Bulge in case after loading 230gr FMJ .45acp

Sky Master · July 26, 2011, 01:38 PM

I'm getting a bulge on one side of the case after loading Winchester 230gr .45acp. with my Dillon 650XL. Off center seating. I've sized and seated using Lyman dies and Lee dies. The Lee sizer and seating dies are producing a less pronouce bulge than the Lyman, but it is still there. It makes no difference using R-P, Win or PMC cases. The case is flared enough as the bullet sits on the case. The expander that is part of the powder station measures .448 for use on a .451 bullet. Under sized expander? I'm using a round nose seating stem in the seating die. The spring guide at station 2 is pressing up against the case to keep the case against the shell holder. There is no problem with the .40 S&W or 9mm I'm loading in the 650XL.

jonboyc · July 26, 2011, 02:24 PM

Is it a bulge like its just formed to the bullet? I was always told with auto pistol rounds the tight fit of the case acts as the crimp and produces a distinctive outline of the bullet on the case. All my cases have this and they've all shot just fine.

brickeyee · July 26, 2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

I was always told with auto pistol rounds

With ANY round.

Case tension is what hold the bullet in place.

Cases are sized so the ID is a few thousandths smaller than the bullet, and the bullet then stretches the brass to create case tension (often refereed to as neck tension in bottle necked cases).

mehavey · July 26, 2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

I'm getting a bulge on one side of the case....

Pull the die apart an clean the heck out of it to ensure there isn't some grease nudging the bullet to one side as it seats. (Is it always the same side relative to the die?)

-- and --

What kind of seater-die top punch (shape) are you using? I can't think of any other reasons for an off-center bulge

aiming fluid · July 26, 2011, 03:28 PM

I chased this same problem, and what resolved it for me was this http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=340927

along with this http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=734166

Absolute perfection every time now.

Try the Lyman M-die first, much cheaper and will likely resolve or improve your alignment. If it's not enough, then get the Redding competition seating die to go with it.

Sky Master · July 26, 2011, 05:53 PM

Lyman M Die won't work as Dillon XL650 requires use of their expander powder drop thru on Dillon toolhead. The Lee dies are new, so their not dirty at all. It seems that the bullets are seating off center. I may have to call Dillon.

aiming fluid · July 26, 2011, 06:57 PM

My apologies Sky Master, I did not know you needed the flow thru die. I don't own a Dillon but I hear wonderful things about their customer service. For sure, give them a call and they can work their magic.

chris in va · July 26, 2011, 07:55 PM

Careful with the flare. I had a bit too much and the bullets seated off center.

Sky Master · July 26, 2011, 10:02 PM

I was wondering about too much flare also. I'll try reducing it a bit, if it still seats off center I'll call Dillon.

Civil War Life · July 26, 2011, 10:34 PM

I just started reloading 9mm and had the same problem. The dies were new and clean. I checked Midway for the expander die for 9mm and couldn't find one. Does anyone know who might have this? Thanks.

TT

Nosparetime · July 26, 2011, 10:44 PM

Have a round in all stations. Loosen lock rings on the dies. Fully engage your handle. Tighten your lock rings. This will help center all the dies. If you don't have all your stations full when you tighten you will sometimes get off center.

It is normal to have some bulge from the bullet and it will often show on one side.

Does it fit your case gauge or barrel. If so don't worry about it.

A friend of mine is an aircraft mechanic and he was having the same problem and it was driving him crazy as he is a perfectionist. It was just visual and they functioned and shot just fine. His were lead bullets so it was even worse than FMJ would be.

243winxb · July 27, 2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Under sized expander?

Yes. .448" is undersize. Add spring back of the brass and it more. Try for a .450" If on seating a bullet, the sized case expands by .002", you will have plenty of neck tension.

Sky Master · August 1, 2011, 08:42 PM

Put a round in all stations, loosened lock nuts raised and retighted lock nuts, also reduced flare. Result, no bulge from off seated bullets.
Thanks

Nosparetime · August 3, 2011, 12:15 AM

Your welcome!

Miata Mike · August 3, 2011, 10:29 AM

Good to see a nice simple solution!

maillemaker · August 3, 2011, 12:28 PM

I will have to try this. I have also been seeing a bulge in my .45ACP. I even bought the Lee "finishing" die to try and smooth them out after they are loaded.

For me, the bulge causes problems on extraction, as the extracted case rim sometimes catches on the bulge.

Steve

brickeyee · August 3, 2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Put a round in all stations, loosened lock nuts raised and retighted lock nuts, also reduced flare. Result, no bulge from off seated bullets.

The sloppy die threads do not do a thing to improve accuracy or consistency.

Making sure the die is square to the ram (takes some of the slop out of the die-press threads) does help.

If you have the die squared up better, you can use an o-rung to hold the shell holder in the ram and let the holder float to align as the case enters the die.

