Pass Thru sizing

[Rooster41]

I am new to the 10mm and will be reloading for it.  I am not new to reloading though. This 10mm is caliber #12 for me. Shadow has talked about pass thru sizing before. With that being said I got out the Lee Bulgebuster kit.  I run the brass through the sizing die and then through the Pass thru kit using the Lee FCD.  Some of them went in easily and some took some force (not much, but some).  Is it safe to assume that the ones that went through easily nad no bulge and the ones with force had a little bulge.  I just want to make sure I am using it right before I load them up. I did follow the directions that came with it, I just want to hear your expierences. Thanks. I am about ready to start loading some of these up.

[sqlbullet]

May or may not have been a bulge that caused the extra resistance.  Warmer loads are always tighter as the case head has expanded more in all directions.  I find that different brass behaves differently as well.  Starline brass usually runs the easiest, Federal brass usually takes a little more effort, assuming they were run with the same loads.

Easy way to check if you did it right is with a pair of calipers.  Just measure the case head.  The rim diameter should be .426" or less if it is returned to factory spec.  Mine are .424" after going through my FCD as a push through size die.

One other comment.  The bulge buster/push through size die is NOT a replacement for regular resizing.  I made this mistake and had about 300 rounds that had to go back through the sizing die.  The push through die, at least mine, does not properly condition the case mouth to have the proper neck tension on the bullet.  And no amount of crimp will fix it.

[DM1906]

Ditto, sql.

I have/use the bulge buster, too.  Not to correct a case, but create a base of uniformity.  It's used after normal sizing/decapping and measuring of the head/web.  I use it in an old (25+ years) Lee challenger press, as it has the best feel of any of my presses.  I could put them through with a Rock Chucker, or other boat anchor type press, but the lack of feel and additional force potential could allow bad brass to go unnoticed.  The Lee BB instructions and the site have a disclaimer/notice in regards to "Glock type" bulges, advising it should not be used to correct these.  What they mean exactly, and how they define a "Glock" bulge isn't clear, but I don't think they issue warnings for no reason.  It may or may not make sense, depending on how the terms are defined.

In regards to the Federal brass.... I notice that a lot, too.  It's especially noticed loading .380's.  They go in/out of the sizer like .44 mags, in comparison.  They also will almost always leave a bullet base bulge, while nearly all other common brands don't.  The cases are noticeably thicker, heavier, and once sized, have a significantly less internal capacity.  Round for round, all else being equal, they will typically shoot about 50 FPS faster.  The military Federal 9mm brass I have is the same way.

[Rooster41]

I only tested 5 casing to see how to use it.  These casings are more than once loaded.  I got them with the G29.  I assumed they were to be run thru the sizing/depriming die first.  I saw the warning about the "Glock Bulges".  I suppose its a CYA type of warning but I read it as a "belly" or a "smile".  If I dont feel comfortable with a casing I dont have a problem throwing it in the recycling bin.  As long as I can keep getting Starline brass from midway or brownells for $17.99/100. I initally ordered 300 and decided to order 3 more today.  Thanks for the input guys.  I try to research, read and ask as many questions I can before I start loading another caliber.  Theres only so much you can learn from the loading books. 

[sqlbullet]

You can get brass for 147.00/1000 direct from starline.  I like to keep 1000 loaded, whatever happens to be unloaded and 1000 bag un-opened.  I think I am about due to order actually.  I generally buy 2000 at a time.

[The_Shadow]

357Sig, glad you made the trip over here!  I had answered over on the Handloads forum but will add here to place the pass thru die as high as you can on the stroke to take full advantage of the top odf the stroke.

[Rooster41]

Thanks Shadow,  Im pretty excited to have a 10mm in the safe/holster now.  Ive been going back and forth with it for quite a few years.  Im pretty happy that I finally made the jump.  Alot of it has to do with my decision to get into the hobby/art/science of reloading. So it was a pretty easy decision to sign up over here.

sqlbullet, thanks for the tip. My dad shot my G29 and now he wants a 10.  Hes looking at getting a Witness Hunter.  My ammo is his ammo (as far as Im concerned) so I want to have plenty on hand for the both of us.