New Lee Bulge Buster Die Kit

[LiveLife]

Lee Precision is releasing a new kit to "push through" size bulged cases like the Redding G-RX using Lee Factory Crimp Die (FCD) - Kit does not come with FCD and they are $15 from MidwayUSA http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#Lee factory crimp die____-_1-2-4_8-16.

The $19.98 kit comes in 380ACP, 40S&W, 10mm, 41AE, 45ACP, 45GAP, 45WinMag and Lee is working on a different die for 9mm since it is a tapered case and cannot be pushed through the FCD.

Email reply I got today with pdf attachments:
View attachment 114782
View attachment 114783

"John Lee" <[email protected]>
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 10:02 AM

Your forum comments are very timely. I have attached a copy of the ad that will appear in your favorite shooting sports magazine. I have also included the instructions that will answer any questions on operation.

Thanks for sharing the pertinent forum information with us.

Sincerely

John Lee, President

Disclaimer: I do not work for Lee Precision or have any affiliation - Just a happy long-time customer.

View attachment 114780 View attachment 114781

 

[ReloaderFred]

They've always had one. It's called the Lee Carbide Crimp Die. You just take out the guts and run your lubed rimless brass through the die with a sizer die ram.

Magma has also had the Case Master Jr., which is what I use, but it's a lot more money, and works on a dedicated arbor press.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[LiveLife]

ReloaderFred:

They've always had one. It's called the Lee Carbide Crimp Die.

Yes, this kit uses the FCD. The kit includes a push through punch (arrow in the picture) that pushes the case through the Factory Crimp Die to fully size down to the base of the case, eliminating any bulge normal sizing cannot take out (does same thing as the Redding G-RX die). The fully sized case is pushed up through the extension sleeve and into the catch container.

View attachment 114785

 

[MMCSRET]

Redding has a similar unit out now too, its on their site.

 

[SSN Vet]

I wonder if I could take the push though punch from my Lee bullet sizer and push them through my disassembled FCD. The extension looks like it's only pupose is to mate the FCD to to the plastic tub (which looks just like the one for the bullet sizer dies as well).

But then again...

I load and shoot range pick-up mixed head stamp 9mm luger brass, that has got to have some glocked brass in there. But have yet to have a problem, or see a case that looks like they're illustrating.

Simple enough though... and relatively cheap (assuming you already bought the 4 die deluxe pistol set)

 

[Sam1911]

Intreaguing. I've heard about bulged brass for years but never experienced it.

I shoot almost nothing but range pick-up brass. Loading .45 for ... a LONG time, and 9mm for the last 6 months, I've never had a case that went through the standard sizing die and the FCD (in station 4 on my 550) that wouldn't chamber in my 1911 or now in my 9mm xDM.

And i know for a fact that a great deal of the brass I use was once digested by Glocks.

What set of phenomena combine to make this a problem? Have I completely missed the issue at hand?

Thanks!

-Sam

 

[Jon_Snow]

My understanding is that it is most common in 40 S&W, since that is a higher pressure round than either 9mm or 45.

 

[Walkalong]

The pressure in and of its self is not the problem. Poor case head support combined with the pressure causes the bulges.

 

[Sam1911]

So this just doesn't happen to 9mm cases?

-Sam

 

[atblis]

Hmm

It does not seem to be a problem with 9mm.

Part of the reason that some people have problems and others not has to do with variations in loading equipment and guns. If I reload Glocked 10mm brass for my 10mm Glock with the factory barrel, no problems. The Glocked 10mm brass however will not chamber reliably in the LWD barrel. The chamber is a tad too tight IMO. This is using Lee dies. Lee dies tend to do a better job of resizing the bottom of the case than some other brands.

Also, I've found using the Lee FCD as a push through does not resize the brass any better than the regular old Lee sizing die. My calipers cannot discern any difference.

So basically, if your using Glocked brass in a gun that doesn't have a tight chamber, and are using resizing dies (like Lee) that do a good job of sizing the base, you may never have a problem.

