40 S&W reloading

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Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse

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I started reloading 40 S&W a few days ago. I loaded 180gr FMJ FP bullets using WST (4.7 gr) data from the hodgon reloading site.

Took100 rounds to the range The first two magazines fired excellent and without issue. The second set of magazines I encountered two jams with the breech not returning all of the way. I checked the barrel and noticed an unfired cartridge in the barrel. I tried to remove it, but it was jammed. I borrowed a stuck case remover and removed the bullet. it happened one more time with my reloads. After 100 rounds, I switched to Magtech 40 S&W ammunition and fired 50 shots without issue.

I compared the cases and noticed a bulge on the bottom of the reloads. I have never seen a bulge that low on any other bullets that I reload (9mm, 44 special, 45acp).

Has anyone experienced this? Is it caused during the reloading process or does it occur after being fired. Below is a pic with crude arrows to compare against an unfired manufacturer bullet on the right. At the point of the arrows is a bulge, which is what caused the cartridge to jam and not fully seat in the barrel.
40SW.jpg

Any help or recommendations would be greatly apprecited.

TIA

CH
 
Glock bulge. I would bet those cases were fired in an early Glock factory barrel. An unsupported chamber created that bulge, most likely from a Glock.

Make sure your running your sizing dies down as absolutely far as it can. That usually solves the problem but if not you can get a variety of specialty tools to remove that bulge if you want.
 
Howland937 said:
Since he didn't specify what he's shooting them in, is it possible the bulge is from his barrel?
Unless he's using brass that he's never fired, of course.
Click to expand...
Sure it could be the OP's gun. If the OP's gun is an early Glock in 40S&W or a few other models of 40S&W handguns that did not fully support the case it could be the OP gun that caused the bulge during the previous firing.
 
The Lee FCD should fix those. I use the 40S&W Lee FCD as a debulger for my 357sig brass, so it should do the same for 40S&W loads. I have been loading 40S&W loads for a while now with brass from all different sources, and never had an issue with my loads not fully seating. I use the 40S&W Lee FCD as my crimp die.
 
I've bought once fired same headstamp brass. A few thousand once fired cases fired in multiple different guns. The majority of swelled, not bulged cases , were fired in some guns not Glocks. You can tell by the firing pin indent. The majority were fine to reload BUT they were all sized first in my Redding Carbide GR-X push through die. The 40 S&W case is almost straight sided and a regular sizing die does not size down far enough to remove any swelling near the case head. A Lee U'Die just makes the situation worse. Wouldn't load 40 S&W without a push through die especially with range pickups or purchased once fired as there are too many guns out there with generous chambers that swell 40 cases. My reloads in my 40's do not swell my brass but I run them through my Redding GR-X anyway to avoid any possibility of what you are experiencing. Kind of expensive the Redding Carbide GR-X but worth every penny. I have found a few cases with the "guppy belly" damage that appears to have fired out of battery. These cases need scrapped. as they are dangerous.
 
The gun I own is an M&P40. First Generation. I obtained the cases from Brassman brass. Thanks for all the feedback. I wasn't aware of the term "Glock bulge."

As for the reloads, they were "once" fired brass. As it was the first time that I reloaded it, I know the cases were that way as they were not fired from my M&P. They jammed in my M&P and would not fire.

I used Hornady dies which has the seat and crimp in the same die. Will the Lee Full Crimp Die take care of the issue?

Now that I know, I'll be certain to check all my empty cases before reloading them. I checked all the spent Magtech ammo that I fired from the M&P and there were no issues with it. So my barrel seems to be good.

Much appreciated, and Thanks again

CH
 
The factory crimp die will size them right and the lee bulge buster helps. I even size them again when resizing. An extra step and a pain, yes. But you can’t beat the price of OFB. They can be used for a while. Get a cartridge max length gauge to check them before they go into gun. Sure thing
 
It’s a shame that there’s no place to rent a Redding GRx die for the weekend. When I started reloading for 40S&W I bought a Redding Carbide die set. Then I bought 1000 cases of once fired (presumably) 40S&W brass. It was all clean and shiny, but no processing, so I had to size and deprime these cases. I then spent several months in frustration as after resizing I could push a bullet to the bottom of the case by hand. Multiple helpful souls told me I needed to run the cases through a Redding GRx die, as surely my fat cases were suffering from Glock Bulge. Bought the GRx die, ran all 1000 cases through, then ran them all through the resizing die...following the GRx die instructions, and still couldn’t load a single 40S&W cartridge. In the end, my problem was a bad (wrong) resizing ring in the Redding sizing die, and I’ve never used that GRx die, which cost more than the entire reloading die set, again.
 
JPIMBO said:
The factory crimp die will size them right and the lee bulge buster helps. I even size them again when resizing. An extra step and a pain, yes. But you can’t beat the price of OFB. They can be used for a while. Get a cartridge max length gauge to check them before they go into gun. Sure thing
Click to expand...
Funny you mention the max length gauge. I have one for others, except the 40 s&w. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll also look at the lee bulge buster. Never heard of that one.

The good thing is that it wasn't anything in the reloading process. It really threw me for a loop at the range.

