Slimming out bottom-end bulge

[calmex]

I have a S&W Model 3904 and a Glock in the same caliber. Although specifically prohibited in the law here, I was able to register them through the help of connected friends. I cannot buy ammunition and have to reload it, getting my brass from "range pickup" generally. (Army and Police use the correct caliber, often, and do not pick their brass up as well as one might expect.)

I am getting bad bottom-end bulge on my casings. A friend in Canada called it "Glock bulge" and maybe it is, or maybe it's just too-many reloadings. I am using a Dillon Square Deal and I notice that there is some distance between the shell-plate holder and the point to which the sizing die actually sizes the case in the normal correct setup. The Glock has an aftermarket barrel specifically designed for cast lead, and I do not load at the top-end of pressure in this caliber anyway.

I am wondering if there is a brand of resizing die on the market that sizes right down to the extractor groove? I would not care if it was a single-stage press die as I also have a single-stage press and would gladly buy a sizing die (if such a beast existed) that could size my casings right down to the groove to get rid of the "bulge". I would end up with a LOT more usable cases if such a thing were possible. Perhaps someone here knows about this problem and can offer suggestions? Obviously, I cannot simply go out and buy new brass.

I have read the steel dies which require lubricant might size farther down than tungsten-carbide dies, and would not mind lubing (especially with the new spray lubes) to save my casings from extinction either.

Thanks for any suggestions you might have!

 

[brick]

Lee has a "bulge buster" die, you might want to check that out.

 

[blujax01]

My 9mm's tend to be "wasp-waisted" and I load with a 650XL.
I think it's because I load them pretty stout so the brass fills the chamber in my 5906 quite fully when fired.
Honestly, they fit in the gage and my 9 eat's 'em fine so I quit worrying about it.

 

[haggis]

Lee has a "bulge buster" die, you might want to check that out.

There are several push-through dies that completely remove the "Glock bulge". After that they reload as normal.

Buck

 

[calmex]

This is great information. Reminds me of that line by the character Percy Garris in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" where he says; "Well, seeing as I'm desperate and you're exactly what I'm looking for..." .

This "bulge buster" die appears to be exactly what I'm looking for, and I am sort of desperate!

Thanks so much for the imput!

 

[David LaPell]

Our department uses a Glock 21 and I have yet to see a .45 ACP with any bulges in the bottom of those cases in nearly eight years at the range.

 

[SMSgt]

In all the range brass I've collected (and that's nearly 100% of what I reload) I've never found a case with the infamous Glock Bulge. The True Glock Bulge is an outswelling on one side of the base, not all the way around.

It sounds like you need to adjust your sizing die down slightly so that the die barely touches the shell holder when fully seated. I run the same reloaded range brass thru my Glock 30 and 4566 without issues.

 

[Rule3]

We are talking 9mm here yes? The SW will not cause a bulge and neither should a Glock with after market barrel? (or even a factory barrel) So I am more confused than usual.

 

[PH-2]

Calmex,

I run my 10mm brass (shot in a Glock 29) through the Redding "GRx" sizing die before reloading. Mine requires lube-- I use Imperial wax, but there is also a carbide version available. Midway or Brownells are both good sources.
I have re-sized only once, so far, but there were no failures and the brass all looks good.

Mike

 

[jepp2]

The bulge buster is for 40 S&W. The 9mm is a tapered (slightly) case and the concept will not work.

I switched to Lee carbide dies as they size 9mm further down than the Dillon dies. I don't know about non carbide dies, but it would be easier to grind some off of than carbide.

You might also size on a single stage press and reduce the height of the shell holder above where the case head slides into.

 

[358156hp]

The problem actually comes from die manufacturers putting a heavy chamfer on the dies entry area to help with case alignment with progressive presses. The best solution I've found is to hit the gun shows, and look for old carbide sizing dies from either RCBS or Hornady. Check out the carbide insert to see if it's heavily chamfered. If it's not, buy it & size your brass at home on a single stage press. That silly little chamfer on the newer dies can leave a belt around the case just above the extractor groove, and that's probably what you're seeing. I've never seen the need for it in 9mm, since the case is heavily tapered anyway.

 

[calmex]

We are talking 9mm here yes? The SW will not cause a bulge and neither should a Glock with after market barrel? (or even a factory barrel) So I am more confused than usual.

I imagine part of the problem is probably over-reloading the same cases. Also, probably a lot of my brass was fired out of the Uzi or MP-5. I have the dillon adjusted to the max, but it still leaves a bulge. Obviously, the suggestions to size on the single-stage press will really help salvage a lot of brass.

 

[calmex]

The bulge buster is for 40 S&W. The 9mm is a tapered (slightly) case and the concept will not work.

I switched to Lee carbide dies as they size 9mm further down than the Dillon dies. I don't know about non carbide dies, but it would be easier to grind some off of than carbide.

You might also size on a single stage press and reduce the height of the shell holder above where the case head slides into.

I will try both the Lee carbide and a standard die. If the carbide die works it will be faster. If not, I am pretty sure a steel die adjusted all the way down (and perhaps thinning a bit off the top of the shell-holder) will get the trick done. If I could rejuvinate all the bulged brass I have, I'd be well-off for brass. I don't mind doing a little work to do it.

 

[Rule3]

I will try both the Lee carbide and a standard die. If the carbide die works it will be faster. If not, I am pretty sure a steel die adjusted all the way down (and perhaps thinning a bit off the top of the shell-holder) will get the trick done. If I could rejuvinate all the bulged brass I have, I'd be well-off for brass. I don't mind doing a little work to do it.

I use Lee Carbide 4 die sets for just about every handgun caliber and several rifle. There is no problem with resizing any caliber , the 4th die , Factory crimp die, will also iron out any imperfections.

If they will work on a Dillon, I do not know.

With a steel die on 9mm you will need some lube or risk a stuck case or very hard resizing.

 

[dirty gary]

When I worked in a commercial reloading shop we used a case roller. A round head rotates inside a steel sleeve that "rolls" the brass into a perfectly round configuration. The insert head is removable, and different heads are used for different calibers. This was a "must" for 9mm and 40, we also did 380, 38/357, and 45. Never had a problem with rolled brass. Equipment is expensive, but some commercial shops will roll your brass for a small fee.