Weekend Preparation:.... fun stuff

 553, 38 Spc. Cases; Deprimed-Cleaned and ran through;XL650  station #1; ReSize ... ready for Powder and Projectiles.

Small differences ..No Functional impairments ..but "May" pose an unintended issue 1of 2

Brass: 38 Special .. Top 3 Federal-Winchester & CBC with shallower undercut.. Bottom 3 Starline with deeper undercut. ALL 100% for intended use.Minor Difference that may or may not cause a Reloader an issue. The small undercut vary in size and may interfere with loading cases in a Dillon XL650 Station #1 Locator. USE Locator #2

Processing 9mm Parabellum Brass:

Primer Loading Station Set-Up

 

Prime for Powder ...Processed on Dillon XL650 .. next Redding T7.. Powder, Bullet Seat then Crimp...

Time for a refill .. 45 Colt

Out of the vibratory cleaner, Full case sizing and deprime .. Clean Primer Pockets and ID-OD a light case rim clean-up..186 cases of 45 Colt.  I added a brush to clean inside of case.

45 Long Colt .. Batch # 2 .. finishing up case prep

We have 764 cases thu. full case re-sizing, de-prime and primer pocket cleaning.  Now its on to loading large primers

Interesting to note one lone 44 Remington Magnum case was commingled.  VERY difficult to spot.  On the left we see the lone 44 Mag.

I’ll be using the XL650 for the bulk of the cases. I’ll also run a 100 on the T-7 to see how the Primer Tube option works with the Lee Auto-Drum powder measure.

UPDATE … I removed the primer tube option from the T-7 .. too finicky.

45 Long Colt .. batching 750 cases, batch #1

With both (T-7 & XL650) set up and ready to go.  I’ve set-up to first pass clean 750 brass cases.

Dry tumble and separate out the media, it’s off to the 650 to De-Prime.  Once that’s done I’ll process through the case cleaning for a 2nd time then clean primer pockets. We have 360 cases with primer pockets cleaned.

Primer Pocket Debris

9 mm Tight Primer Pocket

Sorting through 9 mm range brass (3,000+ cases) .. these show up .. Primer Pockets are smaller diameter than “regular” 9 mm brass. In my current batch average pocket ID is: 0.1725” .. these two examples are 0.1690”  .. only 3 1/2 thou but noticeable when cleaning with reamer and wire brush.  Looks like a Winchester NATO stamp: Cross in a Circle and the 11 is a two digit date code. .. I’ll keep these separate for priming.

 For Ref the SAAMI Specs: Pockets and Primers:

Case Prep: 3,000 9mm cases

Processing range brass: sort, sort and sort again. I use Dry Media to Clean & Polish.  Currently Wet tumbling with SS Pins is in vogue, but here in So. Cal. best we use H2O wisely.

Standard Check List: Both Off and On Press .. this shows brass is ready for; Primer Pocket cleaning .. no case trim or ID/OD chamfer required.Steps 5 & 6  2nd clean & polish along with visual case inspection .. looking for: foreign matter, case defects etc..

See below: typical detritus / FOD found in range brass: Note: 380 cases are a real bugger if missed!!

First of 3 batches: Sorting tray made from 18” square of 1/2” ply and some reclaimed baby crib wood. Quick visual check .. this size tray works well.     All the cases ready for Steps 7 & 8Ready to process through the RCBS Case Prep Center, 20 years service with no issues.

Brass Re-Sizing .. A tool from Lee Precision

Lee Bulge Buster Kit  … This push through die adapter will remove the bulge rings that shell holder constrained dies simply can't reach. The Bulge Buster Kit includes:  extension sleeve, push through punch, catch container and complete instructions. Works with these rimless cases:  380 ACP, 10mm, 40 S&W, (357 Sig) 41 AE, 45 ACP, 45 GAP, and 45 Win Mag.  Supplier:  MIDWAY .. $15.79 .. Use as directed in combination with Lee Factory Crimp Die. (cutaway view shows a 38 Special Rimmed Cartridge, not a push through)

NOTE: Lee Factory 40 S&W Crimp Die is now with Bulge Buster Kit. Ready for use. USED for: 357 Sig Range Brass fired from a Glock

NOTE:  9mm cases are not able to be used in the Bulge Buster because it has a slightly tapered case and the rim is not completely flush with the case.  See how I manage Re-Sizing 9mm in Previous Post.

I’ve set this die in my Redding T-7 Turret Press .. Although not designated for the 357 SIG case. It can be used to Re-Size / De-Bulge, the Main Body as it is same dimensions as the 40 S&W,  OD: 10.77mm or 0.424”