How big of a problem is bulging brass?

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gofastman

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I was looking at some of the brass from the Federal HST 147gr +P rounds I was shooting and they have some pretty good bulges in the sides, ("smileys" if you will)
Anyway, how big of a problem is it? is it a safety issue? can it damage the gun?
 
What are you shooting them in? Bulges may be a sign of a dangerously unsupported chamber, which could lead to a kaBoom! I would suggest laying off the +p stuff until you figure out what's causing them.
 
Taurus PT709

It does look like its lacking in the chamber support department.
Some have said this gun isn't rated for +P, but the manual says the loads shouldn't exceed 124grs moving at 1225 FPS, thats as fast as any of the +P stuff I have seen by the major manufacturers. :confused:
 
I see a lot of bulged brass. I reload most of it after full-length resizing. Some of it looks like it's been through a Glock or something. It still resizes well though.

I feel that new cartridges aren't a concern. It's only bulged once! Repeated bulging could weaken the case, though.

This consists mainly of my opinion. Okay, entirely my opinion.

Jeff
 
Velocity isn't always an accurate indicator of pressure. Remember, they're simply trying to hit a certain velocity under a certain pressure the cheapest way they can. So using a powder that may not be the best burn rate (but will give higher velocity out of short barrels) will hit that pressure cap faster than a slow burning powder. If it's not rated for +p (and I'd be real wary of using +p in a compact pistol), then yes, those bulges are an early warning sign. Ignore at thine own peril.

My primary concern here is if the gun isn't rated for +p, then the excessive battering from the heavier rounds will cause premature wear and possibly failure in the gun itself.
 
another thing I found looking at some of my recovered cases, the aluminum-cased CCI shot shells look a little bulged too.



(they cycle perfectly in this gun too, BTW)
 
Gofastman,

that's correct. If they're "really" bulged, I won't reload them, but most of them just need to be re-sized.

I just (finally) got some CCI snake loads for my 686, but as it's a revolver, I'm not surprised they'll "cycle". But then, cycling consists of either pulling the trigger on the next one, or opening the cylinder and ejecting them! I always wondered if they'd cycle my nines or .45.

Jeff
 
I can reach my hand in a 5 gallon bucket of once fired .40 brass and can tell without fail (aside from primer strikes) which were shot from Glocks and which were shot from M&P's. Never a problem yet but when I reload I'll start with the M&P and use the Glock brass for a SHTF situation, to sell or recycle.
 
I have a T709 and was initially frightened at the slightly bulged brass. I inspect spent brass from every new gun I buy. The gun does seem to allow brass to bulge more than my other guns (even my glocks), and the chamber does seem a little loose, not much though. It has given my wife one FTE before, but she likely limp wristed it.

I wouldn't be too concerned unless you start seeing cracked cases. Slightly bulged cases may mean its more likely to give a FTE, but I wouldn't worry about a kaboom unless using some +P+ or something really hot.
 
Almost all autoloading pistols bulge the brass a little. There is always a small unsupported area just above the feed ramp, necessary for the round to feed. It might cause issues with resizing the brass for reloading, but is not dangerous in and of itself. How much bulging are we talking about? Perhaps the problem is not as severe as you perceive it to be. Can you post a picture of the fired brass?
 
HST +P on the right
CCI shot shell (aluminum) on the left
 

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gofastman said,

"but the manual says the loads shouldn't exceed 124grs moving at 1225 FPS"
How does that apply to 147+P you are shooting??
 
That's more bulging than I get out of my 709. I assume the cci is standard pressure. If so that is some pretty hefty bulging for a standard pressure load. You might want to have the specs on the barrel chamber checked out.
 
That's more than I see from my semi autos. But I've been wondering about the need of the bulge busters. But I also tend not to push my rounds towards the high end. For paper and accuracy I just work on my patterns when shooting when I find the right combo I stick with it. I will load about 10% hot and another 10% soft the rest just shoot real nice.
 
Guys...Could the gun be unlocking too soon?

Gofastman...THAT is bulging to say the least...What exactly is the load you are using. Case, powder, primer and bullet.
 
I dont care about reloading the stuff (yet)
I just dont want to blow my hand off!
 
Sadly, I find the people here to often be more helpful than customer service reps, of companies I won't mention.

But, I agree, send the pictures to Taurus with an explanation and see what they say. Also, let us know their response if you would.
 
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