My <1 year old 3rd Gen Glock 20 certainly bulges the brass. I've seen some 10mm brass out of older Glocks that was down right scary.

 

[LiveLife]

I posed the question to Lee Precision already about 9mm. I think the 9mm case being a taper case with base being slightly larger than the neck, there may be an issue with push through sizing (in comparison, 40/45 cases are not tapered).

That being said, I am able to size a 9mm case with my Lee carbide sizing die on a single stage press all the way down to the bottom of case to the point that my loaded 9mm round has play in my Lone Wolf barrel (just about the tightest chamber I know). So, maybe Lee thought 9mm bulged cases did not need the bulge buster kit.

I will let you know if I hear from them.

I think the kit is great for those who pick up range brass to reload (and most of us do), and if you have better supported barrel (as indicated in the brochure), you may need to push through size only once, or as necessary.

 

[LubeckTech]

Not to hijack the thread does anyone make a sizing die to help similar problems with .38/.357 brass? I have some brass with size problems at the very bottom of the case.

 

[Walkalong]

Not to hijack the thread does anyone make a sizing die to help similar problems with .38/.357 brass?

If you are having trouble with .38 & .357 brass chambering, you either have an oversized sizer, or tight chambers. The steel sizers are generally tighter, but also size down farther than the Carbide ones. If you just have a little bulge at the bottom (fairly normal) and they chamber fine, you don't have a problem.

 

[rcmodel]

I have some 38/.357 brass with size problems at the very bottom of the case.

Some older brands of carbide dies leave a ring at the bottom of the case and there ain't nothing you can do about it.
Except back of the die some until it stops doing it.
Truth be told you can generally only just past neck-size revolver brass and it will still chamber

That very bottom of a revolver case next to the rim is solid brass case web and shouldn't expand enough to make a bit of differance in chambering.

rc

 

[LiveLife]

I posed the question to Lee Precision already about 9mm. I think the 9mm case being a taper case with base being slightly larger than the neck, there may be an issue with push through sizing (in comparison, 40/45 cases are not tapered).

Got a response from Lee regarding the 9mm:

From: John Lee <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Bulge Buster Die Kit
Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 7:49 AM

Because the 9mm [case] is tapered the standard Factory Crimp Die will not work as a push through die.

We have modified a 9mm Factory Crimp Die and it is being beta tested by the owner of a Uzi. If the test proves out we will be able to provide a die to use with this tapered case.

My limited testing in the office was encouraging.

Sincerely

John Lee, President

Looks like Lee got all the calibers covered, including the 9mm taper case!

 

[Benelli]

I just tried the new Lee Bulge Buster and it did not live up to my expectations. I am using the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp so I did not use a lube the first time I used the tool. Two cases got stuck in the crimp sleeve and I had to tap it out. Second try, I used One Shot lube and sprayed it on the case and a little on the crimp sleeve. The result was the same, two stuck cases.

I used the Redding G-RX before and that is much more forgiving than the Lee Bulge Buster. I will try the U-Die from EGW next.

 

[LiveLife]

Benelli:
I just tried the new Lee Bulge Buster and it did not live up to my expectations. I am using the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp so I did not use a lube the first time I used the tool. Two cases got stuck in the crimp sleeve and I had to tap it out. Second try, I used One Shot lube and sprayed it on the case and a little on the crimp sleeve. The result was the same, two stuck cases.

I used the Redding G-RX before and that is much more forgiving than the Lee Bulge Buster. I will try the U-Die from EGW next.

Best to my knowledge, Lee Bulge Buster has not been released yet (I just checked the Lee factory website store and other online vendor pages and they are not available for sale). When and where did you buy the Bulge Buster? Or did you just try the FCD? The kit is designed to "push through" the cases through the FCD and out the top of the die. Like the Redding G-RX push through die, bulge buster kit will full length size the case to remove any unsized lip ring.

