A true, full length resizing die?

[Ceapea]

Before you waste any money on anything, try borrowing a set of different sizing dies. NOT HORNADY. The only dies I have ever had problems with were Hornady. I've used RCBS and Redding for around 35 years, without finding any gun they wouldn't function in. I used to own a couple sets of Hornady, .243 and 32 long/327 but I threw away the .243 and hate it every time I have to use the .32's (which I will replace at some point). The 32's are Titanium Nitride and I still have to lube most rounds to keep from sticking cases in the die. Never with carbide RCBS.

I've gotta say, I've not been too impressed with the Hornady dies either. Not that they've been horrible, but I have them in 11 different calibers and at some point, most of them have given me some problems. I.E., De-cap pins getting loose, bending the rod they're on. Hornady has always taken care of it, they have sent me several pins, rods and the little cap that holds them together. Other little things too. I have started buying dies from RCBS and some Lee too. The Lee's that I have were bought for magnum versions of the 38 (357) and 44 die sets I use. Some rifle calibers too.
I am going to run a bunch through my old RCBS steel die...with lube of course. That, and I'm really considering the EGW "reducing" die. I like the results from the one I have in 40 S&W.
It all seems to be a heck of an inconvenience for one pistol! Every other one I have (several in 9mm!) will take anything popped out of those dies.

 

[Ceapea]

IMHO, the LEE Bulge Buster kit and the Makarov FCD is the only way to go especially if you also shoot 45acp &/or 40 S&W...

Cheers!

P.S. I couldn't find a Redding 9mm G-RX anywhere: do they even make one?

P.S.S. Xtreme reprocessed brass is all cleaned, full length sized, pockets inspected, etc. They have a brass credit/exchange service as well, although I've never felt the need.

I just bought some of the Xtreme brass, in 30-30 and 7.62x39 (I have a CZ bolt gun in 7.62x39...SWEEEEET!!!) and it was pretty decent. A few mangled cases in each bag. But they give you a few (2?) extra in each also.

 

[fredj338]

I have this issue with my Springfield 1911/9. it has a very tight match chamber. I pretty much cull all the foreign brand brass. I use an older set of RCBS dies with zero chamfer, sizer touching the shell plate with a bit of cam over. I still get about 1% that won't fit a case gage or my chamber. Those go into a box for my Glocks. A pass thru sizer might help, but not willing to go the extra step, yet.

 

[Ceapea]

I have this issue with my Springfield 1911/9. it has a very tight match chamber. I pretty much cull all the foreign brand brass. I use an older set of RCBS dies with zero chamfer, sizer touching the shell plate with a bit of cam over. I still get about 1% that won't fit a case gage or my chamber. Those go into a box for my Glocks. A pass thru sizer might help, but not willing to go the extra step, yet.

Well, it looks like I am not the only one with the Springfield blues! No, not really blues, just a bit of a challenge is all. As far as a pass thru die goes, I have read (Lee bulge buster kit, [ame]https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Model-LP90487-Buster/dp/B005KW5F3K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493233459&sr=8-1&keywords=9mm+bulge+buster[/ame]) that due to the slight taper of the 9mm case, no real pass thru die exists for 9mm. Which have you seen?

 

[keithherrington]

Most of my brass has been loaded many times. How many? Can't tell you. I just check them after cleaning and process them as needed. I can tell when/if a case splits when resizing it.

Interesting, the bulk "reforming" of used brass. Did you find a place locally? Or did you need to send it out? The price of shipping that much brass could add substantially, to the overall cost.

Thanks.

Before moving to Virginia I lived in Maryland and shot with Neil Kravitz, owner of NSK Sales, PO Box 49 - Boring MD 21020-0049, Tel: 410.833.2100 Fax: 410.833.2101. His website is NSK Sales. He did all of my brass remanufacturing and some of my reloading, mostly 38 Special practice ammo. It's been years since he has done this for me, but contact him and see what he recommends. He's very knowledgeable and may have an easy fix for you.

Keith

 

[keithherrington]

Well, it looks like I am not the only one with the Springfield blues! No, not really blues, just a bit of a challenge is all. As far as a pass thru die goes, I have read (Lee bulge buster kit, Amazon.com : Lee Precision Model LP90487 Bulge Buster Kit : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors) that due to the slight taper of the 9mm case, no real pass thru die exists for 9mm. Which have you seen?

Why don't you reach out to Neil Kravitz at NSK Sales, PO Box 49 - Boring MD 21020-0049, Tel: 410.833.2100 Fax: 410.833.2101 and see what he recommends. He remanufactured all of my 45 ACP brass in the past and I'm pretty certain he did 9mm as well. All except the stuff shot through Glocks.
Keith

 

[Ceapea]

I lubed and sized 200 cases using one of my old steel 9mm die sets. I like to buy old sets (when the price is right...$10-$15 per set) just to have the extra seater die for different bullet profiles.
I probably have a duplicate set, or two, for most of what I load.
Funny thing is, I never considered using the "true" full length sizing dies that I already had. Good thing I kept all the old case lube sprays, and even an old lube pad or two!
Kinda like a throw back to the days when all I used was a SS press, I can run batches of this one step and bag them up to be used later on in the progressive. I am still considering the EGW die...

