Redding 40 S&W Sizing Die - Part 2

M

markr6754

New member
I hate to return to an old thread...but it appears that I may not have been so wrong about my Redding 40 S&W Resizing die.

My original problem was related to removing the "Glock" bulge...as I was merely trying to resize these once-fired, cleaned and polished cases. Even after passing through a Redding Push Thru 40 S&W die, these cases still don't fit in my Lyman loading block.

I never went any further. So last night I decided it's time to load my first 40 S&W. I sorted out all 1500 cases (anal, I know), then attempted to flare/expand and prime a few. As I was testing the fit of my Berry's 40 Cal (.401) 155gr Flat Point bullets, I discovered that I could push the bullet all the way into the case. In other words...with just the smallest expansion I can seat bullets by hand. Then I resized the case again, but didn't flare the case...and I can push the bullet to the bottom of the case by hand. Is there a way to tell if my Redding Die is an OVERSIZED die"

I measured multiple bullets from this newly opened box. They all read exactly .401...every one I measured. Is this the wrong bullet for 40S&W?
 
In the past I saw considerable variation in 40 S&W brass wall thickness. Try sizing several different brands of brass and see if some are tight enough to prevent seating a bullet into the case with thumb pressure.

I don't think you can get a suitably accurate reading on the sizer with calipers. Pin gauges are a proper tool for that.
 
markr6754 you said

"Even after passing through a Redding Push Thru 40 S&W die, these cases still don't fit in my Lyman loading block."

Are you saying you used a regular Redding sizing die and then to tried the Redding GRX push thru die?
 
snakeye said:
markr6754 you said

"Even after passing through a Redding Push Thru 40 S&W die, these cases still don't fit in my Lyman loading block."

Are you saying you used a regular Redding sizing die and then to tried the Redding GRX push thru die?
Click to expand...
snakeye, that's right. I resized my brass using my Redding 40 S&W Resizing die. Most of these resized cases did not pass my Lyman Loading Block test. Posting back in July I was advised to get the Redding GRX push thru die at a cost nearly twice that of my loading dies...but hey, it's only money, right? So through the GRX every case went...so second handling of 1500 cases. Then, according to the GRX die instructions I had to pass them AGAIN through the standard resizing die...which I did. 3rd handling. Amazingly...over 80% of these cases still did not fit in the Lyman load block. No worries...again as recommended by forum posts I performed a plunk test in the barrel I'm planning to shoot....a Berretta APX Storm. Amazingly, they all plunk...all of them, though I didn't test 1500 cases...just a representative sample of pass the Lyman, don't pass the Lyman. Everything plunks in the barrel.

That's where I let everything sit...as I wasn't ready, then, to actual load any rounds.

Last night I decided it was time. And I'm back to square one.

See some pics:
 

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  • Sample Resized 40 S&W Plunks.jpg
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  • Redding 40 S&W Resizing Die Inside Diameter.jpg
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  • Hand Seated 40 S&W Bullet After Resizing.jpg
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markr6754

The Redding GRX push through die only removes the bulge near the bottom of the case and doesn't resize the case that's why Redding recommends running the case back through the sizing die gain. I found this description of the GRX

"This Push Thru die is designed to completely eliminate bulges near the case base, common in 40 S&W brass. By passing the case completely through the dies, the bulge is removed and the brass may be returned to service."

I would suspect your sizing die is the real issue. And you need to call Redding a discuss this issue with them..... I say this because my experience is on Lee dies and bulged 40 cases. I resize my brass during the loading process then I check all the loaded 40s with a case gage and I catch bulged cases, so I run those that check bad thru my Lee Bulge Buster (works similar to the GRX) and then I'm good. I do visually check my 40 cases when sorting and run bad ones them through the bulge buster before I load, but a lot of them are not really noticeable until I gage check them. Never heard an issue like you have.

I'm sure you checked that the resizing die is setup properly so I would call Redding your sizing issue with that die should not happen.
 
Loading block? Do you perhaps mean a cartridge gauge? In my shop a loading block holds a number of cases ready for the next step.

Any road, it is time to call Redding. They may want samples of your brass.
 
I retired a batch of 45acp brass for similar reason. They couldn't hold the bullet after resizing. They belonged to my friend's late father. Needless to say they had been loaded countless time. The brass near the mouth had been work hardened, so it bounced back more than usual after resizing. I could have tried annealing, but why?

Some brands have thinner wall than the other. It makes it worse.

Since you wouldn't mind sorting through more than a thousand brass, maybe you do another one to pick out the ones with thicker wall.

-TL

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
 
Jim Watson said:
Loading block? Do you perhaps mean a cartridge gauge? In my shop a loading block holds a number of cases ready for the next step.

Any road, it is time to call Redding. They may want samples of your brass.
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Sorry Jim...I don't know when I started mis-naming this product.

Handgun Ammo Checker (#7833000) Fits: 380 Auto, 9mm Luger, 38 Super, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 38/357, 44 Spl/Mag, and 45 Colt

In every other caliber, cases don't check, I resize, they check. Not the 40 S&W. Case doesn't check, I resize, case fits a bit lower...but still doesn't check. I've been told that this ammo checker isn't reliable...but it's sure been spot on for me.

I'll contact Redding. I've got 1500 40 S&W cases...maybe 200 pass the ammo checker. They can have as much as they want.
 
As a point of reference, I have a 40 S&W Lee sizing die that measures 0.416" with a pin gauge.

SAAMI lists a finished case diameter of .423". A sizing die will typically size several thousandths less for good bullet fit. And the flat portion of the expander is usually a few thousandths less than bullet diameter as well for the same reason. Do the sized cases slide easily over the flat part of the expander? They should not.
 
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Jim Watson said:
The next thing to try would be some different brass.
Buy a box of econoball, shoot it, and resize it.
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Good thing is...I already have some once-fired brass from the Beretta PX4. I keep saying APX in previous posts...it's PX4...son's gun. He's selling it to me to get funds for an APX Storm...which we don't have as yet.
I didn't even consider checking them...until now...sometimes the obvious. Okay...so this is clean, decapped, wet tumbled, unwaxed WIN and CBC Brass. Exact same issue. Smallest resizing is .421" Most size to .422" to .4225", who knows why the variance?!

Waiting on a response from Redding...emailed pictures to engineer. Actually, ready to buy set of Hornady dies. If I knew anyone nearby I'd borrow a sizing die. At this point I've lost all confidence in Redding dies. Super expensive...so one would never expect this. Maybe they installed a decapping pin in a factory crimp die...except I see no crimp ring.

On another note...I just realized that I have more resistance resizing 380 cases than I do with 40 S&W cases.

BBARN - to answer your question...yes. In fact I don't even feel the Expander unless I really dial it down. In order to expand the case just enough for the bullet to sit at the mouth I raised the ram and turned the expander adjust screw by hand and could push it right into the case...no effort. Of course, then the bullet drops to the case bottom if I blow on it (slight exaggeration).
 
Sounds like the ID of the sizer is too large, as you originally thought. If so, I suspect Redding will make it right.
 
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