Thanks again

Ch
 
Crazy Horse said:
The gun I own is an M&P40. First Generation. I obtained the cases from Brassman brass. Thanks for all the feedback. I wasn't aware of the term "Glock bulge."

As for the reloads, they were "once" fired brass. As it was the first time that I reloaded it, I know the cases were that way as they were not fired from my M&P. They jammed in my M&P and would not fire.

I used Hornady dies which has the seat and crimp in the same die. Will the Lee Full Crimp Die take care of the issue?

Now that I know, I'll be certain to check all my empty cases before reloading them. I checked all the spent Magtech ammo that I fired from the M&P and there were no issues with it. So my barrel seems to be good.

Much appreciated, and Thanks again

CH
Click to expand...
Looking at your pix and using a die which seats and crimps in one step it looks like your crimp might be to heavy. When you seat and crimp in the same step if you have to much crimp to early and then seat the bullet it can sometimes bulge the bottom of the case. It might be worth taking a look at your crimp and seat again.

I use the Lee 4 die set for all of my pistol cartridges and the last die has a carbide ring which will resize all cases to spec if their are any bulges in the case. Never had a problem with cartridges not feeding, firing or ejecting ok.

As much as your cases are bulged at the bottom not sure if the Lee die would help though. Still think you are crimping to much to soon.

Have you done the Plunk Test to find the correct COL for your barrel and bullet? If not it would be worth doing it.
 
I looked at 50 cases and inspected for reload. Thought they were good and reloaded them. a little under 1/2 didn't pass the gauge test. Many, the 1k cases that I purchased from Brassman have quite a bit of cases with "case bulge."

I guess I am going to wait to reload 40 S@W until I get the Lee FCP and bulge buster.

In hindsight, I think I'll just build my case inventory from cases I fire from my 40 S&W.

Going to run a plunk test on the ones that didn't pass the gauge check to see if they will not function before tearing them apart.

Questions, Is this issue only with older Glocks? did Glock take care of the issue?

Crazy. It's a good thing I started reloading with cartridges that don't typically have this issue. If not, I would have really been turned off by reloading.

I was really liking my M&P40 until this issue. After this I think I'll just stick with one 40 S&W firearm.
case bulge.jpg


Update, I have LE WIlson cause gauges for my rimmed cases and like those. I used the Lyman cause gaug pictured. After the plunk test, only 3 cases of the 19 pictured on the left. Good think I ordered the LE Wilson gauge as I trust it more for accuracy.

THX

CH
 
Last edited:
I purchased a Thousand once fired .357 SIG brass ... they were fired in SIG pistols .... fired by nearby state troopers ....

Many of the brass had a "bulge" .... the bulge is not limited to Glocks .....

I ran those and all my .357 SIG brass through a .40 S&W Redding G-Rx die .... it removed the bulge and then I size the neck in a 357 SIG die ...

Problem solved .... My Glock chamber is fully supported ....
 
Yah @Crazy Horse its just a fluke from Glock and the 40. 380 is OK. Sorry you are having this problem but once you get the bulge buster it will be OK. While you are waiting take apart a few. You can use that BB on primed brass too.
If you did a lot that’s frustrating, but don’t give up on the sport..... it’ll never happen again. Challenge you know...
 
JPIMBO said:
Yah @Crazy Horse its just a fluke from Glock and the 40. 380 is OK. Sorry you are having this problem but once you get the bulge buster it will be OK. While you are waiting take apart a few. You can use that BB on primed brass too.
If you did a lot that’s frustrating, but don’t give up on the sport..... it’ll never happen again. Challenge you know...
Click to expand...
Thanks. I have a Hornady due set, so I had to order a 40 s&wv Fill crimp die as well. It seems that reloading equipment is also starting to get difficult too come by. I couldn't find the lee 4 piece die set, but all I need is the fill crimp die and the build bulge buster. I already took the reloads I did apart and will wait to get the bulge buster before reloading more 40 s&w ammunition.

I'll just have to run ~900 cases through the bulge buster to eliminate any potential problems. Looked you said I'll be better informed and prepared from now on.

Thx

CH
 
vaalpens said:
The Lee FCD should fix those. I use the 40S&W Lee FCD as a debulger for my 357sig brass, so it should do the same for 40S&W loads. I have been loading 40S&W loads for a while now with brass from all different sources, and never had an issue with my loads not fully seating. I use the 40S&W Lee FCD as my crimp die.
Click to expand...

I do the same and have not had any problems with reloads not chambering. I use all Lee dies to include the FCD. Most of my 40S&W brass came from a local sheriffs department. Most of the brass was shot in either a 40S&W H&K MP5 or Glock pistols.
 
I have some 40 brass from a local PD range that was fired in a modified SW MP40's that have similar bulges as the glocks. As far as I know the modifications were a gen 2 trigger but guns were gen 1 as they were not allowed to purchase the gen 2 unless it had been on the market for at least 5 years.
I run all my 40 brass thru a Redding Grx die and have no problems.
 
All,

Thank you very much for all the helpful comments and suggestion. Lee bulge buster....... I'm a believer. It works GREAT!!!!

have cycled about 150 rounds through the bulge buster. Checked them out and they seated smoothly on my case gauge. Will be reloading about 200 rounds for Sunday.

Thanks again everyone.

CH
 
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