U die from EGW is an 0.001" undersize carbide die and not a push through die. http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-232938.html
For those interested, It is still available from EGW for $28: http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=40&products_id=40

 

[Otto]

I've been doing this for a year with a Lee FCD and a lube sizer punch.
If you already have a Factory Carbide Die, just purchase the punch from Lee and save yourself some money.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-PszuLwEu8


BTW, Factory Sales, http://factorysales.com is not affiliated with Lee and has many negative reviews. They charge your credit card immediately and don't deliver in a timely manner, best to avoid this dealer.

 

[Benelli]

I pre-ordered my Lee Bulge Buster since December and I received it today. They are taking orders now, they just haven't updated their website.

 

[Benelli]

Are you supposed to re-size the case first before you run it through the bulge buster?

 

[LiveLife]

Benelli, no. You remove the guts out of Factory Crimp Die (FCD) and run the cases through the FCD/Bulge Buster kit using the push through punch so the cases come out the top of the FCD - You keep pushing the cases up and catch container collects the sized cases. BTW, where did you get your order from?

Otto, got it. The Lee factory website is: http://www.leeprecision.com/ I have gotten my Lee products from MidwayUSA with good experience.

 

[otblue]

Yes it does happen in 9mm as well but it is all relative to chambers and dies.

I suspect if you use only the brass fired in your own individual gun and always keep it separate, and you have a compatible die set, then you will never need the "bulge buster".

I load for my family, 9mm's in several Glock variations, BHP's, a CZ and never a problem. Didn't even bother with the factory carbide crimp die even though I don't separate brass.

Bought a Norinco CZ clone, instant problems. Really tight chamber, very accurate handgun, won't chamber Glocked 9mm cases most of the time because of a tiny bulge at the base of the case which ordinary sizing doesn't get to.

Hope Lee works out the 9mm version of this new die soon.

 

[LiveLife]

The bulged cases come from range brass pickup or bought once-fired brass that were shot from Glocks that have looser chambers.

I do not get bulged cases from my reloads, but I do get range brass from the local range and some of them need the extra sizing.

For the most part, sizing the cases using Lee carbide die on a single stage press with the shell holder takes care of 99%+ of
range brass and they pass the case gauge or the tightest chambered barrel I have (Lone Wolf). Currently, cases that do not pass get tossed into my scrap bin.

With the bulge buster kit using the Lee factory crimp die, I will now be able to size all the failed bulged cases from my scrap bin.

 

[otblue]

It is the 9mm Glocks in my family that cause the problem but as I mentioned the problem is only with a really tight CZ clone.

Keeping the brass separate is the cure for the present but that really is a nuisance. I have carbide dies in Lyman, Lee, Redding and Hornady (TiN) and of those the Lyman in a single stage press sizes the cases best or furtherest down the case body.

A Lee Bulge buster in 9mm would be great but in the interim I am considering getting a steel 9mm sizing die as I read somewhere that they size further down than carbide inserts. Any truth to that?

Alternatively I was thinking of getting the Lee Classic loader, you know, the one you hammer the case into. Does that size the whole case?

 

[LiveLife]

I only use Lee carbide pistol dies and cannot comment whether steel dies size more. Maybe someone else can comment on them. Using steel die requires case lube. Some here posted rusting problem with the steel die and the frequent maintenance requirement. I really enjoy the Lee carbide dies - I only use a dry Q-tip to keep them clean and they last a long time.

Is your Glock Generation 3 model? If you have an older model with looser chamber, you can consider using the Lone Wolf barrel which has a very tight chamber. Spent cases from Lone Wolf barrel require very little sizing and they won't bulge the case. If you keep shooting resized cases, LW barrel will also extend your case life.

If you are having sizing problems from loose chambers, replacing with tighter barrel (at least for range practice for shooting reloads) will eliminate the cause of bulged cases and you won't need to worry about having to repeatedly resize them (which will further weaken the case bottom).

I have never used the Lee loader you hammer. Perhaps someone else can comment whether it sizes better.

If you need more 9mm cases, they are readily available in the Buy/Sell section of THR. http://www.thehighroad.org/search.php?searchid=7069682

Heck, I got 5 gallon buckets of 9mm range brass I can send to you if you pay for shipping.