Bullet seating problem

[Shooterjim]

I've been reloading 9mm for years but today I developed a problem. EVERY bullet I seat creates a bulge in the case. I haven't changed anything with the expander die or seating/crimp die (or anything else). I played with the seating/crimp depth but can't figure it out. Any advise?

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[TFA777]

How much are you flaring?
Does the bulge happen after bullet seating or when crimping?
Are you sure you're loading 9mm cases and not 380 auto?
Is there a ledge inside the case?

[Raiderh20boy]

What is the headstamp on the brass you are using? Any chance the brass is S&B 9mm. If so, that is the European marking for 380 which they call short 9mm. The 9mm brass from S&B is marked 9X19

[bohoki]

hmm what do your bullets caliper to?

if your bullets are .355 and that is happening on rem/fed/win brass

i would tumble the bullets with my car wax infused media should make them slip in easier

my 9mms always look a but "mae westy" but never a muffin top like that

[heavyhaulin818]

Too much case lube? I collapsed a 45-70 case last nyte because I had set the crimp and started to seat the bullet when something didn’t feel right. I had forgotten to back the die off and was literally pushing the bullet and crimp straight into the case. I quickly corrected my mistake and everything else went well.

[tabascoz28]

The cases look long enough. Maybe the die is a 380 die?

[Tommy Gun]

I'm actually loading up some 9mm right now. A few things to check as I have the same issue but for me it's negligible as when you resize the mouth will be slim for good tension.

Wrong Die (you said you have been reloading 9 forever so die should be in spec)

Wrong brass

Larger than .355 projectile.

Again mine show a little bulge but it still plunks fine.

[Peter W Bush]

how many firings on that brass?

What Tommy Gun said- either wrong die, wrong brass, or projectile is over .355

[racinjason233]

Use a micrometer to measure everything. Something on the down range side of the case needs an adjustment.

[Pablo5959]

When you adjusted the seating stem. You didn’t reset your crimp. Therefore your crimp is engaging your brass before the seating is complete. Therefore your brass buckles.

[bohoki]

i agree with all about the crimp is too much you got to back off the die

[Tommy Gun]

I guess I have the wrong dies. I always have a separate seating die and roll crimp die.

[pacrat]

I guess I have the wrong dies. I always have a separate seating die and roll crimp die.

9x19 para headspaces on the case mouth. So if you are "roll crimping" 9x19 para. You definitely have the wrong dies.

Pablo likely hit on the right answer.

When you adjusted the seating stem. You didn’t reset your crimp. Therefore your crimp is engaging your brass before the seating is complete. Therefore your brass buckles.

OP said; .... I've been reloading 9mm for years but today I developed a problem. EVERY bullet I seat creates a bulge in the case. I haven't changed anything with the expander die or seating/crimp die (or anything else). I played with the seating/crimp depth but can't figure it out. Any advise?

After a little more though. Without further input. Possibly OP is "batch processing" and skipped the second step. Other than very early RCBS pistol dies, that [deprimed-expanded-& belled] on the second die. All more modern pistol die sets. Size and deprime in first die. Second die expands and bells. Third, seats and crimps.

[Shooterjim]

Thanks for the feedback. Here's some more info:
Its not the wrong die (Lee 9mm carbide dies)
Its not the wrong brass (Win 9mm Luger)
The brass is once fired.
The bullet size is .355
The bullet seating is done with the same die as the crimp...I'm guessing Pablo5959 has the right idea. I'll back off the crimp and see how that goes.
I appreciate everyone's input

[ysr_racer]

Back off the crimp. I seat in one die, then crimp in a separate one.