How Do You Reload Ammunition?
How Is Ammunition Reloaded?
The reloading of ammunition is not a
complicated process but it does take knowledge and experience to
reload safely. The following are common reloading questions and
answers for the reloading beginner. See our
Reloading Page.
What is involved with Reloading Ammunition? How do you
Reload?
The reloading process varies slightly with
each type and caliber of ammo being reloaded. In general the
reloading process consists of - Inspect and Clean Brass, De-prime & Resize Cases, Measure & Trim, De-burr & Chamfer (for
rifle brass), Prime The Cases, Charge the Cases, Seat the Bullet, Crimp the Bullet
Do 9mm Cases Need to be Trimmed?
No. Straight wall pistol cases do not need
to be trimmed. Trimming cases is primarily done on rifle cases.
Repeated shooting and sizing of bottleneck cases will cause the
brass to stretch. Straight walled pistol cases don't stretch in
length or if they do, isn't enough to worry about trimming them.
See Trimming 9mm Cases at bottom of page.
Are 9x19 Cases the Same as 9mm Luger Cases?
Yes. 9X19 = 9mm Luger = 9mm Parabellum = 9x19mm
Parabellum (abbreviated 9mm, 9x19mm or 9x19) cartridge.
Cases identified with the markings, 9x19, is also called the 9mm
Luger or the 9mm Parabellum and is the world's most popular
pistol cartridge.
- 9X19 describes the cartridge by its diameter and length in
millimeters
- 9mm Luger describes the cartridge by the name of it's inventor
Georg Luger
- 9mm Parabellum describes the cartridge by its purpose 9mm for
war (The name Parabellum is derived from the Latin: Si vis
pacem, para bellum ("If you seek peace, prepare for war")
PRIMERS
Can you safely "pop" a primer by shooting
it (primer and empty case) in a gun?
Yes, but use care and under supervision. I shot one in a Glock
19 and it caused a jam because it did not have enough force to
cycle the slide.
Have you ever removed a live primer using
the press? Any danger involved?
Using a press is the proper way to remove a live primer for
reuse or discard. When doing so, wear eye/face protection and
try to keep your face and body as far away as possible from the
primer when operating the press.
Is it OK to stack primer boxes on
one another?
It is not recommended. In theory if one box of primes somehow
ignited it may ignite the primers below it.
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Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011
Subject: Trimming 9mm Cases
Please help me understand: All hand loading sources say it's imperative
to trim 9mm cases to uniform lengths before loading them. In all of my
testing, and use of the 9mm I have discovered that 9mm cases get
shorter(not longer) each time they are fired and reloaded. Please
explain this phenomenon. I have purchased new brass that ranged from
.748 to .743 so, to uniform them I have to trim all to .743 then, by the
time they`re shot and reloaded a dozen times they are .738 which is
shorter than allowed for reliable functioning and safety. So, why would
I want to trim cases that are as short as you want them anyway, knowing
that they are going get even shorter each time I use them. Sure, uniform
lengths are nice for uniform expanding and crimping but this can be
compensated for by using certain expanding dies (Redding or Lyman M) and
certain crimp die/s (Hornady, maybe others).
Larry
Response - Larry,
When I first started reloading 9mm cases I did my research and it showed
that you don't need to trim 9mm luger cases for reloading. Which hand
loading sources are you referring to?
I have reloaded over 8,000 rounds of 9mm WITHOUT EVER trimming one case.
I have only used range pickups for my reloads. They are cases from an
assortment of different manufacturers. I have never had a problem with
my reloads (except one squib) not related to the case I used.
I thought that only cases that are tapered like that of rifle cases
required trimming. 9mm luger cases are straight wall cases and have no
taper. I could be wrong, but it is my understanding that the taper of a
case gives the pressure inside the case something to push longitudinally
against which causes the elongation. Since straight wall cases have no
taper there is no elongation. Don't take my word for it. That's just my
understanding.
As far as 9mm cases getting shorter with each firing. I think I can
provide an explanation.
It is my understanding that when a round is fired the pressure within
the case pushes against the sides of the case (as well as the bottom of
the bullet) causing the sides to expand and the diameter of the case to
increase. If the diameter expands the length has to decrease (the metal
has to come from somewhere).
I just measured the length of three 9mm luger range pickup cases. I then
resized each case in my press and in each case the length increased.
case #1: .7410" before, .7495" after
case #2: .7455" before, .7515" after
case #3: .7445" before, .7505" after
I also measured the diameter of two 9mm luger range pickup cases. I then
resized each case in my press and in each case the diameter decreased.
case #1: .3900" before, .3730"after
case #2: .3840" before, .3735" after
This supports my understanding.
I assume you are measuring the .738 cases before you resize them in your
press? See what they come to after you resize them. Let me know if that
solves your length problem.
Hope that helped.
Best regards,
Tanner
Follow-up Message
Sir,
Thanks a lot. It was very kind of you to take the time and effort to
help me. I should have said "some sources" instead of "all sources".
