Caution: I don't know a whole lot about reloading, so verify that anything I tell you is safe before you try it.

What gun are you loading it for? If you own a .45 revolver, could you not load it up and CAREFULLY use it as range ammo? I know that using it for an autoloader is probably bad (setback and pressure issues), but it seems to me that if you can set it to a consistent depth you can use it for a revo. Worst case is the gun works as a kinetic bullet puller, and you have to load them single-shot (or the first cylinder in a gun loaded with other ammo).

A PITA, but it would beat junking them or manually splitting 700 cases.

Mike

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What gun are you loading it for?

Mike

Ruger P90 .45 ACP (and before anyone disses it, it was a gift, not a choice).

If you own a .45 revolver, could you not load it up and CAREFULLY use it as range ammo? I know that using it for an autoloader is probably bad (setback and pressure issues), but it seems to me that if you can set it to a consistent depth you can use it for a revo. Worst case is the gun works as a kinetic bullet puller, and you have to load them single-shot (or the first cylinder in a gun loaded with other ammo).

Not a bad idea Mike.  But what is weird is that the first 250 loaded just fine.  Cannot move the bullet by pushing on them.  And roughly 100 of the next 150 will be okay.  Though I was able to push them down in the case, they would only go in a little, leaving them at about 1.240" OAL.  The first 250 were around 1.267" OAL.

A PITA, but it would beat junking them or manually splitting 700 cases.

So far I only have 40+ to pull apart, though that is plenty.  Roughly 300 bullets to go.  But I want to figure out what I screwed up, since the first 250 loaded so perfectly.

If you don't own a .45 revolver, now you have an excuse ...

I wish!  But it will never fly past SWMBCIAT.

Beyond my ken. I defer, as I have an affinity for my face and fingers and I assume that you do as well. My concern would be that the gun would act as a kinetic bullet puller and you may have one unseat in the mag. I would view it as being more likely under this scenario, since the bullets would be seated more shallowly. If it happened, I don't know if that would cause merely a tie-up or if there is a possibility of something more dire (like moving beyond proper OAL, catching on the ramp, then being shoved REALLY far back when the slide moves up, then going into the chamber like your own personal IED).

Mike

I load my .40 way longer than spec. Just gotta crimp the s___ out of it but never had one fall apart in the mag.

I know this has digressed from my original question, as I initially thought my options would end up being to either melt them down somehow or find a black powder shooter who could patch them up a bit.  But we've gone on for so long with it off the original topic that I thought I'd see it a little further.

So . . .

Thanks for that wisdom, Norseman.

Unfortunately, by the time I read it, I had already loaded the rest of the bullets out to about 1.290", those that didn't push down in.  That gave me about 180 more "good" rounds, and about 160 or so to disassemble with the kinetic puller.

HOWEVER.  All the wisdom of the response was not wasted.

I didn't do any assembly of bullets till late last night, only disassembly.

For the .45 ACP, my Dillon dies are the older style, so I went looking for Dillon specific instructions, since each manufacturer has their own instructions (some say install a die till it touches, others say install their version of the same die till it's the thickness of a nickle (or a matchbook) off the shellplate, etc.).  I haven't actually found those instructions yet, as I got sidetracked.  I found a thread where someone was grousing about his 550b messing up all his loads.  He received several suggestions to make sure the shellplate was tightened down properly (which, along with mis-allignment, was his problem).  Well, I looked at my press, and OOPS!, shellplate was not tight enough.  Brought up the instructions and re-set the shellplate to the correct tension.  Loaded one round (after re-setting the seating die to the correct depth) and it came out perfect!

So, I ran one of the previous 180 overlength rounds in at station 3 and seated it a bit deeper, then back through the LCD again.  Again, perfect!  Finished that box of 30, and they all were correct length and with no pushback into the cases.  My next task will be to run the other rounds I have assembled back through, to shorten the overlong ones and so the FCD can actually do what it is intended with all the rounds, without the slop in the shellplate not allowing it to actually work.

Only after that will I re-set each die (after making sure the shellplate is still tensioned correctly) per the manufacturer's instructions, and start over on the roughly 160 bullets remaining.  BUT!  Just to be on the safe side . . . no R-P shells for these last few bullets.

I didn't really think of it, since .45 ACP was the last caliber I ran through the 550.  But that's a good practice to get into.

So, does that mean someone applied a roll crimp to them?  I didn't think a taper crimp could get in that tight.

A sizing die? How does a sizing die even touch a bullet?

Post #38 fixed.........   Nice catch guys.

A heavy taper crimp will leave a groove.  In fact, I've actually seen a misadjusted seat/crimp die give a plated bullet a "muffin top".

Yeah.  I just had a .38 special round that wouldn't feed for that exact reason.

Is it it possible those plated bullets would have faired better loaded for 44 special or mag to go through a rifle?

Most bullets I have ever loaded for 45acp are .451 min. Exceptions would be the Remington golden saber that are banded.

.452-.453 I understand are usually for 45 colt.

What Jesse said.

And . . . much as I'd like to, I don't have a .44, of any variety.