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Old September 12, 2002, 06:35 PM   #1
AlonzoMosely
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What are the possible causes of a bulged case?

Was at the range a few weeks ago. A friend was firing commercially reloaded .45 ACP 200gr SWC in a full size Baer. Don't know what powder. Heard an extra loud shot and stopped - didn't sound right. No barrel obstruction and the gun looked fine. We searched around and found the case. It was bulged at the rear where it sat over the feed ramp, and the primer was blown out. No cracks in the case. What are possible causes of this?

Seems likely it was simply a double charge, but what other possibilities are there? Bullet setback causing extra pressure? Anything else?

Thanks.
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Old September 12, 2002, 11:32 PM   #2
Mike Irwin
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You've got the two main ones, although a double charge of most .45 ACP powders will blow the case head, too.
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Old September 13, 2002, 12:08 AM   #3
blades67
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Could've been an overcharged case, not quite a double charge, or bullet setback as you said.
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Old September 13, 2002, 08:28 AM   #4
AlonzoMosely
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follow up

reloader has said he was having problems with "off center primer pocket reaming" [???] and that could have caused it. What does that mean/does it make any sense?

Thanks again
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Old September 13, 2002, 08:52 AM   #5
Quantrill
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Bulged .45 cases

If it was only one case out of 100 or so then the above answers are right in the ball park. BUT, if they all show SOME bulging, then it is time to check the barrel. I have seen a few times where someone polishes and reams the chamber of a .45acp in the hopes of feeding bullets that are difficult to feed. If too much metal is removed, the result is bulging cases to different degrees. Quantrill
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Old September 13, 2002, 08:59 AM   #6
braindead0
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Off center primer pocket reaming may account for the ejected primer, but not the bulged case.
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