Lee Bulge Buster

[Jim Watson]

Best I can tell, the Dillon gauges are to minimum chamber dimensions where the Wilsons are to maximum cartridge dimensions. Since a minimum chamber must accept a maximum cartridge and not as a press fit, the Dillon is going to be a smidge larger.
Shockbottles are advertised to be cut with chamber reamers. As are EGW. But the EGW will not pass a round that has even a little bearing surface showing, no semiwadcutters need apply.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Best I can tell, the Dillon gauges are to minimum chamber dimensions where the Wilsons are to maximum cartridge dimensions. Since a minimum chamber must accept a maximum cartridge and not as a press fit, the Dillon is going to be a smidge larger.
Shockbottles are advertised to be cut with chamber reamers. As are EGW. But the EGW will not pass a round that has even a little bearing surface showing, no semiwadcutters need apply.

Good info. For my 45ACP & 9mm, I use both a Hornady and an RCBS case gauge. The hornady is tighter than the rcbs perhaps like Dillon and Wilson?

 

[NMexJim]

Nope, the push pin is hollowed out by design so it pushes on the edge of the rim, not on the primer proper.
View attachment 965631

Yea, but .......

 

[packetloss]

Best I can tell, the Dillon gauges are to minimum chamber dimensions where the Wilsons are to maximum cartridge dimensions. Since a minimum chamber must accept a maximum cartridge and not as a press fit, the Dillon is going to be a smidge larger.
Shockbottles are advertised to be cut with chamber reamers.

I'm pretty sure Dillon gauges are not minimum. For 9mm at least cases that won't gauge in my Shockbottle will gauge in my Dillon gauge. My barrels seem to be slightly more generous than the Dillon gauge.

 

[noylj]

I use the Lee 9mm MAK FCD to bulge bust 9x19 and 9x21 cases. A little lube again helps, but it's not NEEDED.

 

[Fishingted]

I use the Lee 9mm MAK FCD to bulge bust 9x19 and 9x21 cases. A little lube again helps, but it's not NEEDED.

Just got That Die Myself Today

 

[WeekendReloader]

Just got That Die Myself Today

I use a little lube on the cases before pushing through the 9mm Mak die. I found that most of the cases go through fine, but the rim may take a little more pressure on some brass.

 

[Fishingted]

I use a little lube on the cases before pushing through the 9mm Mak die. I found that most of the cases go through fine, but the rim may take a little more pressure on some brass.

Yea Jammed Two Casings Big Time right off the bat in my RCBS pardner press. Had to beat them out Don't know if this is going to work out well; Thinking I may have wasted my Money On this one.

 

[Bayou52]

I use the Lee BB die for 45acp. I only shoot range pick-ups with unknown histories. After sizing, each brass gets put through the BB die.

I view this die as a case “uniforming” die that helps assure reliable cycling. It works well for me...

 

[WeekendReloader]

Yea Jammed Two Casings Big Time right off the bat in my RCBS pardner press. Had to beat them out Don't know if this is going to work out well; Thinking I may have wasted my Money On this one.

I've put many makes of 9mm brass through my 9mm Mak Factory Crimp Die. The only issue is a little more force when the rim hits the carbide ring.

Make sure you are using the 9mm Mak Factory Crimp Die with the bulge buster. Don't use the sizing die.

Also, I had an issue with the bulge buster insert that screws into the top of the FCD die. Sometimes the case mouth would catch the underside of the insert and get caught in there. Then the next case would smash both together and get all jammed up inside the die. This has only happened a few times out of many thousands of cases, but it does happen.

 

[Fishingted]

I've put many makes of 9mm brass through my 9mm Mak Factory Crimp Die. The only issue is a little more force when the rim hits the carbide ring.

Make sure you are using the 9mm Mak Factory Crimp Die with the bulge buster. Don't use the sizing die.

Also, I had an issue with the bulge buster insert that screws into the top of the FCD die. Sometimes the case mouth would catch the underside of the insert and get caught in there. Then the next case would smash both together and get all jammed up inside the die. This has only happened a few times out of many thousands of cases, but it does happen.

Yea I have the crimp die. first case went thru OK. Next 2 Jammed Bad. Afraid to try again. The little RCBS Pardner press may not have power to work it. Don't want to damage the die or the press.

 

[WeekendReloader]

Yea I have the crimp die. first case went thru OK. Next 2 Jammed Bad. Afraid to try again. The little RCBS Pardner press may not have power to work it. Don't want to damage the die or the press.

