consideration.

My CZ P10F has the shortest chamber. So I load to its specifications. The Dagger has the longest, my Ruger PC9 a little shorter than the Dagger, Taurus is right there with CZ.
My shield 45acp, and Ronin 1911 both have basically the same chamber.

DadSmith · Feb 25, 2024

Aszerigan said:
And therein lies the problem. Loading for several chambers that are in spec should be easy with a case guage. Loading for several chambers that are out of spec.... ugh. Shouldn't even be a consideration.

9mm isn't like precision rifle. There aren't different chambers to work with.

For 9mm Luger / Parabellum etc - In spec: One Plunk, All Plunk.
For 308 - Load for the rifle individually.

Full respect @DadSmith, I just can't see a 1/64 difference in the drop test.

I'll show you the difference between the chambers of my 9mm's.
I use summit city, or Hoosier bullets so you have to find the correct oal because there is none published for those bullets that I'm aware of.

indyblue · Feb 25, 2024

DadSmith said:
My CZ P10F has the shortest chamber. So I load to its specifications. The Dagger has the longest, my Ruger PC9 a little shorter than the Dagger, Taurus is right there with CZ.
My shield 45acp, and Ronin 1911 both have basically the same chamber.

I have found that I have to load fairly short for the CZ 75D PCR. Much shorter than my other 9 mms.

And I don’t crimp die my 9 mm, I let the taper in the seating die do it . am I doing it wrong?

BackFromDC · Feb 25, 2024

I had similar problem when starting out (also with 9mm), try adjusting the full body sizing die, that helped me with over flare/expansion problems.

As for the plunk test vs case gauge, I do the case gauge. But it's also worth noting that some people reload to a cartridge spec vs a particular chamber spec. So if it's not fitting in a case gauge, try plunking it into a specific firearm chamber. Glocks and FNs are more forgiving. I go with the gauge since I have multiple firearms in 9mm and it doesn't make sense for me to load specifically for one particular one.

tomcat13 · Feb 26, 2024

For a "hard copy Manual," I've always used Lyman with Speer & Hornady as Backups.
Since I reload 9mm for a couple of different weapons, I us a Hornady Chamber Block checker & it seems to satisfy my needs.
I Taper Crimp All 9mm & have had Very few Jams in any of my weapons.
I've always heard 9mm handguns can be Finicky at feading time.
There may be some on this W/S that can verify or refute this.
Best of Luck & enjoy your new "Hobby."

loudgroove · Feb 26, 2024

Magyars said:
I prefer the drop test method. Disassemble the firearm and slip the reloads into the chamber.

I'll 2nd this method and add that if you have more than one gun. Check the OAL in all your guns at first and find the shortest chamber. I noticed right off the bat my compacts won't take the published OAL without trying to fire out of battery.

bgcatty · Feb 26, 2024

Great advice above! Take your time on the process, keep your concentration up and follow the rules.
You will be fine and enjoy the hobby! :woot:

First Time Reloading

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