abigger04 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I've been reloading with a Hornady LNL using the Hornady size die and Lee FCD. My latest batch show a bulge near the top of the case (see the picture below). How do I resolve this? The bullets feed fine and fire without problem, but the cartridges look unusual. Loading 124 gr at 1.165" for 9 major. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 That’s too much crimp. Loosen up your crimp die. You should set your crimp die to just remove the belling or flare or around .377”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abigger04 Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 That's a good eye on the crimp George, I didn't catch that, but with regards to the bulge, you're undersizing the case with your size die, the the bullet is stretching it back out again as it seats, no problem there, it will help prevent setback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 You don't want to lose the bulge at the bullet base, that is normal and shows optimal case neck tension on the bullet to prevent bullet setback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abigger04 Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 I see. I'll check crimp shortly. Thanks, fellas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 You said the cartridges "feed fine", and if they are still accurate, then there's no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyman1876 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I posted a thread about this not long ago. My problem ended up being that bullets were being seated crooked with the hornady seating Die. I bought a Redding competition seating Die and 100% of my problems went away. Here’s the thread if you’d like to read it. https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/263232-problem-with-9mm-bulge/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abigger04 Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Thanks, I’ll read it. Conversely mine do not fail the plunk test and seem to gauge fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Watson Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 This is known as the "coke bottle" effect and only shows that your case ID was sized down to well below bullet diameter. It is good because it prevents bullet setback, especially with light short bullets. I use the EGW "U" die to generate the narrowing whenever loading bullets lighter than 135 gr 9mm or 230 jacketed/200 cast .45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdude Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 If the bulge is asymmetrical - larger on one side than the other - the bullet is seated a little crooked. As noted, a Redding Competition seating die is one of the better ways to prevent this. If the bulge is symmetrical, it's not crooked, and as noted, is normal and desirable to indicated good neck tension. FYI, crooked seated bullets don't appear to affect accuracy very much in some guns at typical pistol distances: https://americanhandgunner.com/exclusive-crooked-seated-bullets-and-accuracy/ But crooked bullets might produce problems chambering in tight chambers, or if they are extra crooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyman1876 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 That was exactly what I was experiencing. There was no problem with accuracy but I had a large % fail case gauge because of being seated crooked. Not to mention it just made the rounds look like crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxbat Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Round looks fine to me, I actually like the tiny chamfer on the case mouth, no problem there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncie21 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 posting before the 'FCD is the devil' crowd arrives :) As others have posted, your cartridge looks fine. Little bit of 'coke bottle' from your sizing die, but if it is accurate and feeds well, what is there to fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abigger04 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 I just wanted to make sure I was reloading correctly. This is my first year at it. Thanks for all of the helpful feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4n2t0 Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 Normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hceuterpe Posted August 2, 2018 Share Posted August 2, 2018 To whoever suggested Redding competition seating die: Be careful with that. he mentioned he's loading major. Those seating dies aren't meant to load compressed charges, including the pistol seat dies. Doing so can void the warranty. They even include a slip of brightly colored paper in the die box, warning the buyer about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 First of all, it is impossible to over crimp with a Lee FCD. Secondly, all non-vertical bullet seatings can be eliminated by using a Mr. Bulletfeeder two-step expander/funnel. It works much better than the Hornady PTX. Just make sure to tell him you want one for a LnL, otherwise he'll send one for a Dillon. The wasp-waist is precisely what Dillon sets their dies up for. It helps feeding and resists bullet setback. It looks weird but does not affect accuracy or performance. As long as it drops in and out of the chamber checker, don't worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abigger04 Posted August 5, 2018 Author Share Posted August 5, 2018 Thanks for the detailed explanation. Reloading has not been so intuitive but with the help of the forum and YouTube I think I’ve got it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigedp51 Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 (edited) Your wasp waisted cases are normal on a pistol case, lay a straight edge the length of the case and check the crimp. Below you can see the slight taper crimp, if the case is over crimped the straight edge will be resting on a bulge just below the case mouth and crimp. Meaning you would see more daylight around the bullet. Wasp waisted, think of loose fitting pants that are too big and tightening a belt to hold the pants up. Edited August 7, 2018 by bigedp51 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diversmith Posted September 15, 2018 Share Posted September 15, 2018 On 7/9/2018 at 2:26 PM, muncie21 said: posting before the 'FCD is the devil' crowd arrives As others have posted, your cartridge looks fine. Little bit of 'coke bottle' from your sizing die, but if it is accurate and feeds well, what is there to fix. I'll second this. If they pass the gauge and feed in your pistol, and are accurate, there is nothing to worry about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpoobah Posted September 15, 2018 Share Posted September 15, 2018 Hi: The way to fix the case bulge on any round is a) to throw the case away, or b) use a Case Pro 100. The inexpensive "U" die, etc., helps but the Case Pro rocks. The other solution is to buy once reloaded brass from Kenny Marx and throw away the crap you pick up. Good luck, Grandpoobah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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