need a little help

[cas1069]

reloading 45acp with a Lee Carbide 3-Die Set
using 230fmj ball and some of my rounds look like a snake that ate a gopher and others look "normal"

any ideas welcome

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Are you using mixed-headstamp brass?

It is not unusual for the appearance you describe to occur. When the brass is resized it is a little smaller than the usual bullets, so you see what you are seeing when the bullets are seated.

Various makes of brass may vary slightly in thickness, contributing to the differences you report.

So long as they chamber properly, it's no biggie.

 

[cas1069]

its mixed brass will have to look and see if its all the same headstamp or not
the brass looks normal till the bullet is set
will try to get some pics

they work fine in my colt but not so much with a glock

i may just have to keep the gopher rounds for my colt

 

[Rick Courtright]

reloading 45acp with a Lee Carbide 3-Die Set
using 230fmj ball and some of my rounds look like a snake that ate a gopher and others look "normal"

Hi,

Don't load .45 ACP, but have experienced the same problem w/ 9mm (RCBS dies, but I don't think brand matters.)

Solution was to deepen the flare a bit so the bullet can seat more squarely. Also, seat the bullet in a smooth, even way, not TOO fast, so it CAN self center.

If there's still a bit of a problem, the Lee Factory Crimp Die (FCD) can be added. It won't "undo" mistakes in flaring and/or seating technique, but will post size the round so it should chamber ok... the FCD can also be employed to do the entire crimping process, so your seater can be adjusted to seat the bullet w/ no crimp. Sometimes this can help.

Rick C