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About 3 weeks ago I was loading some 9mm. I sort my brass by headstamp because there are some brass that is too soft to reliably reload and then there is something called a stepped case. The stepped cases can be reloaded but the bottom half of the case is about 4 to 5 times as thick as the top rim.
This step causes two problems. It reduces the volume of the case so that the load for a normal case causes pressure way beyond what 9mm can handle. Most of the time it will not kaboom the gun but it has happened. What usually happens a reloader who does not sort cases loads it up like normal. He goes to shoot and it goes pow, pow, POW and the next bullet will not go into battery. The round that was overpressure has blown the case apart right at the step and it has fire-formed itself to the bottom of your chamber.
I had found 2 of the Ammoland stepped brass cases mixed in with the brass I swept up from my previous trip to the range but, I missed one. Just to add some de-cap dies will choke on the stepped brass but other brands can process it. The brand of dies I have will not process it. So on my down stroke of the press I feel a lot of resistance so I stop and attempt to back it off. It is jammed. So I give it a little more muscle and it breaks free. My case is stuck in the die. No matter what I do I cannot get it out. The die manufacturer charges $5 for stuck case removal. I got an RMA and sent it back. RCBS sent me a new die with the spring loaded decaper and did not charge me the removal fee.
I get it back yesterday. I have it in my press and I have got it set up and I go to load some ammo. My press does not auto-index and I have to manually turn the turret. The first two are no problem but the third turn it is very stiff and the case wobbles around in the case holder. The next three are fine and I come back around to the one that was stiff and it is just as stiff as the first time.
I took everything apart and started measuring everything. My shell plater holder has warped. I called Dillon and they gave me an RMA for a new shellplate. This will keep me from reloading my range 9mm cases for another couple of weeks and I will have to dip into the reserves.
____________________
Tony
NE ATL
'04 XLT regular cab 3.slo stepside
Semi retirement