Trouble sizing .40

[TransAmConvert]

I was trying to load .40 for the first time. Mixed range brass. My cases out of the resizer were getting a burr from the redding sizing die. I measured the die insert at .415, cases were coming out .417. It was really working the brass, some of which had a slight bulge near the base.
By lubing the cases I was able to load the ammo without putting burrs in the brass, but is this die undersized? I don't think .40 should need lube and the cases get worked smaller than factory ammo that I measured at .420-.423.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I was trying to load .40 for the first time. Mixed range brass. My cases out of the resizer were getting a burr from the redding sizing die. I measured the die insert at .415, cases were coming out .417. It was really working the brass, some of which had a slight bulge near the base.
By lubing the cases I was able to load the ammo without putting burrs in the brass, but is this die undersized? I don't think .40 should need lube and the cases get worked smaller than factory ammo that I measured at .420-.423.

I lube my .40 before resizing

are you bulge busting your .40 brass

 

[TransAmConvert]

No I used it as tumbled same as any other caliber I have done. How would one bulge bust it?

 

[Mark_Mark]

No I used it as tumbled same as any other caliber I have done. How would one bulge bust it?

lee sells a Bulge Buster kit for .40

 

[Stevenvalleyky]

Can you take a picture of this burr?
The bulge is from being shot in unsupported chambers like the 1st gen glocks. Its a common issue and can be solved by the lee bulge buster although the FCD die that comes in the 4 die pistol sets from Lee does the trick for me.

 

[TransAmConvert]

The bottom case shows the burr. You can actually catch your fingernail on it. The other picture shows the other side, which isn't as bad. Top case is as found, you can see the little bulge in it about where the pen is pointing.
Nobody thinks the sizer is too small?

 

[Mark_Mark]

The bottom case shows the burr. You can actually catch your fingernail on it. The other picture shows the other side, which isn't as bad. Top case is as found, you can see the little bulge in it about where the pen is pointing.
Nobody thinks the sizer is too small?

View attachment 987518 View attachment 987519

you need to run these brass through a Lee Bulge Buster

I think your bulge is so bad the the extra material is causing the burr. were did you get these brass? Did someone sell you a bag of bulged .40 brass? here is my brass after running it though a Lee BB. Here a video explaining Lee BB

 

[Mark_Mark]

Midway Lee BB $17
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012847155/

 

[WeekendReloader]

I had this issue on some 9mm brass. The bulge in the fired case wall is pushed down to the base by the carbide ring in the sizing die.
Using a LEE Factory Crimp Die (9mmMAK FCD for the 9x19) and the LEE Bulge Buster kit, I straightened the case walls before the sizing process. All the cases ran through the sizing die just fine after that. For 40 cal, you should be able to use the LEE 40 Factory Crimp Die with the Bulge Buster kit.

I also lube my pistol brass to help them slide easily through the bulge buster and sizing dies.

 

[rfwobbly]

I don't think .40 should need lube....

Can you name anything that works better without lubrication ?

 

[jmorris]

No I used it as tumbled same as any other caliber I have done. How would one bulge bust it?

As tumbled being squeaky clean from we tumbling or cleaned using dry with polish? If it’s the first, you should try lube.

FWIW most folks that don’t lube pistol are people that have never tried it. It makes things much smoother, even if it’s not required.

 

[TransAmConvert]

Thanks I understand the problem now. Brass was from a member here, I also got 9mm and .45 that I've not had problems with. I guess it's a .40 thing.

Lube is just kind of messy and I don't generally use it for pistol ammo but I'm not against it. The biggest annoyance with it for me is a little gets inside the case and makes the powder stick so it doesn't want to dump out into the scale to check charge. I dry tumble with polish.

 

[jmorris]

I dry tumble with polish.

The polish will act as a lubricant, not as smooth as applying a case lube but far better that really clean wet tumbled cases.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Thanks I understand the problem now. Brass was from a member here, I also got 9mm and .45 that I've not had problems with. I guess it's a .40 thing.

