Case bulge 45 ACP

[BIZERKO666]

Started loading 45 ACP’s and I notice a slight bulge in the case. Any input appreciated. Running Dillon carbide dies on a XL650, bell set right. Running Everglades 230 gr. JHP. Been loading for quite some time and have noticed this happen on 9mm also.

 

[LNK]

Are they passing the plunk test? If so, I don't see a problem. Make sure you flare the case mouth just enough to get the bullet started straight. Lightly taper crimp.

 

[TonyAngel]

Yeah, if they go through a case gauge, they are likely within spec. If they fit into the chamber of you gun and drop out, you're good for at least that gun. I get that all of the time. Nothing to worry about, assuming that you aren't trying something new and haven't changed anything.

 

[BIZERKO666]

Are they passing the plunk test? If so, I don't see a problem. Make sure you flare the case mouth just enough to get the bullet started straight. Lightly taper crimp.

Yep, I can definitely check all those boxes. I’m sure they’re fine, maybe just a little OCD and over thinking this. Never had this happen doing 357’s and 44 mags. Only 45 and 9mm.

 

[Rod47]

No bullet setback with those.

 

[sparkyv]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/case-gauge.865736/#post-11441243

 

[edwardware]

Looks normal. Your sizing die is a bit small, or the bullets are a bit big.

In either case, if it plunks and runs, it's good.

 

[jmorris]

What do they look like after you seat the bullet before you crimp and if you pull one of the bullets, on one of those finished rounds above, what does it look like?

Looks like you might be doing a little swaging during crimp but it might just be the angle of the rounds in the photo.

 

[Catpop]

Maybe look like this .357? I never really did get to bottom of this problem. HR Thread was “Wasp Cases” a number of years ago.
Good luck.

 

[Walkalong]

Looks like the sizer is pretty tight ( I had one like that, replaced it), and it looks like it is way over crimped (although as @jmorris posted, could be the angle).

Since the .45 ACP cases are straight, you could screw the sizer up a little, still gonna have a serious wasp waist, and re-adjust the taper "crimp" to just remove the belling, maybe a hair more, see how those look. But yea, if they plunk, they'll shoot.

Berrys 230 Gr RN

 

[MEHavey]

the sizer is pretty tight

+1 My thought as well.

Not a functional problem save that it gives the brass a little more workout.
(Not that you won't lose the cases before you ever care....)

,

 

[jmorris]

When we run them in SMG’s they get fairly blown out and can look like that after loading.

A roll sizer can put the part of the case that can’t enter a regular size die back in spec though.



Dillon dies do have a generous radius for cases to enter them but it looks a bit high on the OP’s cases.



Why I was wondering what they look like before the crimp station. If they look like this after seating but turn into “coke bottles” after crimp, I’d readjust the crimp die so it just removes the bell/flare. Don’t be surprised if they also get more accurate.



If you pull a bullet, does it look like you swaged it down while crimping it (left)?



If so, you need to back off the crimp. It should look the same as one that hasn’t been seated.

 

[Charlie98]

A roll sizer

Far out! I've never seen one of those!

 

[Lilsnoop]

I have a rollsizer and I found that any range 45acp brass that I pick up and process through it (after being cleaned of course) all needed to be rollsized. I found they were more bulged than the 40 caliber cases. This at least was my experience.

 

[Walkalong]

It's the rare .45 ACP range pick up I have had an issue with.

 

[Master Blaster]

Reduce the crimp they are over crimped a bit.

 

[jmorris]

Far out! I've never seen one of those!

The ones I have are case-pro 100’s.

I automated the one I use most.

 

[BIZERKO666]

Appreciate all the replies. Got a chance to pull a bullet. I can probably back off the crimp a bit.
I was getting .470 at the crimp and .472 around the bullet.
It’s looking like my sizer die may be a little tight. I’ll do a little more measuring and maybe contact Dillon to see if they can do anything. Pictures of the pulled bullet.