9mm Luger Reloading Help

S

Shynloco

New member
Hi Guys,

I just took up starting to reload 9mm ammo for my sons. I reload for my rifles, but I've never reloaded handgun ammo before in my life. I'm not much of a handgun lover but they love 'em. My question involves the "Expander Die" in the Redding Three Die Set that I bought. The instructions say to "slightly" expand the mouth of the 9mm casings. Will someone please tell me how much is "slightly?" I mean how deep should I set the Expander to open the mouth.... 1/8", 1/4" or 1/2". All suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thx!
 
Measure the case mouth then adjust the expander until it flares the case mouth .010-.015 should get you close. I have found lead bullets require more then jacketed to keep from shaveing lead. If you flare to much the case will not go into the seating crimp die. Over flareing will also cause the brass to work harden causeing the case mouth to eventually start splitting, 9mm brass is cheap and I usually lose it before it becomes a problem.
Another loosely rule is to flare the case mouth until a bullet will sit on the case mouth on its own.
 
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Quote:Another loosely rule is to flare the case mouth until a bullet will sit on the case mouth on its own.
This is the standard amount that I use on all three of my handgun calibers...
 
Just set it up very lightly & adjust down until it's 'just enough', no more. You test how much with the bullet you are loading.
 
Thx to all. I think I now get the idea. I guess I tend to overthink things sometimes, but when it comes to reloading ammo and not having done a specific task before, I'd rather ask than screw it up. Thx again!
 
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