Would you reload this bulged 10mm brass?

[**Brian19**]

Thanks for all the input. At least for the near future, I won’t run brass that’s already been fired through my Kriss Vector with and unsupported chamber. I’ve been playing around with lighter loads and just don’t get great results without upping them to the point of it exhibit some bulge.

I was able to get some new Starline brass from MBC, and I also purchased range dirty once fired brass from Georgia Brass. To my delight, the vast majority was not bulged. So separating those un-bulged ones out gives an option at a lower cost. But both options will be one and done through the Kriss from now on.

Well...maybe not done for good. I found a 10mm Hi-Point for under $400....and um, the bullpup conversion for $250. But think of all that brass I’ll be saving.

One more question to the members that had a more conservative approach that was a suggestion from a reloading co-worker of mine...What do you think about reusing once fired brass that’s only slightly bulged and taking care to load it into the magazine 180 degrees from the unsupported portion of the chamber to get a second using before culling?

 

[packetloss]

IMHO Bulge Busters are 2-purpose tools;1) Make the case fit back into the chamber, 2) Give the reloader a false sense of security. The 'plunk test' only reinforces the trick. It tells you absolutely nothing about the condition of the case except it will fit.
Ask yourself this question; If you had some bottleneck cases with the prominent ring around the head indicating an imminent head separation, would you run it thru a 'bottleneck bulge buster' (if there was such a thing) and shoot it? ? ?

That isn't entirely true for all situations. For a guppy style bulge, I agree. I wouldn't reuse those cases. The fact of the matter is no 2 chambers are exactly the same. Some chambers are SAAMI minimum spec, others are slightly looser and some times you end up with brass from someone else's gun where the case won't gauge to SAAMI minimum specs. For those, I run them through a bulge buster and then they are fine. In fact 95%+ of these plunk just fine even without it. In this instance the case wasn't abnormally stretched any more than the top part of a case that you resize with a sizing die. In fact I'd argue there was way more stress on the case mouth of any case than the bottom portion of these cases.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Well...maybe not done for good. I found a 10mm Hi-Point for under $400....and um, the bullpup conversion for $250. But think of all that brass I’ll be saving.

I have that set up and it’s fun to shoot. Downside is the 10 round mags and the trigger with the rifle in the bullpup stock. Takes some getting used to but it’s a great shooter.

Also, my 800X and 180 grain XTP loads that I shoot in my G20 with KKM barrel show some mild primer flattening in the Hi Point bullpup rifle. Accuracy is spot on so I’m not overly concerned about them as I’m meticulous with the powder load since it’s 800X.

Below includes trying different loads beyond my go to 800X loads.

 

[**Brian19**]

I have that set up and it’s fun to shoot. Downside is the 10 round mags and the trigger with the rifle in the bullpup stock. Takes some getting used to but it’s a great shooter.

Also, my 800X and 180 grain XTP loads that I shoot in my G20 with KKM barrel show some mild primer flattening in the Hi Point bullpup rifle. Accuracy is spot on so I’m not overly concerned about them as I’m meticulous with the powder load since it’s 800X.

Below includes trying different loads beyond my go to 800X loads.

View attachment 1006123

I saw that you mentioned that you had this kit. Mine just arrived today and I’ll try it out in the morning. It’s pretty cool on top of the fact that Hi-Point is cheap, reliable fun.

 

[Herman B]

What do you think about reusing once fired brass that’s only slightly bulged and taking care to load it into the magazine 180 degrees from the unsupported portion of the chamber to get a second using before culling?

Two different matters. Ensuring that rounds are properly clocked in the chamber? Never. Reusing slightly bulged, once-fired brass? Heck yes. Maybe a third, fourth time, etc. All depends on how hot the prior rounds were loaded.

A 'guppy' is a throw-away. And the nebulous term, 'bulge'. How much is too much? Grab your caliper. Where's the line between them? Your call. I don't run at the ragged edge for the sake of it. Function and accuracy supersede hp. grabbed a KKM bbl to help minimize brass wear for a G20.

 

[BBarn]

If it doesn't fit a case gauge after sizing with a standard die, it gets tossed into the scrap bin.