Help! Crushing brass

[AmickAndAmick]

I have a Hornady Lock n Load.... and this is a new problem for me... any thougths?

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[CdnInAz]

Could be not enough bellmouth at the expansion die. You want just enough flare so that you can place a bullet and it will stay there on its own.

Second possibility, if you are using combined seat/crimp die, crimp set too low so it is acting ahead of seat. I hated adjusting that, so added a separate crimp die.

[drcreepyfoot]

Originally Posted by CdnInAz

Could be not enough bellmouth at the expansion die. You want just enough flare so that you can place a bullet and it will stay there on its own.

Second possibility, if you are using combined seat/crimp die, crimp set too low so it is acting ahead of seat. I hated adjusting that, so added a separate crimp die.

I second both points.

[AmickAndAmick]

Thank you.. and yes it is a combined set/crimp die.... this just stared happening after about 2500 rounds and everything seems tight?

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[rayikeo2]

Check the press to see if when it seats the bullet, is the bullet tilted to one side 20 t0 30 degrees. That would make the bullet base extend over the case rim and when you push it into the case it crushes part of the top case edge down and under the bullet. Not enough bell or a press malfunction (tipped bullet) could cause the problem.

[fredj338]

Flare/bell the case more. If the bullet doesn't easily sit atop the case, more bell. Seating & crimping in one die is not the issue.

[JustSomeGuy]

Well... it IS an LNL, and they have a tendency to go out of sync. Check your manual for the method of resetting it so the cases are centered under the dies. This is suspect since you say it has happened after 2500rnds or so. Otherwise, I am with the other members and mostly tend towards not enough bell on the casemouth.

[UofHdevildog]

Flare.

Had the same thing happen to me before. Another 1/4 turn of flare/powder through die and I was golden.

[57K]

Yep, it sounds like you're not flaring quite enough so you want to follow the recommendation that others have already given. Just enough flare that the bullet will sit atop the case.

But since this started occurring after 2500 rounds loaded, I would check the instructions to make sure the shell plate is set as it should be to keep the cases centered as JSG mentioned as well making sure you're getting enough flare.

I don't know how you various progressive loaders are doing it, but if I were loading on a progressive, I would seat and crimp in 2 separate operations, Especially with a 5 station progressive.