9mm reloads

[tinbender]

I am in the process of reloading some 9mm luger cartridges and ran into a small problem. After sizing the brass and flaring it, the bullets (124 gr. gold dot hp) won't go into the brass very far.
My manual says to start them into the brass about 1/16 inch. They start into it but won't go very far. Is this normal for this cartridge? Should I go ahead and try them? Answers to this question or any other advice will really be helpful. Thanks, Steve.

What powder charge are you using. Is it possible that you have overcharged the case and are trying to compress the powder with the bullet. The 124 grain bullet should fit without much effort if you are using 9mm Luger (9x19) brass, and a .355 diameter bullet. Maybe more info would help us out.

[studdog]

I've had similar trouble at times. For me it is generally insufficient flare. It can also happen if you are crimping and seating in the same step depending on the depth of the seat and the amount of crip applied. The two operations can be done separately to avoid the problem.

[tinbender]

I haven't tried to load the powder yet. With 357 brass, after I sized and flared the shell, I could push a bullet into the case by hand to about a 1/16 inch without too much difficulty. The 9mm brass is too tight to do it by hand. Maybe it is just the difference in the calibers. I guess the press will push it on down.

The seating stem in the seating die will push the bullet down. The purpose of flaring brass is to give the bullet a start, so that you don't shave the bullet base on the edge of the case. Sounds like you've flared the cases enough to do the job, even if it isn't 1/16 inch.

You said by hand. Are you pushing the bullet into the case by "hand" and not using the press? You mentioned that "maybe the press will push it down".
muledeer