9 mm case bulge

Bushbasher

Bushbasher

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I did a batch of 9 mm with 124 grain XMetal bullets on a Dillon square deal and I tried running them today and nothing would chamber properly I have ran tons of 9 mm on my Dillon before and never had this issue the cases have a slight bulge near the base
Any ideas on how I ca rectify this and fix the rounds?
Thanks
 
1) How did you determine the OAL with that new bullet? Plunk and spin test? (https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=34225.msg189131#msg189131)

2) Did they pass in your case gauge?

3) Does you sizing die kiss the shellplate?

4) Are the bullets being seated crooked? Are you using the correct seating stem for the bullet profile?

5) What is your crimp measurement at the case mouth?

6) Is your brass range pickup?
 
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Lee Bulge Buster. I believe you must use the crimp die for 9mm Makarov not 9mm Luger.

If it has the Glock smile on the case, this method is not recommended.
 
There was another recent thread that indicated that the coated XMetal bullets need more case flare than with other bullets. If your bullets are being pushed into a case without enough flare, it could be distorting the case.
 
I use range pick up brass in 9mm. Sometimes a case would not chamber. After I installed the Lee Factory Crimp die in the last die position, the sizing ring on it smooths out the odd bulgy case. No more problems.
 
Pr589 said:
There was another recent thread that indicated that the coated XMetal bullets need more case flare than with other bullets. If your bullets are being pushed into a case without enough flare, it could be distorting the case.
Click to expand...

This here, seen this happen with at least 3 fellow shooters.
Open the flare for xmetal or any other plastic coated lead bullets.
 
MartyK2500 said:
This here, seen this happen with at least 3 fellow shooters.
Open the flare for xmetal or any other plastic coated lead bullets.
Click to expand...

OP, if this is the cause of your issue you should be able to see that you're shaving the coating off the bullet.

20160608-165259-HDR-zps3jkcxrg2.jpg
 
Bushbasher said:
I’ll order one up tomorrow I have one for my 38
Click to expand...

lol, don't fix the problem, just throw another die at it!

I'm not saying the Lee die can't be useful (I guess) but I've never used one and have always been able to fix any issues that arise.
 
4n2t0 said:
OP, if this is the cause of your issue you should be able to see that you're shaving the coating off the bullet.

20160608-165259-HDR-zps3jkcxrg2.jpg
Click to expand...

4n2t0 said:
lol, don't fix the problem, just throw another die at it!

I'm not saying the Lee die can't be useful (I guess) but I've never used one and have always been able to fix any issues that arise.
Click to expand...

Simple solution; use copper plated bullets. I use the Lee dies; I have tried Xmetal bullets in both .45 acp and and 40 S & W. Despite bottoming the sizing die against the shell holder, I had similar results to what you are seeing in my .45 loads; not quite as bad in the 40 S & W; but more feeding issues. These bullets are crap. Bought twice, bad experiences both times. BTW, many of mine were out of round or a bit over sized as well.
 
4n2t0 said:
1) How did you determine the OAL with that new bullet? Plunk and spin test? (https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=34225.msg189131#msg189131)

2) Did they pass in your case gauge?

3) Does you sizing die kiss the shellplate?

4) Are the bullets being seated crooked? Are you using the correct seating stem for the bullet profile?

5) What is your crimp measurement at the case mouth?

6) Is your brass range pickup?
Click to expand...

And these are just some of the reasons I don't reload! LOL
 
Meroh said:
Simple solution; use copper plated bullets. I use the Lee dies; I have tried Xmetal bullets in both .45 acp and and 40 S & W. Despite bottoming the sizing die against the shell holder, I had similar results to what you are seeing in my .45 loads; not quite as bad in the 40 S & W; but more feeding issues. These bullets are crap. Bought twice, bad experiences both times. BTW, many of mine were out of round or a bit over sized as well.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure why you replied to me but like I told you in your Xmetal bashing thread, I do/have loaded Xmetal bullets in 9mm and .38 special without any issues whatsoever. Clearly your experience differs from mine but many people load these bullets without the issues you had which to me points towards a potential flaw in your process (at least when it comes to coated bullets). My only gripe with Xmetal bullets is that in my area they cost more than a plated CamPro which is kinda backwards.
 
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Since you are reloading on a Dillon Square deal press, the dies supplied with the press are proprietary to it. That means Dillon uses a different thread pitch than standard LEE dies. And therefore, will not fit in the toolhead.

Many times reloaded 9mm brass can begin to see the brass walls swaged down towards the base sometimes creating a bulge or ring similar to the base ring on a belted magnum rifle case. This ring or bugle will eventually prevent this loaded case to chamber.

Some 9mm carbide dies are prone to promote this process. A bulge-buster die might fix this but employing the same sizing die recreates this problem, and repeated use of both will only make the case weak. I think the cheapest fix, keeping in mind the "economy of motion" principle, would be to buy a new sizer from Dillon.
 
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