This cant be ok

[Lank]

So I have reloading used brass and started to cast my own bullets. I am working with Lee single stage press, Lee dies, and Lee Casting Mold.

My first set of my cast bullets came out like these. For comparison I also included a Hornady bullet that seated in the neck just fine. It seems that the base of the cast bullets are larger.

I am using a Lee 9MM Luger Carbide Full Length Sizing Die. Do I need to adjust, the pic of the cast bullet and neck of cartridge suggest so? Thanks for any help, trying to learn as I go.

 

[IPSC_DRL]

So you are not running your bullets through a lubresizer?

 

[Artie]

With cast, you need to bell the case mouth with an expanding die. Good luck

Lee Universal Neck Expanding Die

Gently flares the case mouth to accept cast bullets without shaving. Works great to prevent damaging the moly and low friction coatings found on...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[Lank]

With cast, you need to bell the case mouth with an expanding die. Good luck

Lee Universal Neck Expanding Die

Gently flares the case mouth to accept cast bullets without shaving. Works great to prevent damaging the moly and low friction coatings found on...

www.midwayusa.com

Great thank you. Just ordered

 

[EddieCoyle]

You need to run those bullets through a lubrisizer. At .0.361", they're way too big.

 

[TrashcanDan]

That cartridge is a little too fast bare lead.
Coat it, wax it, whatever, and run it through a sizer. They're either oblong or too big or both.
If you know what your muzzle slugged out at, it'll be one of these 2 or similar to something like this. No idea if this comapny ships to mass but its a reference-

Classic Bullet Sizing Kit .356 Diameter

Classic Bullet Sizing Kit .356 Diameter by LEE RELOADING PRODUCTSFastest and easiest way to lubricate and size cast bullets. Standard 7/8 x 14 threads fit any reloading press. Bullets are pushed through the sizing die nose first, so no special nose punches are needed. Gas checks are...

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

Classic Bullet Sizing Kit .356 Diameter

Classic Bullet Sizing Kit .356 Diameter by LEE RELOADING PRODUCTSFastest and easiest way to lubricate and size cast bullets. Standard 7/8 x 14 threads fit any reloading press. Bullets are pushed through the sizing die nose first, so no special nose punches are needed. Gas checks are...

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

If you have a manual handy, open that up and see what the neck is supposed to measure at, and then add .001 or .002 to neck dia depending on what your barrel needs. Something like .381 or .382 or .383 depending. Or the metric equivalent.

So the 2nd link goes right to the 1st link but theres a .357 sizer on that website somewhere.

 

[Mountain]

That cartridge is a little too fast bare lead.
Coat it, wax it, whatever, and run it through a sizer. They're either oblong or too big or both.
If you know what your muzzle slugged out at, it'll be one of these 2 or similar to something like this. No idea if this comapny ships to mass but its a reference-

Classic Bullet Sizing Kit .356 Diameter

Classic Bullet Sizing Kit .356 Diameter by LEE RELOADING PRODUCTSFastest and easiest way to lubricate and size cast bullets. Standard 7/8 x 14 threads fit any reloading press. Bullets are pushed through the sizing die nose first, so no special nose punches are needed. Gas checks are...

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

Classic Bullet Sizing Kit .356 Diameter

Classic Bullet Sizing Kit .356 Diameter by LEE RELOADING PRODUCTSFastest and easiest way to lubricate and size cast bullets. Standard 7/8 x 14 threads fit any reloading press. Bullets are pushed through the sizing die nose first, so no special nose punches are needed. Gas checks are...

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

If you have a manual handy, open that up and see what the neck is supposed to measure at, and then add .001 or .002 to neck dia depending on what your barrel needs. Something like .381 or .382 or .383 depending. Or the metric equivalent.

So the 2nd link goes right to the 1st link but theres a .357 sizer on that website somewhere.

Midsouth are good folks. GTG for shipping.

@Lank , another option is the HiTek coating which will work with the Lee sizing dies. Lubrisizer nice but $$$. You do need to bell the case mouths as above mentioned. Good luck!

 

[Fixxah]

And be certain of finished length of loaded cartridge. OAL differs from profile to profile as does charge and/or powder.

 

[mac1911]

So I have reloading used brass and started to cast my own bullets. I am working with Lee single stage press, Lee dies, and Lee Casting Mold.

My first set of my cast bullets came out like these. For comparison I also included a Hornady bullet that seated in the neck just fine. It seems that the base of the cast bullets are larger.

I am using a Lee 9MM Luger Carbide Full Length Sizing Die. Do I need to adjust, the pic of the cast bullet and neck of cartridge suggest so? Thanks for any help, trying to learn as I go.

View attachment 405921View attachment 405921

Theres a lot of things going on here.
1. Your seating stem inside the seating die is the wrong profile for your bullet. The leading edge is hitting the ogive of the bullet vs the inner part of the stem evenly on the ogive.
#2 its very possible you have the seating die set up incorrectly. You maybe applying crimp before the bullet seats.
#3 you need to flare the case mouth

#4 start over ,
Reset your dies and if possible modify your seating stem. Hot glue works ok as does JB weld.
i would fix the other issues first.

Few questions
1. What bullet mold are you using and what size are the bullets dropping from the mold.
2. Did you slug your bore or use chamber casting alloy to cast your lead and or muzzle?
3. Are you reloading jacketed ammo with out issues?