Do you need to swage 9mm SMG cases after many reloads?

[strobro32]

I wanted to know how many times I could reload my 9mm cases for my Stemple STG so I've been testing.

I selected 200 rounds factory loaded Fiocchi 158 grain ammo. I shot them through the Stemple STG SMG. I reloaded the brass 8 times so far with 3.7 gr. Titegroup, 147 gr. Everglades plated bullets and WIN primers.

After each shooting session I washed the brass in a Frankfort Arsenal drum and SS pins for 1.5 hours. I dry in a FA dryer for an hour @ 140 degrees. I lube the dried cases and run them through a Lee Bulge Buster kit with a 9mm MAK crimp die. I load them on a Dillon 650 XL with Dillon dies.


After the 7th and 8th reload, the primers are much more difficult to seat in the case. I've needed to use my Dillion Super Swage to open up the primer pockets.

Is this normal for open bolt SMGs cases after reloading this many times? If not, I think the Lee Bulge Buster may be crimping my primer pockets when I push them up through the die?

 

[TheColtCollector]

This sounds normal to me. My 1050 swages it everytime but back when I was a type 3 this was true too. Chuck the pistol brass when it cracks

 

[strobro32]

I'm still waiting to split a case. I'm getting excited.

 

[Captain murrica]

Oh you reloaders, I envy your space and time. Someday.....been saying that for 10 years now, but young kids and a small dwelling aren't making it any easier haha.

 

[sniperdoc]

You take better care of your brass than just about anyone I've ever heard of,except those who shoot black powder cartridges.
I can't speak for OB FA,but at that many loadings,you're probably gonna need to measure your case length. They are probably getting close to max length now.

 

[sniperdoc]

Oh you reloaders, I envy your space and time. Someday.....been saying that for 10 years now, but young kids and a small dwelling aren't making it any easier haha.

My father's first "real" reloading bench was an old church pulpit! With the shelving inside, he had a bit of storage room too.
Before that, a reloading press bolted to a short piece of 2×8,2 C-clamps, and the dining table filled the role of "bench", as long as it was not being used at mealtimes.

 

[TheColtCollector]

You take better care of your brass than just about anyone I've ever heard of,except those who shoot black powder cartridges.
I can't speak for OB FA,but at that many loadings,you're probably gonna need to measure your case length. They are probably getting close to max length now.

No he doesn't. Straight walled case - he will be fine. I've got hot 44 mag reload that I'm over 20 with.

 

[sniperdoc]

No he doesn't. Straight walled case - he will be fine. I've got hot 44 mag reload that I'm over 20 with.

I'm only speaking from my experience with rimless cases in autoloaders.
The chambers of autoloaders are cut to larger dimensions than those of revolvers, thus allowing the brass more room to expand in length as well as diameter,especially in blowback actions,which would include open bolt SMGs. While, as stated,I'm no expert in reloading brass fired exclusively from OBs, it seems logical that they would suffer from this as well,which is why I recommend checking the brass.
It only takes a second to set your micrometer to "x" and slide your cases through. No harm in checking.

 

[strobro32]

After 8 reloads the case is on average .006" shorter than factory new.

I think this may be the result of the push through Lee Bulge Buster. The cases get pushed case mouth first and tend to "POP" through the die even with lube.

 

[strobro32]

I think I might have found the problem. The push through punch I was using is .302" diameter. I switched it with a .353". I think that should put less stress in the primer pocket area of the 9mm case. The smaller diameter punch was leaving circular depressions around the primer pockets on some of the cases, probably swagging them.

 

[sniperdoc]

That may be your fix. I haven't used the Lee Bulge Buster, but it's possible that it's causing the brass to "flow" under pressure. I've experienced similar displacement with bottle necked cartridge cases.

 

[Garrett]

That may be your fix. I haven't used the Lee Bulge Buster, but it's possible that it's causing the brass to "flow" under pressure.

Yeah, this.

Running brass multiple times through the Uzi and M11/9, I usually have the primer pockets start to loosen up. I've had some that won't hold the primer at all.

I usually have the rims get beat up to the point that the cases won't feed smoothly through the mag any more.

 

[wanneroo]

Have you tried loading without using the Lee Bulge Blaster?

To me there is no use torturing brass beyond what you need, so if regular sizing dies bring a case back into spec and the completed round fits a case gauge and works in any 9mm gun, then it's all good to go to me.

 

[strobro32]

I don't need the Bulge Buster for the Stemple STG chamber. I just wanted to make sure all the ammo I load works for all my 9mm firearms.

 

[strobro32]

I swagged all the test cases back to size. The primers inserted smoothly.

My guess is I will not need to swage again now that I'm using the .353" diameter Lee Bulge Buster plunger.

Back to testing. Still waiting for a case to split or the primer pocket to get loose.

 

[nayo]

I swagged all the test cases back to size. The primers inserted smoothly.

My guess is I will not need to swage again now that I'm using the .353" diameter Lee Bulge Buster plunger.

Back to testing. Still waiting for a case to split or the primer pocket to get loose.

I started to up my loads one day to see how hot I could get them!! After a while the flutes in the MP5 chamber started to really chew up the brass so I switched to the Sweedish K eventually got to the point that the primers where coming out like little crunched up beer cans destroying the primer pockets on there way out never got a cracked case....

 

[sniperdoc]

I started to up my loads one day to see how hot I could get them!! After a while the flutes in the MP5 chamber started to really chew up the brass so I switched to the Sweedish K eventually got to the point that the primers where coming out like little crunched up beer cans destroying the primer pockets on there way out never got a cracked case....

The only times I've *PERSONALLY * experienced cracked cases were
1) When I fired some 45ACP ammo that was cleaned up after severe corrosion due to being wet,in an S&W M1916 Revolver;
2) When firing a badly out of spec 6.5 Arisaka;
3) When firing an M1873 Springfield that had a corroded chamber;
4) When firing a Stevens 22LR from the 1890s (the action didn't fully close)

I personally feel,based on my personal experience, if you are using a modern firearm that is in spec,with modern undamaged ammo that is loaded to spec, your chances of a mishap are minimal

 

[strobro32]

This is odd.

After swagging and loading for the 9th time, I fired the test cases. On the 10th reloading, I did not run them through the Lee Bulge Buster. The cases were again difficult to set primers and still needed swagging. The edge of the primer pockets are too sharp.

I have never heard of the primer pockets getting too tight.

This will conclude my test. This brass will be left in the range bin next time they are shot.

Edit:
After more searching, I see that tight primer pockets are common. I just never read about it on T2 forums.

I'm glad I tested this. I learn something new everyday.

 

[Roaster72]

Oh you reloaders, I envy your space and time. Someday.....been saying that for 10 years now, but young kids and a small dwelling aren't making it any easier haha.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/553691/lee-classic-loader-9mm-luger

I loaded probably over a thousand rounds of 30/30 in a dorm room in college with one of these, a rubber mallet and a block of wood. The powder, primers, and all the equipment fit into a shoebox. I would sit with my roomates watching a movie and could easily load a round a minute. I did spook them a few times when I was overzealous setting a primer.

My first big boy press (a lee cast turret which I still use) was mounted on a scrap lumber contraption. It was like an L with the long leg on the ground and the reloader on the end of the short leg. I would sit on the long leg on the floor and run the press. The whole setup could be tipped up and put in the back of a closet.

So no more excuses, its time to start reloading.