Priming with Lee Classic Loader 9mm
Posted: 15 Dec 2023 07:08
Hey guys,
I wanted to get some advice and opinions on an issue I'm having. I've been reloading with a vintage 38 special Lee Loader and so far it's worked out great. I've added and replaced parts as needed, I even got a replacement 38/357 body die and also got a 9mm die. Aside from the die and Decap Chamber all the tools are the same between the two kits so it was cheaper to just add a 9mm die.
Anyway I went to range yesterday to try out some new loads I worked up and had 3 or 4 rounds that did not want to fire. My Taurus G3C has restrike capability so I tried pulling the trigger a couple times on each one and they still didn't go off. I racked the slide and kept going but afterwards I tried the dud rounds again. They all went off after being rechambered for some reason.
I've had this happen with some 357 rounds I rushed through but those all went off on the second strike, I've been making sure that I've seated the primers fully and it hasn't been an issue since with my revolver rounds.
The priming chamber is one of the original vintage tools, I'm wondering if maybe I need a new one or if I should invest in a hand priming tool? I made sure all the primers were just below flush and I've never had an issue with this particular gun and even my initial 9mm loads ran 100%. I've noticed that the primer pockets on 9mm cases are deeper than 38 and 357 cases. Maybe the vintage tool just can't get the primers deep enough in the 9mm cases?
I might try and clean out the firing pin channel before I go to the range again and see if that helps but I really dont think it's the gun. Never had an issue with factory ammo and my initial reloads didn't have this issue so I'm not sure what the problem is?
Maybe I need to tap harder when seating the primers? Rushing through a batch of reloads I've had a couple primers go off on accident so I've been really gentle when seating primers since then. Even still if they're just below flush they should be good right? I was using Winchester small pistol which I've never had an issue with before either. My initial reloads were remington 1 1/2 but I switched when I found out they're not recommended for 9mm.
I'm completely stumped on this one. The only thing I can think is they're not getting deep enough since the 9mm pockets are deeper.
If it helps the cases are not in the die when I prime them, I do everything in batches and I size cases before I clean them so it's easier to just leave the cases out of the die when priming. I know it's not the recommended way in the instructions but it's never been an issue and I've seen others do this too. Maybe if I prime while the case is in the die the weight of the die will help seat them further? I just worry that my case lube might mess up the primers which is why I size then clean and then prime.
What do you guys think?
I wanted to get some advice and opinions on an issue I'm having. I've been reloading with a vintage 38 special Lee Loader and so far it's worked out great. I've added and replaced parts as needed, I even got a replacement 38/357 body die and also got a 9mm die. Aside from the die and Decap Chamber all the tools are the same between the two kits so it was cheaper to just add a 9mm die.
Anyway I went to range yesterday to try out some new loads I worked up and had 3 or 4 rounds that did not want to fire. My Taurus G3C has restrike capability so I tried pulling the trigger a couple times on each one and they still didn't go off. I racked the slide and kept going but afterwards I tried the dud rounds again. They all went off after being rechambered for some reason.
I've had this happen with some 357 rounds I rushed through but those all went off on the second strike, I've been making sure that I've seated the primers fully and it hasn't been an issue since with my revolver rounds.
The priming chamber is one of the original vintage tools, I'm wondering if maybe I need a new one or if I should invest in a hand priming tool? I made sure all the primers were just below flush and I've never had an issue with this particular gun and even my initial 9mm loads ran 100%. I've noticed that the primer pockets on 9mm cases are deeper than 38 and 357 cases. Maybe the vintage tool just can't get the primers deep enough in the 9mm cases?
I might try and clean out the firing pin channel before I go to the range again and see if that helps but I really dont think it's the gun. Never had an issue with factory ammo and my initial reloads didn't have this issue so I'm not sure what the problem is?
Maybe I need to tap harder when seating the primers? Rushing through a batch of reloads I've had a couple primers go off on accident so I've been really gentle when seating primers since then. Even still if they're just below flush they should be good right? I was using Winchester small pistol which I've never had an issue with before either. My initial reloads were remington 1 1/2 but I switched when I found out they're not recommended for 9mm.
I'm completely stumped on this one. The only thing I can think is they're not getting deep enough since the 9mm pockets are deeper.
If it helps the cases are not in the die when I prime them, I do everything in batches and I size cases before I clean them so it's easier to just leave the cases out of the die when priming. I know it's not the recommended way in the instructions but it's never been an issue and I've seen others do this too. Maybe if I prime while the case is in the die the weight of the die will help seat them further? I just worry that my case lube might mess up the primers which is why I size then clean and then prime.
What do you guys think?