Lee bulge bluster questions

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Xterra282

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I’ve been reloading 9mm for a few months now and am starting to collect some casings that don’t quite fit in my chamber (0.391 or bigger in diameter). I’m using an assortment of my own once fired blazer brass and some range pick up.

I’m reading conflicting information about the Lee bulge buster ( kit number 90487). On go tends I’m reading that this kit works form9mm if you use the 9mm makarov crimp die. But everywhere else. 9mm isn’t listed for use with this kit number.

Am I looking up the wrong part number? Just don’t want to waste my money by buying the kit and a makarov crimpmdie if it’s not going to work
 
I know for a fact that 9mm doesn't work with the kit. Due to the taper of the case.

Never went much further. But if you think the Makarov die will work. Only one way to find out.
 
They have the "Glock smile" on them and wont resize with your resizer die? I'd just chuck them in the scrap bucket and sell them at at scrap yard after you get a decent amount. It's only 9mm brass pretty plentiful.
A lee carbide factory crimp die might be beneficial if you dont have one.
 
I used to bother with the bulge buster when I was running some of the ridiculous 10mm loads you can still find guys blowing up their guns with. I decided just using brass in proper condition and loads that didn't bulge cases was a much better idea. In your case, with 9mm brass being close to free I wouldn't put any more time into something that likely doesn't work. Using brass with any serious deformation near the case web area is asking for trouble that isn't worth it.
 
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simple test

after resizing the brass drop it in a case gauge. if it fall in flush and falls out freely, you do not need it.

9mm brass is sufficiently common that it is not worth the time effort cost to fix the bulge in the case.

if you have a fully loaded ammo that have bulges, you can use the factory crimp die to smooth out the bulge.
 
I have the bulge buster kit for Lee APP, it doesn't work for 9x19 for sure (thinking likely because it is not a straight wall case). I ended up getting a roll sizer...
 
CrazyNut said:
simple test

after resizing the brass drop it in a case gauge. if it fall in flush and falls out freely, you do not need it.

9mm brass is sufficiently common that it is not worth the time effort cost to fix the bulge in the case.

if you have a fully loaded ammo that have bulges, you can use the factory crimp die to smooth out the bulge.
Click to expand...

Inspecting cases one by one takes a lot of time... Best thing to do in my mind is roll sizing...

How can a factory crimp die smooth out the bulge at the bottom of the case?
 
I assume that it would be obvious that if you have a bulge after sizing, it would be at the base of the case and that is what the bulge buster is for and that if you get a bulge after seating the bullet, it would be at the top and that is what the factory crimp die is intended to smooth out.
You should not be running a fully loaded ammo through the bulge buster, simply because that is not the intended use.
 
Xterra282 said:
I’ve been reloading 9mm for a few months now and am starting to collect some casings that don’t quite fit in my chamber (0.391 or bigger in diameter). I’m using an assortment of my own once fired blazer brass and some range pick up.

I’m reading conflicting information about the Lee bulge buster ( kit number 90487). On go tends I’m reading that this kit works form9mm if you use the 9mm makarov crimp die. But everywhere else. 9mm isn’t listed for use with this kit number.

Am I looking up the wrong part number? Just don’t want to waste my money by buying the kit and a makarov crimpmdie if it’s not going to work
Click to expand...

Maybe a dumb question, but do you actually have a bulge? Or is there possibly something wrong with your sizing die? Or more likely, the brass?
 
I use one of those 10x10 aluminum gauge blocks more than a year now. I could easily have 15-20 sometimes up to 30 cases that would stay proud more than 1.5-2 mms before I started using the roll sizer. Now, 99% of the rounds that won’t fully seat into the gauge block are those that have ejector damage on the rim.

Edit: As mentioned, I tried Lee Bulge Buster before with little to no success reducing that 15-20 number down.
 
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