cartridge bulge

[radarlarry]

Not sure if I should start a new thread here. So, if I'm wrong... let me know.

OK, I just started reloading .45 ACP. I purchased once-fired cases and cast lead 230 gr. bullets measuring .452. I'm using a Hornady LNL AP with the normal 3 die set by Hornady. Using Bullseye with a 4.2 Gr. load.

The resizing die is set to meet the shell plate and backed off 1/8 turn. I bell the cases just enough to allow for seating. OAL is set for 1.275 with just enough taper to remove the bell.

Problem is there is a visible bulge in the case at the bottom of the lead. With bullet seated case mouth measures .453. At the bulge .459.

I have gone through at least 150 rounds without producing a single one that will fully enter the battery or drop into my gauge. I'm a patient person... but I'm runnin' low.

I seem to be doing everything correctly, and yet obviously... I'm not. BTW, the cases fit perfectly before seating the bullet.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Radarlarry

[Jack the Toad]

Try seating a bullet without any crimp then crimp as a separate step.

[Rugby3]

I am betting your OAL is to long. Reduce that down and you should be fine. When I check that load out between both Lymans's 49th and Lee's 2nd Edition there is a serious spread of OAL. Lyman's is recommending 1.272 and Lee's is specific to the Bullseye all the way down to 1.190.

[rayikeo2]

Originally Posted by radarlarry

Not sure if I should start a new thread here. So, if I'm wrong... let me know.

OK, I just started reloading .45 ACP. I purchased once-fired cases and cast lead 230 gr. bullets measuring .452. I'm using a Hornady LNL AP with the normal 3 die set by Hornady. Using Bullseye with a 4.2 Gr. load.

The resizing die is set to meet the shell plate and backed off 1/8 turn. I bell the cases just enough to allow for seating. OAL is set for 1.275 with just enough taper to remove the bell.

Problem is there is a visible bulge in the case at the bottom of the lead. With bullet seated case mouth measures .453. At the bulge .459.

I have gone through at least 150 rounds without producing a single one that will fully enter the battery or drop into my gauge. I'm a patient person... but I'm runnin' low.

I seem to be doing everything correctly, and yet obviously... I'm not. BTW, the cases fit perfectly before seating the bullet.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Radarlarry

Larry, I picked up 2 or more mistakes you are making. 1) the resizing die needs to be lowered back down to tutch the shell holder and tightened there. Do this by raising the ram to the highest position, then screw down the size die until it contacts the ram. (with the shellholder in place), then tighten, Check setting by raising and lowering ram. Make sure there is no binding.
2) Your oal is too long, reduce to about 1.25 area.
3) Your crimp die probably needs to be raised to keep from crushing the case. This could be the reason for the buldge. Re check the die setting instructions for that die. It should not be toutching the shellholder. Most are set with the cleaarance of a nickel when lowered. Set by placing a nickle on top of the shell holder and lowering the die untio it toutches. Lock it there.
4) Try these and post back the results.
5) Load 1 at a time until you get 1 to fit into your barrel with the barrel out of the gun.

[Keltyke]

Originally Posted by rayikeo2

Larry, I picked up 2 or more mistakes you are making. 1) the resizing die needs to be lowered back down to tutch the shell holder and tightened there. Do this by raising the ram to the highest position, then screw down the size die until it contacts the ram. (with the shellholder in place), then tighten, Check setting by raising and lowering ram. Make sure there is no binding.
2) Your oal is too long, reduce to about 1.25 area.
3) Your crimp die probably needs to be raised to keep from crushing the case. This could be the reason for the buldge. Re check the die setting instructions for that die. It should not be toutching the shellholder. Most are set with the cleaarance of a nickel when lowered. Set by placing a nickle on top of the shell holder and lowering the die untio it toutches. Lock it there.
4) Try these and post back the results.
5) Load 1 at a time until you get 1 to fit into your barrel with the barrel out of the gun.

^^^^^ What he said. I crimp and seat at the same time. I set the OAL, then run the crimp down until it just touches the case, then maybe another quarter turn. You only need to crimp enough so the flare is removed. Most handgun cartridges don't need a full crimp.

[fredj338]

It's hard to tell form your description but you could be over crimping if the "bulge" is at or just below the case mouth. The sizing die is actualy fine backed off just enough to allow a sheet of paper gap. Then adjust the flare die so the bullet stnads on top of the case mouth. Seat & crimp only enough to straighten out the flare. The case mouth should measure about 0.471" after crimp. Yes, your OAL is too long, That is SAAMI max, most guns like 1.250-1.265" w/ LRN. You should be making all these adjustments w/ dummy rounds until you get soemthing that fits in your removed bbl, then hand cycled. When you get functional dummy rounds, then put primer & powder to them.

[1st Cav]

Over crimping on crimp die, crushing your case, Screw the sizing die back down until it touches, then 1/8 turn back out is what I us, to make sure case is getting full length sized. Raise and lower your ram to make sure it moves freely. AOL is to long. I always load no more than 2 or 3 than cycle them though pistol to make sure I got it right.

[Lopper]

45acp case dia. is listed as .480 this is a straight wall case if your case mouth is .453 you are way over crimping this should be in the .473 range as Fredj338 noted. A bulge is common at the base of the bullet. and if yours measure .459 that's still too small .459 - .452 / 2 =0035 so you doing something that is reducing the Dia. of the bullet as a 3.5 thousands case wall is not going to hold a bullet. Your numbers would have your cartridge not only going in the chamber but going pass the headspace cut in the chamber and into the throat of the chamber. Not good as thats lost of headspace and total lost of pressure control during firing if you could get it to fire. With all that your Cartridge overall length is too long and the bullet is stopping on the rifling. I no longer seat and crimp at the same time, and only taper crimp pistol cartridges. Factory loading machines seat and crimp on separate stations and believe if a factory could save the money a station costs they would. I don't know what your reloading experience is. I would recommend getting ABCs of reloading and study it. I also like Richard Lee's Modern Reloading. I've made just about every screwup one could over the years so please don't take this as chastising you. Have fun and be safe.