help on 9mm reloading

[bshahan]

hi! my name is bobby, i have quite a few years of reloading experience, but with 9mm ammo i always have a big problem, i use a carbide resizer die (all are rcbs) i use the bevel die just big enough for the bullet to fit, but when i use the bullet seat die, there is always a big bulge on the case preventing the reloads from chambering mostly in pistols, the work fine in my 9mm carbine. alyone know what the problem might be?? i have reloaded many calibers of bullets and never had this happen on anything but the 9mm. any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bheadboy]

it sounds to me like the sizind die is too tight and the seating die expands the case out to get the bullet seated. the result is a bulge where the base of the bullet presses on the over sized brass.

I would suggest sending the sizind die to the mfg and ask them to check it out. next alternative borrow a set of dies and reload - i think you will find the problem is your dies, the sizer.

I use rcbs carbide dies and have no such problems but that does no mean youdont have an overly tight size die

Bob

 

[VWguy]

all you need is a lyman taper crimp die. I use one on any semiauto shells. it irons out the lumps like a second sizing die and they are cheap.

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

I noticed a bulge in the case when I started loading 9mm, as well. I am loading 115 gr FMJ bullets from Precision Delta and could see where the base of the bullet was expanding the case. I happen to be using the Lee FCD which resizes the case after bullet insertion should it be oversized. With that combination I haven't had any difficulty with my rounds chambering.

 

[MrMajestic]

You are really vague with your component information to make an accurate suggestion on resolution. What case and bullet diameters? What do the fired cases measure from both of your firearms that you are firing like cartridge cases in? Like VWguy stated the Lee Factory Crimp die will ensure that the finished round will chamber by using a Carbide ring at the bottom of the die. Measure your expander plug also, it should expand the sized brass to something, but not too much, under bullet diameter. Handgun cartridges that headspace on the case mouth require tension from the case without crimp to secure the bullet so your sized and expanded case diameter is critical. Throw in cases of different manufacturers and dimensions and its a wonder you can assemble operative rounds at all!

 

[CJ6]

My .02 Case/Die misalignment on sizing station. Put a case in the shellholder, Raise the ram, Install the sizing die, This will help with your misalignment (if this is the cause). Redding/Hornady/Sierra ALL have excellent instructions on Die/Press setups if you look in the books.

 

[bshahan]

thanks! you have all given me enough to work with, i'll try the lyman die sounds like that would be my best bet. not all of the rounds do this, but many of them do. i thought about taking out the decapper on the re sizing die and just resizing the loaded round, but was kind of hesitant about doing it. but i really appreciate your help!

 

[noelfr]

I ran into the same problem and finally figured it out. When glocks fire their brass is not fully supported at rear of case. This leads to that unsightly glock bulge. There are remedies from various mfg. I used a Lee die to retro tune my brass. Problem went away. I had a 40s&w die that was built to handle that specific problem that I used on my progressive press. I no longer compete w/ pistols so this is no longer a problem for me.

 

[2506]

I would suggest a Lee Factory Crimp Die. It is a taper crimp die that sizes the case neck/bulge out to factory dimensions. It has improved the function to zero malfunctions on every caliber I have used one one.

 

[Dave2]

Lots of good suggestions, but I had a different problem than anyone has mentioned so far. After some trial and error, I found that the expander that I was using when I just barely flared the case mouth for bullet seating was also expanding the case much farther down towards the case head. The case was too fat beneath the bullet after seating. I didn't think that was possible, but it happened to me. If nothing else works for you, it may be worth looking into.

Dave

 

[fdshuster]

A lot of 9mm brass has a lot of thickening taper from the mouth down to the case head area, so it's "normal" to have a case that is bulged. And the deeper the bullet is seated the more pronounced will be the bulge. I have a similar problem with 380 also, but no chambering problems with either.

 

[MolonLabe7]

I have the same prob on my 9mm cases, using Lee dies. Are y'all saying this is cosmetic ONLY, & does not effect function? If cosmetic only, I'll not worry about it! Thanks for your input!

 

[JMayo]

Use a case checker every round it'll tell you where the bullet is too big.
Bullet lean, crimp bulge or glock bulge

 

[DirtySteve]

I would suggest a Lee Factory Crimp Die. It is a taper crimp die that sizes the case neck/bulge out to factory dimensions. It has improved the function to zero malfunctions on every caliber I have used one one.

THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[nakneker]

Lee factory crimp die, taper crimp. Been loading a Lot of 9mm lately and that die and a good case gauge was really helpful. I ended up using a sizing die from Mighty Armory by the way, it doesn’t do anything special but it’s made extremely well and a pleasure to use. Definitely feel the difference between it and other sizing dies I’ve tried. That factory taper crimp die made a huge difference though, case gauge told the story. If you don’t have a case gauge you can pull the barrel out of your pistol and use it too, are gauge is the way to go though.

 

[wedgy]

Or the Lee Bulge Buster Kit;

https://www.natchezss.com/lee-bulge-buster-kit.html

 

[Hohn]

I would suggest a Lee Factory Crimp Die. It is a taper crimp die that sizes the case neck/bulge out to factory dimensions. It has improved the function to zero malfunctions on every caliber I have used one one.

+1. I use the Lee 4 die set. Works great and it’s cheap.

 

[D-4297]

Teaching a Lady-friend shooter to load , and she pointed out that the rounds had a "figure" ( in her words ) like Jane Mansfield . Picked a couple up and looked . Yep ! They had a nice "figure", alright . Checked them with a caliper , and the diameter at the bullet was .378 . At the base was .378 . In the middle was .376 ..But the most important part was loading a magazine , and cycling 15 rounds through the gun manually . Smooth as BUTTA ! Sometimes we over-think the visual . Because they shot rapid-fire the same . BUTTA !

 

[PigButtons]

Like others have said, "Not enough info on your components", to make a call IMO. The bulge buster kit that wedgy recommends takes care of a group of problems that can happen to semi-auto brass.

Whatever you do DON'T try and size a loaded round. With the bullet seated you will get that Loaded round stuck in the die since the die over compresses the flexible brass to allow it to spring back or be pushed back by the mandrel to spec. The bullet won't compress and you'll be in trouble.

Have you measured the bullets to ensure proper dimensions. .001 oversize can be enough to cause the problem you have. I had to get a Lee bullet sizing die because the manufacturer whose bullets I bought 2k of sized them .001 too large and it caused exactly what you have. Once pushed through the sizer and poof! no more problem.

I had a similar problem with an antique 22K Hornet that had an original bore that required a .223 bullet instead of the modern bore that takes a .224 bullet. Drove me nuts with overpressure signs until I had a custom Lee .223 sizer made. Now, no more pressure problems.

 

[MolonLabe7]

Or the Lee Bulge Buster Kit;

https://www.natchezss.com/lee-bulge-buster-kit.htmlhat link is NOT for 9mm Luger!

Or the Lee Bulge Buster Kit;

https://www.natchezss.com/lee-bulge-buster-kit.html

That link is NOT for 9mm Luger though!