 

[Ceapea]

Why don't you reach out to Neil Kravitz at NSK Sales, PO Box 49 - Boring MD 21020-0049, Tel: 410.833.2100 Fax: 410.833.2101 and see what he recommends. He remanufactured all of my 45 ACP brass in the past and I'm pretty certain he did 9mm as well. All except the stuff shot through Glocks.
Keith

I may do just that...thanks!

 

[bigedp51]

Reloading dies and chambers vary in size, as an example I have a standard Lee .223 die that will reduce the case diameter more than my RCBS small base die.

A Lee bulge buster is a push through carbide die that will size the base of the case to SAAMI minimums. Meaning your cases do not have to have a "bulge" to use this die. And this die will simply size the case your normal die never touches.

And when you use range pickup brass you always run the chance of picking up cases fired in a larger diameter chamber.

All my range pickup brass is run through a bulge buster for pistol brass and a small base die for rifle brass.

And remember after sizing the case wants to "spring back" to its fired diameter.

I buy bulk once fired Lake City 5.56 and 7.62 brass and all of it is sized first with a small base die. I also pause for 4 seconds at the top of the ram stroke to reduce brass spring back.

NOTE, for once fired 7.62 machine gun brass you can use a .45 acp carbide die as a "bulge buster". And then use a small base die to finish the sizing operation. I was told about this in the CMP forum and the sizing effort is greatly reduced. The .45 acp die is setup as a standard die with a shell holder and is not a push through operation like the bulge buster.

 

[Bayou52]

I had that problem now I use a Lee bulge buster with a 9mm Makrof factory crimp die with the crimp removed. A lot of videos on youtube about this set up.

I would suggest the same thing to the OP. In fact, I use the Lee Bulge Buster die kit routinely for 45 acp. This die is used after the case has been FL sized and has the effect of "uniforming" the brass at the web and the rim where the shell holder prevents insertion into the sizing die.

Since I shoot a lot of range pick-ups, using this die assures that each case will fit smoothly and flush in the case gauge.

Bayou52

 

[LostintheOzone]

Titanium nitride isn't carbide. It's a coating that can wear out pretty fast. I have a set for 9mm and I don't like those dies. They leave a pronounced dark coloration on my cases like the coating is coming off on the cases. I have to lube my cases or the friction on the stroke is like breaking a lug nut on a wheel. Somebody gave me those dies and I'm about to chuck them. Notice that no other die maker uses that coating.

I would just invest in a new set of dies and save yourself a lot of grief. No more Hornady dies for me. They're a bullet company and should stick to bullets.

 

[carpriver]

I only read the first 10 or so posts, but have you tried turning the die in one or two more turns on the turret or plate. I had the same type problem with loading 9mm in a Springfield Armory range officer. Adjusted the die 1 1/2 turns all was right with the world.

 

[Ceapea]

I only read the first 10 or so posts, but have you tried turning the die in one or two more turns on the turret or plate. I had the same type problem with loading 9mm in a Springfield Armory range officer. Adjusted the die 1 1/2 turns all was right with the world.

It is as far down as it will go. It deflects the plate to a stopping point, no further travel downward, on the full upstroke. As it is, that is way more than needed with any other caliber/sizing die.
No, I'll end up with something else. Maybe RCBS, maybe Redding.
Maybe Dillon! I have their 357 Sig die set and it is great!

 

[Ceapea]

As far as bulge busters go, I have only found the Lee buster. And it specifically states not for 9mm.
What are you guys using?

 

[shovelwrench]

If you know a guy with a lathe, you can turn the die down some where it meets the shell holder.....

Sometimes a few .001s will get you where you need to be!!!

If you can't get it done for free (or really cheap), EGW makes really great stuff. I've been using their reloading/gun parts for years!!!!

 

[Ceapea]

I've solved the problem with my EMP. The cases that were sized on the old steel RCBS die worked flawlessly. That, and I did spring for the EGW undersized die. I put 100 hand loads down range today without incident. The Lee/EGW undersized die does take a bit more effort to size the cases. I recently started experimenting with bootlegged case lube. I followed the recipes found online and it works beautifully. From now on, all my 9mm cases will be lubed and run thru the EGW die. Woo-hoo!!
Bye-bye, Hornady 9mm die!!!

 

[pmiya]

As far as bulge busters go, I have only found the Lee buster. And it specifically states not for 9mm.
What are you guys using?

For 9mm Luger use a 9mm Makarov FCD