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.45 ACP Bullet Bulge

kenn2050
I am still a newbie at reloading and just started reloading .45 ACP. I am using RCBS Carbide Dies on a Dillon 550 and am noticing a slight bulge in the case where the bullet is seated. The case measures at .465" just below the bulge and .471" just above the bulge. I have other reloaded .45 to compare it to and they seem to run .471" the entire length of the case. I am flaring the case slightly to allow the bullet to seat and the finished cartridges chamber fine but the bulge is only noticeable on one side and doesn't seem to be centered so it bothers me. The bullet I am using is a 230gr TMJ, I have tried two different brands and both bullets measure out at .451". Is it possible that the RCBS resizing die is making the case too small?
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • Rocky Raab
    That is perfectly normal for reloads. The sizer makes the case smaller than the bullet diameter, and the expander brings it up to just a bit less than bullet diameter to maintain a good grip. The bullet then expands the case as it is seated. But the section below the bullet heel stays the diameter that the sizer left it. Firing will inflate it all to chamber size.

    The reason you don't see that "hourglass" pinch in factory ammo is because they don't size and expand the brass. It is formed to the final diameter by draw presses.
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  • perry shooter
    Hello read the post just below yours about the strange 45 Colt loads . His sizing die is on the large side to load his brand of bullets and your is on the small side to load your brand of bullets. I would take your die any day of the week. Unless you are loading very soft lead bullets there should be no problem if you have soft lead bullets the tight case may size them down to just slightly undersize for the bore of your pistol and this CAN cause more leading in the bore then what you would otherwise get.
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  • dcs shooters
    I've loaded 1000,s of 45acp. on my Dillon SDB and get the same thing on some brands of brass. Doesn't seem to hurt the way they shoot.
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  • Wulfmann
    Just to reinforce the above that is fine and normal.

    I have done thousands of 45ACP and they come out that way and shoot fine

    Wulfmann
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  • kenn2050
    Thanks everyone, I got about 600 loaded... now if the weather could get above freezing I could go out and shoot.
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  • chaneyd
    As long your loaded bullets drop in your barrel without sticking, you're good to go. That's the case gage I use.
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