45 ACP projectile bulge on the cartridge case

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I just bump my cast .452 leads into the case, then drop ram and rotate case 180 and seat. I always have a bulge, Remington cases not as much.If they pass the PLUNK TEST, I'm good to go. hdbiker
 
Anyone want to admit that with a pistol, that they might be able to hold a wash tub at 25 yards if the big end is facing you?
If it is a big wash tub and it holds still maybe:)
I know targets can move, all you have to do is take a normal USPSA target and turn it so the white side is facing the shooter and it becomes capable of movement:D
(usually into the path of bullets shot at targets that have the brown side facing the shooter)

If the "bulge" is even and the rounds gauge/chamber ok I don't worry about it.
I sort of like the bulge as most of the time it is showing me the brass got sized down enough to give me good neck tension.
I use mixed range brass for most pistol ammo and since all of it is not the same thickness some may have more or less/no bulge.
If it shoots good and has good neck tension I am happy.
 
Now I have to ask the question that I have had for a long time after reading this topic and many like it in all of the reloading forums about this bulge and the use of the M die.

I do all my pistol reloading on some form of Lee press, either turret or progressive, and I always use a Lee Powder measure. Either the Auto Disk or the Auto drum, which needs to be used with a powder thru expander just as the Dillon and Hornady powder measures do. Now from what I see every time is that this "M" die has a solid expander. so in order to use this die how would you use a powder thru die Powder measure? Do you need to add a step and a station before the powder measure to expand the case?

I just accept the fact tat the tooling that I am using is not going to remove or eliminate the bilge.
 
the Auto Disk or the Auto drum, which needs to be used with a powder thru expander just as the Dillon and Hornady powder measures do.
The Hornady does not require a powder-thru expander. Use of their PTX is optional

Now from what I see every time is that this "M" die has a solid expander. so in order to use this die how would you use a powder thru die Powder measure? Do you need to add a step and a station before the powder measure to expand the case?
I use a separate expansion die as all my cases, .38Spl and .45ACP, have been sized and primed during a prior session.

When I load 9mm, usually in large batches, I've taken to using the DAA (Double-Alpha Academy) expansion inserts for Dillon and Hornady powder measures, which use the M-die profile
 
If the "bulge" is even and the rounds gauge/chamber ok I don't worry about it.
The bulge became more of a concern when I started shooting .45ACP held in moonclips loaded into revolvers. While the bulge may not affect chambering in a single barrel, you sometimes run into a "stacking of tolerances" issue when trying to get 6 cases to enter 6 chambers simultaneously
 
The Hornady does not require a powder-thru expander. Use of their PTX is optional

Might not have been understood but I was referring to Hornady's AP progressive which I understood uses a Thru Die expander, but seeing as I have never seen one or used one I could be wrong. The reason for me buying a progressive was to be able to accomplish the whole process at one time in one session. But again that is just my preference.
 
I was referring to Hornady's AP progressive which I understood uses a Thru Die expander, but seeing as I have never seen one or used one I could be wrong.
When you buy the basic press, no case or bullet feeder, it doesn't not come with their Powder Through Expander die (called the PTX). The PTX can be purchased separately or, as is most often the case, in conjuction with the Bullet Feeder die.

The powder measure which comes with the LNL AP is designed to work without the PTX. Using the PTX also requires use of the PTX Powder Measure Stop to adjust expansion. Many folks prefer not to use these to retain more control over the amount of flare and powder drop...much like folks who prefer to seat bullets and crimp cases separately

The reason for me buying a progressive was to be able to accomplish the whole process at one time in one session
The most common one-pass setup for dies is: 1) Size and Decrimp, 2) Expand, 3) Powder drop, 4) Seat, and 5) Crimp
 
Anymore I use the cheap lee die sets to load the 45acp & 9mm's. I do put them in a lathe and true them and open up the sizing dies to get cases that are not over worked/sized too small.
 
There is a company that makes inserts for the Lee Powder die that have the M die profile.
I have the link someplace but it is eluding me at the moment, and since I am getting senile I can't remember their name either.
(having one of those senior mornings....)\
Will add it when I find it.


I Believe this was it
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=89&osCsid=715sgqvikh8d1jt3efc4jqsub4


The LNL powder measure has a "universal" drop insert so you can use it on the proigressive and not have to use the PTX.
 
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For loading handgun rounds on my LnL press, I use the universal powder insert, since I use the Lyman M Die for case belling. It simplifies things greatly. It's simply a cone shaped insert similar to the drop on a bench mounted powder measure that covers the case mouth to keep the powder from spilling. I just adjust the height of the powder measure to give me a full swing of the powder drum for each caliber.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
Great stuff here guys. Right now I'm about to put an M die in station 2 on the Dillon 650, and will switch to a Hornady shell-activated powder measure on station 3.
 
Yes, that's true.......back in the day us RCBS P2K users bought Hornady powder measure dies, with PTX's, because RCBS wouldn't make them. Then RCBS got a little smarter, having seen what Lyman did with "M" dies, and made PTX's with the "step".......we bought them and they work super....way better than the old stepless Hornadys. And guess what, they can be made to work on the Hornady P.M.'s just as well.......worthwhile if Hornady never upgraded theirs to add a step......did they? Curious.

The newer RCBS PTX's with the step....

RCBS PTX.jpg

The purpose for the PTX powder thru expander is to save a station......some need that some don't.
 
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Walkalong - this sounds like a good solution. The key (for me) was moving powder to Station 3 on my 650. I bought a Hornady case-actuated setup for that - removing the Dillon one. My next setup (when the parts arrive) will be:

1. Resize/Prime (Redding)
2. Expand/Flare (Lyman M)
3. Powder (Hornady measure)
4. Seat (Redding Competition Seater)
5 Taper crimp (Lee)
 
I also use a Redding Competition seater for .45 ACP, that and making sure I got bullets started straighter, even with the sleeved seater, stopped the uneven bulge under the bullet.
 
making sure I got bullets started straighter, even with the sleeved seater
This should still be a point to pay attention to.

The DAA expansion insert, which mimics the M-die, is designed to work with the MrBullet Feeder die. The die releases the bullet and drops it into the case mouth fairly straight. The "seat" created but the insert hold the bullet in that alignment as it moves under the Seating die.

The improved expansion geometry provides an actual seat to help in optimal placement of the bullet...not to correct careless placement
 
Great stuff here guys. Right now I'm about to put an M die in station 2 on the Dillon 650, and will switch to a Hornady shell-activated powder measure on station 3.

Why not get a M die powder funnel for your Dillon powder measure?

http://www.uniquetek.com/product/T1582

On my 650 presses I have:

1. Resize deprime
2. Primer seat, powder measure with custom funnel
3. RCBS Lock-Out die
4. Dillon bullet seating die
5. Dillon crimp die.

The Lock-Out die has saved me a couple of times. I refuse to reload pistol rounds without one.
 
Thanks, Texas10mm, I'll check those out, seems like a great thing and I can add the Powder Check back in.
 
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