Glock bulge cases.
- Thread starter Axis II
- Start date
- Status
Not just G's create the bulge. There are other manufacturer's chambers that do not support the rear of the case completely.
Believe there is a die called "bulge buster" available.
Of note, the ONY straight wall pistol case that has failed after reloading, nickel plated that had a bulged case.
Have successfully reloaded brass cases, with bulge, with no issues.
Believe there is a die called "bulge buster" available.
Of note, the ONY straight wall pistol case that has failed after reloading, nickel plated that had a bulged case.
Have successfully reloaded brass cases, with bulge, with no issues.
bbqreloader
Member
The bulge comes from the unsupported barrels in gen 1 possibly gen 2 glock (although I'm sure someone can clarify that) With that being said I run 40 all the time and bought the Lee 40 undersized die, https://leeprecision.com/undersize-sizing-die-40-s-w-10mm.html and that fixed the issues. I was using the bulge buster but was still losing cases when I would case gauge. The undersize die took care of that and maybe 2 outta a couple hundred still wont pass muster. However I am on reload #9 of the cases.
Spare Parts
Member
I "bulge busted" my .40S&W cases by sending them through the crimp die. I use a Lee crimp die on a Loadmaster, don't know about the others. I have a Gen4 Glock, and it doesn't create much of a Bulge - that was early Gen3 and prior (so I've been told). Any range pickups may have the bulge.
Get a .375" oak dowel rod and cut it to about 4". Round off the edges so each end fits in a .40 case. Remove the top of the crimp die so you can see all the way through it. Put a case on each end - one to hold the dowel on the plate, one to be bulge-busted - and press that brass upward through the die. It may help to occasionally lube a case to ease the cases through the die. There is a u-toob video out there.
Check bulge-busted cases for length. Hope this helps.
Get a .375" oak dowel rod and cut it to about 4". Round off the edges so each end fits in a .40 case. Remove the top of the crimp die so you can see all the way through it. Put a case on each end - one to hold the dowel on the plate, one to be bulge-busted - and press that brass upward through the die. It may help to occasionally lube a case to ease the cases through the die. There is a u-toob video out there.
Check bulge-busted cases for length. Hope this helps.
Spare Parts
Member
Good grief. I'm only on reload #2. I fear I already have a lifetime supply of brass.
I've bought a couple thousand rounds of once fired 40 S&W brass. My sizing die was leaving a radius where the sizing ring stopped on some cases. Bought a Lee Undersize Die which made this ring worse. The Lee U-die is supposed to size down further than a regular die. It made such a radius ring that I scrapped the cases. Bought a Redding GR-X carbide push through die and it sized the cases perfectly like the Bulge Buster should. Now out of all my once fired cases I did find 5 or 6 with a huge "guppy belly" and these cases were scrapped. Some of my once fired cases probably 20% were just swelled from oversized chambers and most were not fired from a Glock. The Redding GR-X solved all my issues. I run all 40 brass through the push through die then size normally with my regular sizing die.. My brass fired in Glock and carbine rifle do not show swelled brass. Don't know what guns over expand 40 cases? Wouldn't load 40 S&W without a push through sizer. Don't waste time and money on a Lee U-Die for over expanded 40 brass. It made my once fired worse to the point I scrapped many cases. You do need to carefully examine every once fired 40 cases more than other calibers. Never saw one crack in front of the extractor groove though.
Just for accuracy sake, the die is the Redding G-Rx (Glock Prescription)
This is what I use also. All of the range pickup .40 brass goes through it. I even run once fired LE-training brass, that has run through SIGs, through it. You can easily feed the difference between normal expanded brass and budged brass...I'm getting about 10% budged...when you hit a piece of brass with "guppy belly" you'll definitely feel the stop.
The Lee Bulge Buster is a bit less expensive, but you have to keep two things in mind:
1. You have to add the correct caliber FCD to the kit
2. You have to balance the case atop the pusher with your fingers until it enters the die...the Redding has a retracting sleeve that holds the case as it enters
FROGO207
Member
I just recycle the badly bulged 40 brass as there are so many laying on the ground at the range and so few have that problem.
I did have some 45 ACP brass that was badly bulged and successfully saved it. I also have some 45 Colt dies. So I resized the brass using that die first and resized with the 45 ACP die after. All plunked and none have ruptured despite having had good sized guppy bellies when I scrounged them at the range. YMMMV
Pp
ETA: I bet using a 41MAG sizing die would do the same with a 40 although i do not reload 41.