Lube is just kind of messy and I don't generally use it for pistol ammo but I'm not against it. The biggest annoyance with it for me is a little gets inside the case and makes the powder stick so it doesn't want to dump out into the scale to check charge. I dry tumble with polish.

.40 takes a few extra steps to make them run good.

i use Imperial Wax on my pistol brass. then rub them all down with a cloth of rubbing alcohol. No mess. Have fun with .40!

 

[WeekendReloader]

Thanks I understand the problem now. Brass was from a member here, I also got 9mm and .45 that I've not had problems with. I guess it's a .40 thing.

Lube is just kind of messy and I don't generally use it for pistol ammo but I'm not against it. The biggest annoyance with it for me is a little gets inside the case and makes the powder stick so it doesn't want to dump out into the scale to check charge. I dry tumble with polish.

I use the LEE Resizing Lube in a toothpast like tube. It is wax based and not sticky.
Dissolve 1oz of lube (1/2 of the tube) into 10oz of 70% isopropyl alcohol from the drugstore (shake like hell to get it to dissolve, it can take a few days to get it all dissolved). Put it in a spray bottle, shake well, and give the cases a spritz. Roll 'em around and let dry. It doesn't take much, one spray will do 50-100 cases. Most of the lube comes off in the sizing process so I never do a separate step to clean the lube off. No problems with powder inside the cases either.

 

[MeanBean]

The base bulge on a .40s&w does seem to be more often and more noticeable than on .45acp and 9mm. Definitely look into the Lee bulge buster, it will make loading .40's much less of a headache.
I like to tumble my brass then immediately run them through the bulge buster. They might not all need it, but you will have a lot less headaches.

 

[Mark_Mark]

The base bulge on a .40s&w does seem to be more often and more noticeable than on .45acp and 9mm. Definitely look into the Lee bulge buster, it will make loading .40's much less of a headache.
I like to tumble my brass then immediately run them through the bulge buster. They might not all need it, but you will have a lot less headaches.

I bulge bust all .40
thru my lee App press. fast and easy

 

[1KPerDay]

Lube is just kind of messy and I don't generally use it for pistol ammo but I'm not against it. The biggest annoyance with it for me is a little gets inside the case and makes the powder stick so it doesn't want to dump out into the scale to check charge.

Try Hornady One Shot (the sizing lube, not the gun cleaner/lube). It's the only thing it's good at (and it's ideal for it).... lubing bulk batches of pistol brass for sizing through carbide dies. I DON'T use it for sizing rifle cases (I use imperial sizing wax for that).

 

[sparkyv]

WOW! I'm amazed at all the comments on the all extra effort required for reloading 40S&W. I find it to be the most easy and pleasant, takes the least amount of energy/effort, and the most simple to reload caliber of the 6 handgun calibers I load. I use the Lee 4-die carbide set using only the setup instructions provided. Nothing special, and I never use lube and bulge bust only the loaded rounds that no-go in a case gauge. I've loaded over 3,500 documented rounds (admittedly not much to some) on my turret press and don't recall even one reloading issue or difficulty. 9mm OTOH, is a horse of a different color.

 

[rfwobbly]

Lube is just kind of messy and I don't generally use it for pistol ammo but I'm not against it. The biggest annoyance with it for me is a little gets inside the case and makes the powder stick...

Sounds like you may be using the thicker Rifle case lube ??

I urge you to dedicate an old hand towel, or some piece of thick cloth, about 18x24". Spread the cases onto the towel. Knock them onto their side with a swipe of your hand. Give 2 squirts from 4 feet away with one of the lanolin and alcohol home brews. This will be very thin and highly dispersed. Then empty that towel directly into your case feeder, or what ever bucket or coffee can you load from. This takes all of 20 seconds. At some point the "lube towel" becomes so saturated with lanolin that smaller runs can be done by simply rolling or rubbing the cases over the towel.

This is unlike rifle case sizing where every case has to be lubed. In handgun, only a portion of the cases need lube. The lanolin lingers inside the dies for about 4 to 8 cases. And some tiny amount of lube is dispersed inside the cases to lube the Expander.

Hope this helps.