Lyman 49 says to trim and all articles on 9mm loading that I`ve read in
gun magazines say "do trim". I`m with you, I think trimming is dumb. It
was my impression that it was a must and everyone else was doing it but
me. What sources do you have that shows you don`t have to trim ---
that`s what I`m looking for. I know that 9mm cases are considered
"straight wall" but they actually have some taper to them. Does this
taper have any effects on headspace or reloading or anything? All the
measurements you gave me are true, but I should have mentioned that all
of my case length measurements are taken after resizing. I have found
that 9mm cases shrink about .0005 in length after resizing them after
each firing. Have you ever noticed this? How short can a case be before
it`s too short to use? The experts say cases should be no shorter than
.744 and that any shorter will result in headspace and safety woes. I`ve
loaded 9mm cases that were .732 (after resizing). Am I OK doing this?
I`ve never noticed any performance difference in cases that were .732 or
.748. Like you, I use any 9mm cases I can get and I don`t sort them
either, but the experts say this is taboo. How do you get uniform
expanding and crimping when your case lengths are not uniform? What is
the best powder and charge weight for a +P defense load using a 124 gr.
JHP?
What is your name please? Thanks,
Larry
Response - Larry,
Over the internet and for my website I use the name Tanner Smith (not my
real name). Tanner was my dog's name.
I don't personally know that many people that reload ammo, but from
those that I do know, no one trims their 9mm Luger cases.
I don't know of any official sources that says not to trim, but I have
scanned and attached a few paragraphs from Lee Modern Reloading Manual
(Second Edition).
When I first started reloading my research (mostly from gun forums)
seemed to indicate that trimming 9mm cases was not necessary (from what
I can remember). I do not have specifics to tell you but here are a few
links to forums on this topic (you have probably already read these).
The vast majority seem to be in favor of not trimming 9mm Luger cases.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247420
http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/ammo-can/20244-9mm-reload.html
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-461748.html
I can't answer your technical questions because I don't know the answers
without doing a lot of research.
I also can't answer your questions about powder and charges because I
only reload 115gr. FMJ bullets with Titegroup powder. I only shoot my
reloads at the range and I only would use factory ammo in my gun for
defense. I don't want to mess around with +P loads for reloading.
About the.. MINIMUM LENGTH OF A CASE
Here is the SAAMI spec for 9mm Luger.
http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Pistol/9mm%20Luger%20-%209mm%20Luger%20+P.pdf
The above specs for 9mm Luger cases state .754" - .010" for the case
length dimension. This would agree with your "experts" saying no less
than .744". It would probably NOT BE A GOOD IDEA to load a case that was
not to spec.
I am a little confused. It sounds like some of the new brass that you
purchased was not within specifications.
You stated that "I have purchased new brass that ranged from .748 to
.743".
Are your range pickups this short as well?
I just did another quick check on the length of 10 of my cases, and 9
were .750 or greater, the other one was .749.
It's odd that your cases are so short.
Tanner
Follow-up Message
Tanner,
Man, thanks a lot for all your help. Before I buy any more new brass I`m
going to make sure that they are not short to start with. Yes, the real
short brass I have came from the range. I`m sure they were cases that
were trimmed by folks that didn`t know any better, and as I said, I used
them without any trouble. However, I`m not going to take chances any
more, so I will go through my brass and pitch all the short ones. I did
read on one of the forums you sent where a guy said "9mm cases actually
get shorter over many loadings, so at least I know It`s just not
something dumb that I am doing. If you ever come by any more tips on the
9mm, please pass them on to me. Thanks again
Larry
-------------------------
For primers - order small pistol primers or
large pistol primers?
How can you tell which size? Are there only
two sizes for handgun ammo?
Anything special that I need to know about
ordering 9mm primers.
Are 38 special primers different?
There are brass colored primers and silver
colored primers. Any difference?
Ever force a fired primer out of
a
casing by hand with a punch?
BULLETS
What is best bullet to buy for 9mm?
What is a plated bullet verses full metal
jacket?
Why do you order bullets online rather than
buying them at Space
Coast?
Any need to buy any bullet lube?
POWDER
How many rounds will 1 lb. of powder make?
What powder should I buy?
What is the maximum amount of powder you
are comfortable with keeping at home?
TUMBLER
Ever find any tumble media in the cleaned
cases?
Where do you buy the media?
Any brass polish can be used in tumbler or
brass polish specifically made for it?
CASES
When you pick up brass at the range you
can't tell how many times a case has been reloaded. Do you just
go by the condition of the brass?
Do you ever have to trim cases?
Will I need a case trimmer, case length
gage?
Do you separate your cases by manufacturer?
Does it matter?
Is used brass that you buy online already
cleaned?
MISCELLANEOUS
Small hand held light for looking into the
cases in the press needed?
Verify don't need case trimmers and case
lubrication?
Do all handgun cartridges require a crimp?
Are some rifle cartridges just press fit?
Carbide dies no not require case lube. Why
would someone not use a carbidie die?
Do i need powder solvent as a cleaning
agent for new dies and to clean old ones?
Will I need more than one shell holder in
each caliber size?
How often do you check the powder measure?
Do you clean your dies? How often?
Do you have electronic scales and calipers?
What type of inspection and quality control
program do you use?
Will I need an additional shell holder?
