Restore Loose Primer Pockets, Bulge Bust Cases. 300 Blackout, 5.56
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- In this video I cover using a Lee 380 Auto crimp die to perform push through sizing for cases based on the 223 5.56 cartridge. This process will help restore loose primer pockets depending on how bad they are. 380 ACP factory crimp die is #90867 The bulge buster kit if you need it is Lee #90487
It is the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die with the Bulge Buster Kit that he is using. I discovered this when some 5.56 cases I was using didn't fit into the Lee Pro 1000 shell plate that I use to decap and size once fired brass. I had the Lee Bulge Buster set up on a single stage press already so I gave it a try. It does round off the case head as well as the bulged case. It actually repairs some extractor damage you find on some cases. The Lee Priming tool Shell holder (#4) is another tool that can be used as a quick check to see if a case is bulged. The bulge will not let the case into the primer tool shell holder. If it doesn't slip into the shell holder the case won't allow the bolt to fully lock in your AR platform rifles. I have done at least 500 cases this way and have not had a case fail when fired.
Mike A. Ladies and gentlemen enters the chat! I forgot to mention that it helps ones that have a hard time fitting in the shell holder, and it really does. Thanks for dropping in and sharing your wisdom and great find. I think this will help a lot of people. It already helped me with 300 blackout allot. I saved a bunch of cases that were headed to recycle... That bag I showed was only part of it.
Hi, which one would I use for 300 blackout in this kit please 380 ACP
10mm
40 S&W
41 AE (Use 40 S&W Factory Crimp Die)
45 ACP
45 GAP
45 Win Mag
@@marklayland5424 300 blackout brass is made from 5.56 brass. You use the 380 acp carbide factory crimp die with the bulge buster kit. It isn't necessary but I recommend using case lube on the cases to ease the effort to pass the cases through.
For checking primer pockets, the primer pocket go-no go gauges are WELL worth the price. I use it to adjust my pocket swager when removing primer crimps, in addition to it's intended purposes of just seeing if they're blown out or not. Thanks for the tip on the 380 crimp die!
I’ve had great luck with lee
Me too and the last set of dies I bought from them were the highest quality machining Ive seen from them. Really great to see.
Thank you so much, have so many cases I was ready to toss and just know this will work, now to go talk to my engineer/supplier for sizes for .270 & 30.06. Best regards ❤
Give it a try, see if you can save some. I put it out there but as always, I am a sample size of one. Hope it works for you.
That is a very clever idea! I never would have thought of it. Thanks!
Thanks, this was an unintended collaboration between myself and Mike A. He discovered this would solve the need for the RCBS small base dies. And I surmised that if it could restore case head dimensions it might solve loose primer pockets as well. The rim dimension is about .002 thousands smaller on a 380 Auto but its close enough to work with the 223 case and still within SAAMI spec of +0 - .008"
to say this is the greatest thing since, a reloading-press..is like saying THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA is just a fence !!! i can not tell you how many times i've tossed .223 brass into the scrap bucket. BUT NO MORE .THANK YOU X -10
Give it a try, see what you think. I havent had much feed back from someone who's tried it yet. As always, I am a sample size of one, but it works great on my end. Thanks for watching.
Great video and tip on .380 crimp die. thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching and commenting.
I use the RCBS pocket swage. I put the large primer pocket on and slightly squeeze the case, then use the small primer pocket swage and push it back to useable.
That's an interesting option
@@TreeTopFlier have done hundred of them. Works for me. Just have to be kind of light with the large swage.
@@TreeTopFlier it,s been working for😎
For years I've used a push through sizing die from LG Outdoors (made by Lee) for 223. It does not have a carbide ring in the die. What Lee discovered from folks bulge busting 9mm with a Mak die is that the carbide ring will split over time, so they switched gears and stopped supporting the process. If you FL size the case first, it passes through the push through die much easier. I learned that on my own and Lee CS confirmed it's the proper way to do it. The ID on the LGO 223 die is 0.376 where as the 380 acp is 0.374.