I did have some 45 ACP brass that was badly bulged and successfully saved it. I also have some 45 Colt dies. So I resized the brass using that die first and resized with the 45 ACP die after. All plunked and none have ruptured despite having had good sized guppy bellies when I scrounged them at the range. YMMMV
Pp
ETA: I bet using a 41MAG sizing die would do the same with a 40 although i do not reload 41.
edwardware
Member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2010
- Messages
- 4,424
No!
If the cases are bulged badly enough that some crack, he should scrap them. Ironing out a small bulge is generally safe; ironing out a bulge so large that the case cracks in a FL die is just asking to ruin the pistol and test your eye protection with a blown case.
FROGO207
Member
Did it actually crack or did the mouth of the die cut it as it was forced up into the smaller diameter hole. By gradually sizing down the area above the web the case seems to be shaped back to normal. Too big a deformation and the die base just rips into the case wall and rolls it down as the case enters the die. That was my observation anyway.
243winxb
Member
+1
Scrap them or return them. Shooting bulged/cracked brass in a plastic gun = trip to emergency room.
35,000 PSI when turned loose , not good.
EDIT/ADD- Some internet photos , as a reminder.
Only takes 1
Last edited:
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,142
I don't have any problems with brass I run through my glocks 9mm, 40, 10, 45, they all case gauge just fine after a trip through a standard size die.
The brass we run in our SMG's gets blown out though and I always make sure to run them though one of my roll sizers before they go through the reloading operation.
If the brass split upon a trip in and out of a standard size die, it was already gone though. Its not like anyone in their right mind would suggest annealing the case head.
Can you post a photo?
The brass we run in our SMG's gets blown out though and I always make sure to run them though one of my roll sizers before they go through the reloading operation.
If the brass split upon a trip in and out of a standard size die, it was already gone though. Its not like anyone in their right mind would suggest annealing the case head.
Can you post a photo?
There is a pretty good ring around the bottom on the side the bulge was on that actually left a sharp edge. I have seen bugle before but nothing like some of these. Also, some of the primers appear to be reloads IMO. They are awfully flat and gold color in I believe federal brass.
Last edited:
I will post a photo later tonight.
He just ordered them and they arrived last night. $76 for 1k 40cal supposedly once fired. If they are indeed junk, I'll tell him return them and if they give him a hard time to call his CC. Its about 90% of the cases that have bulge.
Last edited:
Jmartin440
Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2020
- Messages
- 6
Upon further inspection of the "Cracked Case" it looks as if the die infact rolled or cut into the case. East Coast Shooting Supply is where I got them. Have yet to address issue with ECSS. THANKS for info!! *2k for $76
Last edited:
rfwobbly
Member
How much does 1K of 40 brass weigh ? I no longer shoot 40 and have a pile of brass left over.
375supermag
Member
Hi...
I ran about 1K pieces of .40S&W brass through a Redding G-Rx die about a month ago.
Most have since been reloaded and shot in two different .40S&W handguns (S&W M&P and a Beretta) with no issues.
The Redding G -Rx die works great with little effort. I did spray the brass with Hornady One Shot lube before running them through the die.
The cartridges were reloaded on my Hornady LNL progressive press and it ran flawlessly after using the Redding die.
I ran about 1K pieces of .40S&W brass through a Redding G-Rx die about a month ago.
Most have since been reloaded and shot in two different .40S&W handguns (S&W M&P and a Beretta) with no issues.
The Redding G -Rx die works great with little effort. I did spray the brass with Hornady One Shot lube before running them through the die.
The cartridges were reloaded on my Hornady LNL progressive press and it ran flawlessly after using the Redding die.
Jmartin440
Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2020
- Messages
- 6
My calculator says just under 10pounds
Jmartin440
Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2020
- Messages
- 6
Bulged 40 brass is not worth recovering, scrap them.
Lee's website has a warning that once a case is bulged, it will never be as strong as it was when new, even after the bulge buster.
Buying more equipment and spending extra time passing crappy brass through a separate operation is a waste of time and money.
Lee's website has a warning that once a case is bulged, it will never be as strong as it was when new, even after the bulge buster.
Buying more equipment and spending extra time passing crappy brass through a separate operation is a waste of time and money.
Jmartin440
Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2020
- Messages
- 6
Emailed company with same explanation. Waiting for response
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,142
Is that a crack or brass shavings shoved down the case?
Do you have tools to cross section one?
What size die are you using?
Wet tumbled and squeaky (in the size die) clean?
Do you have any case lube you can apply to see if it solves the problem?
1KPerDay
Member
[australian accent] Thet’s not a balge.... THIS is a balge![/Australian accent]
- Status
Similar threads
