45acp Case Life Longevity Test Update (non-scientific)

[CQB45ACP]

Lee makes a kit https://leeprecision.com/bulge-buster-kit. Believe redding makes a specific die, but pricy

However, after realizing what was going on, took a lyman carbide die and rolled over the leading edge towards the inside so it would size further down the case. Also shaved some off the shell holder so now any "bulging" gets sized out and the cases don't shorten. Am using single stage press. Have a preference for Win 45 acp brass, but have not bought any new brass for awhile.

It is simply astonishing what happens when you question some conventional wisdom, actually look, start questioning, experimenting and measuring.

Before that article have never seen or heard of a primer pocket getting shorter, but can't automatically discount it just because of never experiencing it.

Oh okay. Yes, bulge buster--taking the innerds out of an FCD and running the case or round through. Have one but haven’t needed it since I started using Redding’s competition seater couple years ago. That’s not exactly the only reason. Redding’s bulge buster is just 40 S&W, no?

Yours is an interesting fix which is beyond my capabilities.

Edit: you’re saying run cases through and it stops shortening?

 

[zeke]

Oh okay. Yes, bulge buster--taking the innerds out of an FCD and running the case or round through. Have one but haven’t needed it since I started using Redding’s competition seater couple years ago. That’s not exactly the only reason. Redding’s bulge buster is just 40 S&W, no?

Yours is an interesting fix which is beyond my capabilities.

Edit: you’re saying run cases through and it stops shortening?

You're right, the Redding is only for .40, 357 sig and 10 mm. Only tools needed for modifying the sizing die and shell holder were a hammer (light touch) and file. And a willingness to experiment on the die. Shaving down the top of a shell holder is fairly common. Have not done a series of measurements on the cases, but there is no more apparent bulging at base of the case body using the modified Lyman die. To truly determine the extent of effectiveness, would have to start with brand new cases, shoot them enough and resize them with standard die to produce the bulge, while comparing them to another set of cases that were sized with the lyman die. Am old, and not willing to spend my limited time or energy.

Am another believer in Redding comp seaters, even though the pistol versions are not as good as the rifle versions. Found they keep the pistol bullets mostly concentric when using techniques to increase case neck tension. Please realize that a lot of my info is dated, as have not bought any dies lately, and everything is qualified by "if memory holds"

 

[zeke]

Well, never to old to learn. Pulled some of the mentioned old range brass and looked at the rim carefully in front of a bright light. The outside dia is indeed peened over.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Well, never to old to learn. Pulled some of the mentioned old range brass and looked at the rim carefully in front of a bright light. The outside dia is indeed peened over.

Not sure I’d know what to look for.

 

[CQB45ACP]

You're right, the Redding is only for .40, 357 sig and 10 mm. Only tools needed for modifying the sizing die and shell holder were a hammer (light touch) and file. And a willingness to experiment on the die. Shaving down the top of a shell holder is fairly common. Have not done a series of measurements on the cases, but there is no more apparent bulging at base of the case body using the modified Lyman die. To truly determine the extent of effectiveness, would have to start with brand new cases, shoot them enough and resize them with standard die to produce the bulge, while comparing them to another set of cases that were sized with the lyman die. Am old, and not willing to spend my limited time or energy.

Am another believer in Redding comp seaters, even though the pistol versions are not as good as the rifle versions. Found they keep the pistol bullets mostly concentric when using techniques to increase case neck tension. Please realize that a lot of my info is dated, as have not bought any dies lately, and everything is qualified by "if memory holds"

I am NOT starting yet another experiment

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Not sure I’d know what to look for.

Warped rims, bent rims, deeper than typical extraction and ejection marks, cone-shaped primer pockets, off-center base… lots of things that will eventually cause a FTF/E.

 

[Soonerpesek]

I am NOT starting yet another experiment

Horse-hockey..........!!!
You'll get bored soon enough................................................