Thats interesting. Looks like the LG is made like the old bullet sizing dies. Yes the 380 die is just a tad undersized but its still with in the SAMMI +- for the cartridge. Not a bad idea to size first either although I'm surprised that they had some issues with the carbide ring cracking for this use. The 10mm die is designed for push through sizing glock bulged cases? I would guess it was more to the point that people adjusted them too low and caught the shoulder of the push pin and cracked it. Same thing happens on the sizing dies when people try to cam over on them. Carbide is hard but can be brittle. Thanks for the info and comment.
@@TreeTopFlier Cam over on the carbide die might have been the cause, but I would imagine it would have caused Lee to stop recommending other bulge busting as well. I haven't had any problems with 9mm after 5k+ done, but I also FL size first. I'm bulge busting 40SW, 45acp, 9mm & 223 on the APP. ... it's fast! Had a longer punch made for 223 to get complete push through with the LG die....
Freakin ingenious 👍 thanks for the tip 👌👍🍻
Thanks for watching!
I use the Lee 357 Magnum Factory Crimp die for my 300 Blackout cases.
you need a primer pocket guage - must faster than calipers. But your way works. You can buy a pin gauge to the max size you want .175 if it does not go in it is good.
For sure i could save some time with a go/no go concept but my volume is pretty light. And Im old school and prefer watching the dial move as i rotate the case. Cases dont actually always deform uniformly.
@@TreeTopFlier I do large batches of brass so I use the no/go gauge. But understand the old school. I am old school myself.
Ballistic tools makes a nice set of primer pocket gauges. Even has a pocket depth gauge. I gauged cases to find 20 with loose primer pockets before running them through the LGO 223 die and it brought loose primer pockets back in spec 100%. I've stopped gauging 223 altogether after adding push though sizing to case processing.
I use a Allenwrench as a go/ novo gage .
thanks for posting
Thanks for watching!
The 9mm tokarev die also works as a 9mm luger bulge buster. The regular 9mm die will not work because the regular brass has a taper that will nor allow the brass to pass thru
Have you tried it? The Lee crimp die for the tokarev, as I recall, isn't built like the straight wall dies. Its closer to a rifle die since its a bottle neck. The Tokarev cartridge is also tapered. Its basically the parent/cousin (Borchardt) case to 9mm and where it gets its annoying taper. If you tried it and it worked let me know pls.
Been thinking of doing this for 7.62x39 brass thats European because it's over .440 in diameter up to .445 and when try to convert it to 6.5 Grendel it causes "belt" problem. Didn't realize the side effect is going to be tight primer pockets!
Hi Dima, I guess I'm not the only one keeping an eye out for grendel brass. And yes the pockets will get tighter.
so by full length sizing FIRST then bulge busting, couldn't this increase the sized headspace? i've done this in the reverse order with .308 family cases and a 45ACP carbide sizer die. I've never done the 223 family cases.
You know, it's a fair question and I never checked. I don't think so because the carbide only contacts the last 1/4" or so of a sized case. 🤔 most of the sizing was already done. But it's worth checking.
Interestin ... and BTW Micing the case and pocket was how it was done before we got all fancy and lazy
I trust myself with a caliper more than gizmos. I really dont even like digital, I mostly just use them for the videos and checking headspace.
I must have missed it but what did you put in the shell holder to punch the brass through Thanks
The bulge buster kit comes with a piece that sits in the shell holder and will fit up into the factory crimp die to push the case through. It pretty much is the same thing they use to push lead cast bullets through a bullet sizing die.
Ok,I will check it out and thanks for the info, much appreciated @moushunter
Yes, as @moushunter stated, the 380 bulge buster kit designed to go with the 380 crimp die has a push pin or punch as they call it, in the kit that works for push through. You can also get a breech lock bullet sizer kit for, 9mm and it will come with a punch also. The bulge buster kit gives you a catch container which is handy. The punches are designed to fit right into the top of any standard ram like a shell holder. Thanks for watching.
Is there an option for used 6.5 Grendel or 6 mm arc for brass?