Probably not that important for pistol ammo, but reduced run-out helps with high accuracy rifles.

Civil War Life · August 11, 2011, 01:09 PM

I have just started reloading 9mm and had the same bulge. I only loaded about 50 rounds. Just bought a new S&W 9mm M&P Compact. Took it out to the range last night and fired my 50 rounds and about 50 mil issue rounds. My rounds were actually more accurate and caused no problem either feeding or extracting. There was no bulge on the fired cases. I have ordered the Lyman M die though and will try it out to see if the bulge is gone.

Love this gun.

July 26, 2011, 01:38 PM	#1
Sky Master Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2009 Posts: 136	Bulge in case after loading 230gr FMJ .45acp I'm getting a bulge on one side of the case after loading Winchester 230gr .45acp. with my Dillon 650XL. Off center seating. I've sized and seated using Lyman dies and Lee dies. The Lee sizer and seating dies are producing a less pronouce bulge than the Lyman, but it is still there. It makes no difference using R-P, Win or PMC cases. The case is flared enough as the bullet sits on the case. The expander that is part of the powder station measures .448 for use on a .451 bullet. Under sized expander? I'm using a round nose seating stem in the seating die. The spring guide at station 2 is pressing up against the case to keep the case against the shell holder. There is no problem with the .40 S&W or 9mm I'm loading in the 650XL.

July 26, 2011, 02:24 PM	#2
jonboyc Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 24	Is it a bulge like its just formed to the bullet? I was always told with auto pistol rounds the tight fit of the case acts as the crimp and produces a distinctive outline of the bullet on the case. All my cases have this and they've all shot just fine.

July 26, 2011, 03:28 PM	#5
aiming fluid Member Join Date: July 1, 2010 Posts: 44	I chased this same problem, and what resolved it for me was this http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=340927 along with this http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=734166 Absolute perfection every time now. Try the Lyman M-die first, much cheaper and will likely resolve or improve your alignment. If it's not enough, then get the Redding competition seating die to go with it.

July 26, 2011, 05:53 PM	#6
Sky Master Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2009 Posts: 136	Lyman M Die won't work as Dillon XL650 requires use of their expander powder drop thru on Dillon toolhead. The Lee dies are new, so their not dirty at all. It seems that the bullets are seating off center. I may have to call Dillon.

July 26, 2011, 06:57 PM	#7
aiming fluid Member Join Date: July 1, 2010 Posts: 44	My apologies Sky Master, I did not know you needed the flow thru die. I don't own a Dillon but I hear wonderful things about their customer service. For sure, give them a call and they can work their magic.

July 26, 2011, 07:55 PM	#8
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Careful with the flare. I had a bit too much and the bullets seated off center.

July 26, 2011, 10:02 PM	#9
Sky Master Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2009 Posts: 136	I was wondering about too much flare also. I'll try reducing it a bit, if it still seats off center I'll call Dillon.

July 26, 2011, 10:34 PM	#10
Civil War Life Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 166	I just started reloading 9mm and had the same problem. The dies were new and clean. I checked Midway for the expander die for 9mm and couldn't find one. Does anyone know who might have this? Thanks. TT

July 26, 2011, 10:44 PM	#11
Nosparetime Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 100	Have a round in all stations. Loosen lock rings on the dies. Fully engage your handle. Tighten your lock rings. This will help center all the dies. If you don't have all your stations full when you tighten you will sometimes get off center. It is normal to have some bulge from the bullet and it will often show on one side. Does it fit your case gauge or barrel. If so don't worry about it. A friend of mine is an aircraft mechanic and he was having the same problem and it was driving him crazy as he is a perfectionist. It was just visual and they functioned and shot just fine. His were lead bullets so it was even worse than FMJ would be.

August 1, 2011, 08:42 PM	#13
Sky Master Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2009 Posts: 136	Put a round in all stations, loosened lock nuts raised and retighted lock nuts, also reduced flare. Result, no bulge from off seated bullets. Thanks

August 3, 2011, 12:15 AM	#14
Nosparetime Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 100	Your welcome!

August 3, 2011, 10:29 AM	#15
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 418	Good to see a nice simple solution!

August 3, 2011, 12:28 PM	#16
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	I will have to try this. I have also been seeing a bulge in my .45ACP. I even bought the Lee "finishing" die to try and smooth them out after they are loaded. For me, the bulge causes problems on extraction, as the extracted case rim sometimes catches on the bulge. Steve

August 11, 2011, 01:09 PM	#18
Civil War Life Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 166	I have just started reloading 9mm and had the same bulge. I only loaded about 50 rounds. Just bought a new S&W 9mm M&P Compact. Took it out to the range last night and fired my 50 rounds and about 50 mil issue rounds. My rounds were actually more accurate and caused no problem either feeding or extracting. There was no bulge on the fired cases. I have ordered the Lyman M die though and will try it out to see if the bulge is gone. Love this gun.