I use the LEE Challenger Breech Lock press. It's an aluminum O-Frame and it works great.
Some cases are definitely more difficult to push through the first time. I'll put a bunch of pressure on it and it 'Pops' through. The next time goes a lot easier. Be sure to use a case lube.

You should measure a case before and again after to see how much your die is sizing it down. It is not unheard of for a LEE die to be out of spec and be too small.

 

[mpofficer31a]

Has anyone else run their Bulge Buster 180 degrees out?

I started doing it with 357 SIG processing, but now I do it for all my pick up / range brass in 9mm, 357 SIG, 40, 10mm and 45 ACP. I use a 0.339” size Lee Bullet Sizer and Punch (part #: 91517).

I've noticed it's easier to spot weak spots in the brass this way and I find that easier to put the brass through the press this way.

Here's pic of the setup in a Lee Hand Press with a piece of 357 SIG brass:


Here's a pic of the Lee Punch. With the 0.339" punch you can process 380 to 45 ACP brass. It's long enough to clear 10mm too:


Pic of the factory Bulge Buster pusher on the bottom, with the 0.339" punch in the press:


Hope this helps if anyone is interested in doing something similar. Obviously this should not done with anything with a live primer; the Lee punch is solid and could set off a primer if used to push on a live primer.

I use The Hand Press setup on the couch at night while watching TV, I can process and sort about 300-400 pieces before I get annoyed/tired. My reloading bench is in the basement, so doing this keeps my wife happy while I get some brass one step closer...

 

[CQB45ACP]

I just “ran” ~100 45ACP cases through the buster. They didn’t need it since they dropped in and out of gauge easily. But I did it anyway.

What a job. You’d think they’d give only mild resistance, no? They were cleaned and polished, some I lubed.

I redid several to see what the second time was like. Much like the first pass through. I would’ve thought they’d slide through.

 

[WeekendReloader]

I just “ran” ~100 45ACP cases through the buster. They didn’t need it since they dropped in and out of gauge easily. But I did it anyway.

What a job. You’d think they’d give only mild resistance, no? They were cleaned and polished, some I lubed.

I redid several to see what the second time was like. Much like the first pass through. I would’ve thought they’d slide through.

I think the brass case will 'spring back' a bit if pushed through fast. Push the case through slowly and the resistance is a little less the second time through.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I think the brass case will 'spring back' a bit if pushed through fast. Push the case through slowly and the resistance is a little less the second time through.

My explanation was intentionally high level, but fast was not an option...they were mostly sloooow requiring great pressure. Maybe ten slipped through without pressure. All of these cases have been sized, gauged, loaded, shot, resized, gauged, lather rinse repeat more than once.
Maybe (as I read elsewhere here) my factory crimp die is not concentric but I’ve used it crimping many thousands of rounds without problem. I have two dies, I’ll try the other.

 

[WeekendReloader]

My explanation was intentionally high level, but fast was not an option...they were mostly sloooow requiring great pressure. Maybe ten slipped through without pressure. All of these cases have been sized, gauged, loaded, shot, resized, gauged, lather rinse repeat more than once.
Maybe (as I read elsewhere here) my factory crimp die is not concentric but I’ve used it crimping many thousands of rounds without problem. I have two dies, I’ll try the other.

I've found with my die that the first time required a lot of pressure to pass the rim through the carbide ring. After a few firings and more trips through the die, the force required became quite a bit less. I could see right at the rim where it was sizing down. Most go through quite easy now, having been through the die multiple times.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I've found with my die that the first time required a lot of pressure to pass the rim through the carbide ring. After a few firings and more trips through the die, the force required became quite a bit less. I could see right at the rim where it was sizing down. Most go through quite easy now, having been through the die multiple times.

Thanks. You run cases all the way through bulge buster/factory crimp after every shooting? Why? I only do it once when I pickup range brass to ensure no bulge. My 1911s don’t cause it. (I have done a test after I shoot.).

But it’s all academic....because I’ve just used the other die and....IT’S THE DIE!

Seriously, I ran 25 through the other die and some barely had resistance at all. Changed back and there it was again...lots of pressure. (Yep, I checked and both are 45ACP dies and both clean, but not squeaky/dry clean.)

So, how do I check which die is the honest to goodness correct size? If either is.

 

[WeekendReloader]

Thanks. You run cases all the way through bulge buster/factory crimp after every shooting? Why? I only do it once when I pickup range brass to ensure no bulge. My 1911s don’t cause it. (I have done a test after I shoot.).

But it’s all academic....because I’ve just used the other die and....IT’S THE DIE!

