Marlin 1895 45-70 reload question

[MADCleveland]

Reloading new Starline brass with Hornady 250 gr. Monoflex bullet. Purchased new set of RCBS dies. Have resized and trimmed all cases. I am experiencing a consistency issue with expanding the case mouth. Instructions say bullet base should snap into case mouth and if not set die deeper. None of the expanded cases seem to be uniform. First on allows snap in, second admit the base but very snugly, third not at all. The die is properly locked and tightened; all cases receive a full stroke on the press with no issue. Any idea why there is not consistency? Thanks.

 

[mac86951]

Couple of questions.

Case length,
What type of expander die are you using?
Powder thru expander die?
Everything tight on the die?
What's your realizing set-up?
Any chance a quick change die system is in use and loose?
How did you set-up the die in your press?

Most likely, the die is loose or case lengths vary; though the cause could be many more places in the set-up process, so the more detail the better.

-Mac

 

[trader steve]

Mac, you need a reloading manual. Everyone has there own why of doing things study up before you start.steve

 

[mac86951]

Mac, you need a reloading manual. Everyone has there own why of doing things study up before you start.steve

Got one, thank you; been doing this for years; you?

Question to the OP, did you clean the dies? Possible the expander die has some gunk in it from packaging / corrosion protection.

-Mac

 

[trader steve]

About 37 years now of reloading. Always clean your dies new or used steve

 

[Charlie-NY]

Reloading new Starline brass with Hornady 250 gr. Monoflex bullet. Purchased new set of RCBS dies. Have resized and trimmed all cases. I am experiencing a consistency issue with expanding the case mouth. Instructions say bullet base should snap into case mouth and if not set die deeper. None of the expanded cases seem to be uniform. First on allows snap in, second admit the base but very snugly, third not at all. The die is properly locked and tightened; all cases receive a full stroke on the press with no issue. Any idea why there is not consistency? Thanks.

I use Starline brass and have been reloading some Hornady 250 Monoflex bullets lately myself. I use only the least amount of neck expansion possible. It should take a balanced bullet and a bit of pressure on the handle to get it started. All the bullets sort of "snap" into position; if you can call it that.

The 45-70 cartridge benefits from a tight-fitting bullet IMO, so don't overdo it with the expansion die.

 

[Gargoyle]

Mac, you need a reloading manual. Everyone has there own why of doing things study up before you start.steve

I don't understand this post. Mac do something I didn't know about?