This was a useful accident so I doubt lightning would strike twice like that. The 40 cal 10mm die would be the closest to grendel but the 40 base is .014 thousands smaller. Its possible though if Lee has a relaxed measurement on the 40.
I wonder if a standard carbide 380 sizing die with the decapping rod removed would work as well ?
IDK, not sure if it would fit through where the collet nut goes for push through.
That was my thought too . I think I'll give it a look see ?@@TreeTopFlier
I havent had much if any feedback on this so let me know what your experience is. I tested it but ive been fooling around with other things lately.
No , it won't fit through where the collet nut goes , I checked @@TreeTopFlier
The 380 carbide sizing die probably doesn't have enough of an opening where the decap pin bolt screws in to allow the full case to go through. The Factory Crimp die has plenty of room for the case to go through.
Interesting.
Indeed the webbing dimension of 223 is 0.374 exactly as the head dimension of the 380acp.
I wonder what happens to the 223 head which is 0.378"?
I am a bit concerned about extractor engagement if the head surface is shrunk by 0.004".
Could you measure the 223 head after the procedure? Maybe it springs back?
When i measure a regular .223 case (Norma) that hasnt been through the die i get .374" at the web and .375-6" on the rim. Virtually the same as a blackout case put through the die. may loose .001-2" on the rim. The drawings say .376" but thats +.0 -.008. so that would be maximum. From experiance, Ive been measuring case heads at .374" for years. Also, ive fired these in a gas gun with so far, zero malfunctions. You've done your homework, thats good and keep in mind, this is a sample size of one.
@@TreeTopFlier
Thanks for the reply.
I've measured LC cases and they are in the 0.376-0.378 range. You are correct SAAMI specify 0.378"--0.010" so loosing 0.001-0.002 is indeed not an issue.
Thank you for the idea.
I guess Lee should add 223 to the compatibility list of the BULGE BUSTER KIT ;-)
Also, could be a slight variation in the way we are taking the measurment. I measured with two different calipers.
Hi, what is the recommended crimp set for resize a .308 case. Frank
I am not exactly sure what you're asking me but I will give it a try. This is mostly a 300 blackout video so I will assume you are asking about a 300 Blackout crimp die which is obviously for 308 caliber. That part would be Lee 90590. If by some chance you are asking about the 308 Winchester crimp (also a 308 caliber) That part would be Lee 90823. Hope this helps.
Sorry, l‘ll like to reset the P1 diameter of a 308 case as you handle your 300. Q: What is the correct Lee Crimp for these job. Regards Frank Germany
@@brione3412 As far as I know, there isnt one that works
Have checked out (Ballistic Tools) Swage Gage? Small primer pocket gauge?
Its a go nogo guage as I recall? To be honest, I have checked so many with calipers Im pretty fast at it now.
After you run it through the 380 die. do you run it through the full-length sizing die?
Yes, this only processes the base of the case.
Lol. Thanks you just saved me $52..on rcbs sb dies
In my opinion, most people wouldnt need small base dies and certainly not for every resizing. They size UNDER SAAMI minimum spec. So unless your having real problems with chambering I wouldnt use them. Over sizing to the max.
Best to FL size before push through sizing the base. Lee CS also recommends to bulge bust in that order.
Have you had any case head separation problems on the one's after? You've resized them a few times. I know a kneeling that part of the case is a no no, but would that help you ?
I've only ever had one case head separation on blackout and it was not sized with this method. I can't say I have done many of these over and over, I just don't shoot enough volume. So far, the ones I've sized this way have retained primers on subsequent reloads really well. I should also say all my brass is converted 223. Due to the taper in the cartridge the die only effects the last 3/16 or so of a sized case and not really in the normal head separation area. But, as always I am a sample size of one. So far, no one has reported anything negative??? Thanks for watching and commenting.
@TreeTopFlier one problem I have had with cases that have been reloaded a bunch of times is the neck comes off and gets stuck in the chamber if you ever have that happen good luck getting it out without the proper tool.