Bulge buster

[USMC87]

What is your opinion on the lee bulge buster kit? I know I have loaded glock fired cases in my autos without a problem. Just asking to see if you think the kit is a benefit.

[jondavis0904]

i bought the die kits that came with the lee factory crimp die. I also have a couple bullet sizing kits. I just use the factory crimp die that i have without the guts and use the catch container from the bullet sizing kits.. I just won't have the smooth adaptor that the bulge buster kit comes with.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I now use the Lee bulge buster kit on all the "unknown" 40 cases I reload.
I never had a problem prior to that, and I have read others say the same, but in the small chance that it could happen, I do it.
If you shoot a 40 with a chamber that's not fully supported and shoot stout loads, I'd highly recommend it.
Jon

[joec]

I use it for 45 ACP but it won't do 9mm as it only does straight walled auto style cases.

[gunoil]

i have a custom lee 9mm buldge buster kit I ordered. Push thru die up into the lil' red lee cup. I think its kinda a makarov guts or something makarov. Works good. I dont use it all the time. Too lazy! I want a dillon FCD for 9mm. The 40 cal bb kit is the one ya need most for range brass.

This is it , or may be my size die, still looks same.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k511/putt2012/E716707F-CF91-4724-8344-42E37038ECD3-16199-00000EA5A7AB157E_zps4e7ad400.jpg



xds45,sig938.

[USMC87]

So if I use a lee factory crimp die on my 550 will that work or serve the same purpose?

[gunoil]

What cal you shootin? If the case goes up in there enough. A match shooter friend, said: he turns (on the laithe) off some of the bottom of his dillon die. I dont know!

I think most use lee buldge buster kit for 40 s&w range brass that come out of glocks.

It take's a ton of force to push "some" of the range brass 9mm thru lee BB kit, and bout 3/4 of them go thru easy.

[USMC87]

I load 45acp, 40 S&W, 9MM luger, 380acp.

[Lloyd Smale]

i bought the redding die for 40s. Its the steal one and i wish i would have opted for the carbide one looking back. there pretty much a necessity if a guys going to use range brass or shoots a glock.

[jondavis0904]

So if I use a lee factory crimp die on my 550 will that work or serve the same purpose?

Yes, all you have to due is pull the inside of the die out and run your cases through it. can either catch them by hand or use something else. You will need a punch of some sort to push the cases through the die, this is where my bullet sizing die kit comes in, I just use the punch and catch can from that.

All the bulge buster kit consists of is an adapter that screws into the top of the factory crimp die after you pull the insides out, the case punch, and the catch container. the adapter just makes it so that the case doesn't catch the threads on the inside of the die, I just take my time and watch what i'm doing to prevent that.

As far as people saying they use it for 9mm, I though lee said it wouldn't work for 9mm due to the case being tapered?

[USMC87]

So I assume that I can use the fcd for 40 S&W cases only? Is there no need for other calibers, 380 acp, Or 45 acp?

[USMC87]

Put it back up for more comments.

[7of7]

I have one, for my 45 acp... I used to pick up quite a bit at the range.. clean it and push it through... works great.. but now, I don't worry to much about it since all of it has been through it once... unless I pick up more at the range.. I even made my own punch to use that is a little longer than the one that it comes with.. it now pushes them way up through.. of course, I also use it to size lead bullets..

[LabGuy]

I have a Lee Bulge Buster kit and Lee Factory Crimp Die for 45ACP and 380ACP. I also have a carbide Redding G-Rx set for 40 S&W. The Redding is an excellent tool and a pleasure to use. The Lee system works. I run my range pick up through them. I got the 45ACP after I had a few sized cases fail in a Lyman case gauge. Problem solved. I guess I got the 308 for the heck of it. For range pickup, I remove primers, tumble with stainless steel, and run through the bulge buster or G-Rx. So far with my firearms I do not have to run any of my brass through these dies, only range pickup.

[jondavis0904]

So I assume that I can use the fcd for 40 S&W cases only? Is there no need for other calibers, 380 acp, Or 45 acp?

You have to use the FCD for the caliber for which it is designated. So 40 s&w fcd for 40, 45 acp fcd for 45. ect ect.

[USMC87]

Do you need to size after bulge buster or use them right out of the buster?

[gunoil]

lee says you can run live ammo thru bb kit , i have done it lots!

[edit to my above post from last week]:

@ friends last nite, he runs dillon 1050.. He gave me around 90 9mm montana gold r.n.. I brought them home, and 60% would case gage,, other 40% i had to run thru lee bb kit first. Then all 90 shot this morning great.

Another lesson for me.

[LabGuy]

Yes, if you don't size you will be somewhat short on neck tension.

Do you need to size after bulge buster or use them right out of the buster?

[Bonz]

I bought the Lee BulgeBuster but was disappointed with the .40's

I bought the "undersizing" dies from Evolution Gun Works but the cases look funky (ripple at base of projectile) after loading

I bought and am very happy with the Redding Carbide "de-glocking" die on .40's I will just use the Lee BulgeBuster for other than .40's

[engineer401]

I've used the bulge buster for the 40. It does leave that funny ripple at the base Bonz references. I haven't used it much and may not use it again as my needs are limited. I don't own a Glock and don't plan to. I have plenty of 40 brass so I won't run out any time soon. I also prefer the revolver these days.

[USMC87]

I don't like the dimple factor on my brass, Could that be solved by using a longer stem in the press and insert the case rim first?

[engineer401]

I don't like the dimple factor on my brass, Could that be solved by using a longer stem in the press and insert the case rim first?

I've wondered the same thing. It makes sense. I don't have a metal lathe and don't think it would be worth the money to pay someone to make the part.

[USMC87]

My friend has a hydraulic shop half mile down the road, I'm gonna make a long stem and try it out.

[jondavis0904]

My friend has a hydraulic shop half mile down the road, I'm gonna make a long stem and try it out.

Sounds good. Report your findings

[Iron Mike Golf]

USMC87,

You asked about 380 Auto. I reload for that a goodly bit. One thing I have found is that some headstamps (Federal, Magtech, S&B) of brass will begin to crumple during expansion. I get a small bulge midway down the case. Most of the time, this is just cosmetic. Sometimes, I do need to nudge the slide to return to battery. That made me get a 380 FCD and bulge buster kit.

I use the bulge buster as a last step for those cases when loading jacketed (batches of 200 or so). I avoid those headstamps for cast.

edited to add:
I run assembled 380 rounds through the bulge buster.

[David2011]

I don't like the dimple factor on my brass, Could that be solved by using a longer stem in the press and insert the case rim first?

Lee makes an extended stem for $3.50. It fits in place of a shell holder. You can set the case, mouth up, on the stem and push it through a die. http://leeprecision.com/sizer-punch-.401.html

All of my range pickup and used purchased brass goes through a push-through sizer before I load it with the primer still in place. I don't see any reason to size it again but since I load .40 on a progressive press it goes through the sizing die anyway. It gets decapped at that point. I use a Dillon case gage to check .40 and .45 ACP and the Glock bulge definitely fails that test on the .40s before I started push-through sizing.

The Lee FCD might resize your boolit rendering it too small and cause leading. They make them for many calibers.

David

[USMC87]

If I do the bulge bust it will be done before loading, I load on a 550 and will just leave the sizer in place.