Seriously, I ran 25 through the other die and some barely had resistance at all. Changed back and there it was again...lots of pressure. (Yep, I checked and both are 45ACP dies and both clean, but not squeaky/dry clean.)

So, how do I check which die is the honest to goodness correct size? If either is.

I run all my 9mm through the bulge buster every time. I settled on this because I found some brass (IMI in particular) would sometimes form a little ring bulge/wrinkle at the base where the sizing die stopped. This would cause it not to plunk in my case gauge. This was brass shot from my own gun and my friend's gun (neither are glocks). I also had the random case of various brands that would not gauge. Once I started just running them all through the bulge buster before sizing as part of my standard brass prep process, all my issues went away.

How to check the die... Measure some the of cases that went through each of the dies. If they match the dimensions given in the reloading book, that die should be ok. The die that reduces the case below the nominal dimensions given in the reloading book would be suspect in my opinion. It sounds like your 'loose' die experience matches my experience. Some cases take more effort and some slide right through. The 'tight' die sounds like it is a little undersized. I don't have tools other than a basic set of calipers to check inside dimensions and I'm not sure how accurate/repeatable that measurement would be, but you could give it a go and see if you can measure it and detect a difference between the two dies.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I run all my 9mm through the bulge buster every time. I settled on this because I found some brass (IMI in particular) would sometimes form a little ring bulge/wrinkle at the base where the sizing die stopped. This would cause it not to plunk in my case gauge. This was brass shot from my own gun and my friend's gun (neither are glocks). I also had the random case of various brands that would not gauge. Once I started just running them all through the bulge buster before sizing as part of my standard brass prep process, all my issues went away.

How to check the die... Measure some the of cases that went through each of the dies. If they match the dimensions given in the reloading book, that die should be ok. The die that reduces the case below the nominal dimensions given in the reloading book would be suspect in my opinion. It sounds like your 'loose' die experience matches my experience. Some cases take more effort and some slide right through. The 'tight' die sounds like it is a little undersized. I don't have tools other than a basic set of calipers to check inside dimensions and I'm not sure how accurate/repeatable that measurement would be, but you could give it a go and see if you can measure it and detect a difference between the two dies.

Thanks I’ll give it all a try. Was looking at Lee’s site for any info. Might send an email.

Edit: After an initial debulging (as needed) and typical resizing, virtually all my cases plunk in my barrels and two gauges (hornady & rcbs) from there on out. Never have had a non-plunk (new terminology) unless caused by bullet seating or crimping issue.

I too have calipers and measured but to what end—all looked good and same to me. Polished both dies with flitz. No change. Funny that my grandfather was a machinist/instrument maker and I have all his tools and gauges. Wish I knew how to use them now.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Thanks I’ll give it all a try. Was looking at Lee’s site for any info. Might send an email.

Edit: After an initial debulging (as needed) and typical resizing, virtually all my cases plunk in my barrels and two gauges (hornady & rcbs) from there on out. Never have had a non-plunk (new terminology) unless caused by bullet seating or crimping issue.

I too have calipers and measured but to what end—all looked good and same to me. Polished both dies with flitz. No change. Funny that my grandfather was a machinist/instrument maker and I have all his tools and gauges. Wish I knew how to use them now.

Lee says it may be a die .001 tight but still within spec. They told me to send them the tight die body and they’d try to find a larger one. That’s what I’ll do.

 

[MFInc]

Great info guys, thanks for sharing. I'm getting the LBB for my glock fired 40S+W cases that wouldn't plunk in my barrel after sizing(RCBS carbide).It actually did change the size on some. All of my 9mm cases fired out of the AR9 plunking after sizing in an rcbs die. I do have some range 9mm cases that are bulged, but not enough to worry atm. But looks like I'll need the 9mm mak die for those. Thanks again.

 

[WeekendReloader]

Just to clarify to everyone...
I'm not using the bulge buster to save brass that has a big bulge at the base like a pregnant guppy. I toss those cases into the recycle jar because I feel that the brass in that area has been overstressed. I use the bulge buster to bring normal/reasonable looking range brass back into spec so it glides through the reloading process and through my chambers.

I've seen videos on YouTube where guys are reloading that guppy belly bulge brass. I just don't feel comfortable doing that, especially since 9mm brass is so easy to come by on the ground.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Got my 9mm Mak FCD today. Now I can correct a problem I never knew I had till I read what you all said

 

[CQB45ACP]

Lee says it may be a die .001 tight but still within spec. They told me to send them the tight die body and they’d try to find a larger one. That’s what I’ll do.

I sent the tight die back today.