Dangerous to run loaded rounds through sizer?

I have to do it once in a while and I haven't had any problems. It's extra work so I don't try to make it a habit.

You'd probably do better getting a Lee 9x19 FCD. It has a sizing ring sized larger than the ring in a sizing die for ironing out small problems with the case.

Running a loaded case all the way into a sizer die will over resize the bullet and you will loose neck tension as you have found. Not a good thing.

In the days before the FCD and when I was still shooting max 357 Magnum loads, I would sometimes over crimp a case causing a bulge at the crimp that would prevent chambering.

I'd run the cartridge a little way up in a sizing die to iron out the bulge but only enough to iron out the bulge.

Use a trim die instead. It does not squeeze the round as tight as running it through the resizer. It should not effect the bullet seating like a resizer would. You will need an extended shell holder. I use one for a .45 auto when I have the same issue.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/559646/redding-trim-die-9mm-luger
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/79...hellholder-13e-38-super-9mm-luger-9mm-makarov

cfullgraf said:

You'd probably do better getting a Lee 9x19 FCD. It has a sizing ring sized larger than the ring in a sizing die for ironing out small problems with the case.

Running a loaded case all the way into a sizer die will over resize the bullet and you will loose neck tension as you have found. Not a good thing.

In the days before the FCD and when I was still shooting max 357 Magnum loads, I would sometimes over crimp a case causing a bulge at the crimp that would prevent chambering.

I'd run the cartridge a little way up in a sizing die to iron out the bulge but only enough to iron out the bulge.

Click to expand...

This is the answer

Bad idea to run them through the sizer? no, probably wont hurt anything

Bad idea to shoot after? yes, very bad idea. you can pull the bullet out by hand, your neck tension is gone. that is a kaboom waiting to happen.


It will squeeze the bullet down in size, it's only chance at being safely shot again is by being tossed in the scrap pile to be later cast into a new bullet. On occasion I will pull ammo this way if there is enough to make it worth the effort of pulling the decap pin. its a very fast and easy way to pull bullets and resize cases at the same time.

As mentioned the Lee Factory Crimp Die has a max diameter carbide sizing ring that reduces any bulges out of a case during crimping to maximum SAAMI case diameter. Using the Lee Factory Crimp die takes care of problems that can occur if your cases get bulged during bullet seating. This die would be best to use to take care of cases that are oversize after loading.

The sizing die for reloading reduces the case size to a minimum size, the ID is smaller and the expanding belling die opens the ID to the correct size to accept the bullet.

Like already said, if there is improper or no neck tension you should not shoot them. I know it's a lot of work but I think you already know you should take them apart and load them properly.

You ruined that bullet.

You could do what these guys say with the LFCD or you could just live with a little bulge and have good ammo with good neck tension. Just because it doesn't plunk doesn't mean it won't work. I shoot all my stuff that doesn't plunk. But I wouldn't use it in competition. The only risk is that it will stick your chamber and you will not have a gun to use for that stage until you clear it.

Seems like there's also an issue with sizing the bullet down to a diameter where it no longer engages the rifling as it should.

The advice to use a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die should come with a word of caution: if you're using cast or plated bullets it will also resize the bullet...not a great thing for accuracy. It probably will be safe, but the optimum diameter will be lost.

Dangerous to run loaded rounds through sizer?

It seems I have a batch of 9mm that didn’t size properly.

Click to expand...

When did you decide the case did not get sized properly? If the bullet did not require an expander before seating the bullet in the seating die; the case was not properly sized.

If after seating the bullet the case failed the plunk test I would think there is something wrong with your crimping methods or the bullet expanded the case when seated.

I have 2 45 ACPs that like factory, new over the counter, or military surplus ammo. They do not like my reloads, a reloader informed me I did not know how to load for the 1911 45 ACP. Not a problem, he was going to load a batch for me. I met him at the range. His ammo flew through 4 of his 1911s and 5 other 45 ACP at the range; but his ammo did not look like new, factory ammo. Anyhow, I do not live that far from the range so I went home and sized his reloads in one of my presses with a RCBS carbide full length sizing die. I returned to the range and sure enough, his reloads flew through my 45s.

I only sized enough of the case to remove the bullet line. If my 45 ACP ammo looks like a snake that swallowed something 2 of my 45s will turn a day at the range into a work out.

F. Guffey

Lee FCD. Some people hate them, I never had an issue with them and use them all the time.