thefish

Thanks chevyoneton. I am not familiar with the "Lee Bulge Buster". How does it differ from the "Push through" die I have from Redding? It is the same principle? I looked @the picture of the Lee Bulge Buster and it seems like it only would work on a Lee press. They also had a little disclaimer about using it in Glock fired shells. This is legal CYA stuff or is it worth losing sleep for? The same caveat would exist for shells run through their push through die? I mean, neither of them really fix the asymmetry of the shell wall thickness if it is re-fired in another Glock, right?

Yes, I realize that as well now. I've started a new batch and have instituted the changes. It only takes a few seconds if you stay on top of it. There are many benefits down the road. It answers a lot of questions when little inconsistencies arise. Thanks.

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question. I will keep a sharp eye out for cracks, splits, etc. In retrospect, I should have been more diligent about segregating the shells more strictly according to their age. Thanks, RIF

A two part question: 1) I have a batch (around 3000 cases) of mixed–manufacturer and mixed–age brass that were shot in various .40 S&W handguns. Probably 60% of them were fired in Glocks. The "oldest" shells in this batch have been fired and reloaded 10 times. The "youngest" shells in this batch have been fired only once. I use a Dillon 950 Progressive press and Redding die. I don't push the speed at all and I use 4.1 grains of TiteGroup and 180gr FMJ. The primer pockets have a nice, "snug" feel to them when I push the handle of the Dillon forward. I have had no problems whatsoever with feeding, firing or ejecting. My question is: How many times can I safely reload these cases? 2) Many of the cases, (I assume the ones that were fired in the Glocks) have a small bulge in them. As I mentioned above, in spite of the bulge, they feed, fire and eject w/out any problem regardless of the gun I put them in. When I first became aware of this "post–Glock bulge", I contacted Redding and procured a type of push–thru die designed to eliminate the bulge. I have not used it yet. This push–thru die, however, cannot be used on a Dillon progressive press. This bring me to my second question: Should I run all of the cases in this batch thru the Redding anti–bulge push thru die on my backup single stage press just to be safe? How many more firings do you think I can get out of this batch of shells? Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read this, RIF

I've been using Winchester small pistol primers for my Titegroup 180gr Montana Gold recipe for my Glock 35, 23 and Sig P229 for years. I love it and guess what, friends...I'm out of WSP primers! What would you guys suggest that would involve the least headaches and recipe changes (if I was able to get them) CCI? Federal? The people at Powder Valley say that Wolfe SP primers are "orderable" but admit there have been problems with their size. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance, RIF Hey, BTW, when is this insanity going to end ?!?!?!

McMillan makes a fine stock, I have several. I don't feel comfortable trusting the high density"foam" that they use in the action area of the stock. That's why my actions are on pillars. You never said if the rifle shot consistantly when in the Savage stock. If it did, the stock is where I'd look to. The actions screws should be torqued to 65 inch pounds. NOT Foot pounds! Thanks Dan. The rifle has always been in a wood stock. It came in the box with the Mac synthetic stock. It shot much better the week before, maybe 1" groups or so. Then a week of sitting on the table, then these really crappy results. You are suggesting that I pillar bed in addition to the Mac? Where to get the torque wrench?...a place like Midway?

My fault, a typo, correct bullet weight is 168gr. Sierra Match King, HPBT. The stock is synthetic MacMillan, no wood.

All responses much appreciated. But... 1) Looking at velocity data I provided, isn't that pretty tight? (Mean=2779 fps, SD=13, spread=2760-2807) Too tight to explain such wild pattern on target, isn't it? 2) Will check scope 3) What primer do you suggest I try next? (currently using Federal LR Match) 4) Don't know a freaking thing about pillar bedding. I can slide a $1 bill back and forth under the barrel w/o contacting stock. Stock is just bolted to action. Just regular off the shelf Savage. No extra work on it. Didn't think I had to. Initially shot "OK" w/.75-1" groups. How to learn if I need to pillar bed an how to learn how to do it if I need it? 5) Am also lost on "checking torque of action screws"...what should it be? Isn't there only one? Obviously, am pretty lost. Thanks in advance. Fish

Scope is a Nikon Monarch Gold, 5-20x.

Yes, I should have added that. All were on concrete bench w/Sinclair rests. I fired at same time in breathing cycle and at least believe I returned to same position. Stock is MacMillan synthetic. Not sure what is meant by "calling them". If you mean did I know what was happening...No. I could't see them until I looked thru the spotter when I was done with those 8.

I could get a picture, but it would take a day or so and will do it if you think it would help. To describe it, I shot 8 rounds at 100yds. The first was center but maybe 3" high from X-hairs. Then, they just printed in no particular order up and down an almost perfectly straight line that ran up to 5" high. Just imagine an "X-Y grid". They aligned all at zero on the X-axis and from 2" high on Y-axis to 5" high on Y-axis. No particular sequence in which they appeared relative to the sequence in which they were shot. Here is rest of data: Powder=43.5 Varget Primer= FLRM Case= Federal Bullet= Sierra MK 185 BTHP OAL= 2.810" Velocity= 2779 fps (with range from 2760-2807 and SD of 13) N value= 8 shots Barrel was NOT cold (and NOT hot) and had been cleaned about 30 rounds before that. It did it all afternoon with different charges of Varget but with same bullet, primer, case, OAL, etc., but to different extents. I absolutely can't figure out what caused this. Thanks in advance, Fish

I'm shooting a Savage Model 10 in .308 and was using a 43.5gr charge of Varget with a Sierra 185 BTHP. I got several targets with an almost perfect vertical pattern running in the center of the target and extending up for about 3 inches. Does anyone know what the heck is happening?

Yes, that makes good sense. Maybe I am trying to solve too many problems at once. Thanks. I'll try it. Are you suggesting any particular type of 230 RN? A JHP? A FMJ? Take care, Fish

OK, much appreciated. All of this started b/c I just can't seem to find a bullet powder combination that works in any of my .45's. I've tried Montana Gold 185gr JHP and 200gr JFP's with 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 gr of Bullseye and just can't get a group under 4 inches. Yes, you read it right, 4"! I feel like leaping off a roof somewhere. Can't figure out the problem. The 3 guns are: Glock 21-Slim, Sig P220 and S&W 1911. All I can figure is to try a completely new powder (Titegroup) with a completely new bullet. Any ideas anyone? Thanks

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Do any of you folks often find yourself wishing for an actual juried study carried out in a mentored journal using scientific techniques that would examine this? You know, one that might for example, look at 185gr, 200gr, 230gr bullets under different OAL/case capacity conditions, different powders, velocities, bullet shape, construction, etc.? I really enjoy all the experimenting a person does in reloading and the exchanging of info/experience in forums like this, but in the end, aren't we dealing with physics and chemistry?...something that is reliable and reproducible? How can so many people swear that their experiential base is best? Even in this relatively small topic of 45 caliber on this BBoard, you can find people that love Clays, others that swear by Titegroup with a 200 Raniers, 230 Noslers with Bullseye, etc. You get my point. I guess it is simultaneously the cool part and frustrating part of reloading. I often wish I could bring back JMB and ask him, "What would you do?". (hey, p.s.: anyone know a good JMB biography? the more I learn about him, the more intrigued I get. what an incredible mind, what a gift from God he had. I really rank his contribution up there with great composers and artists.)