I don\’t own a case gauge. I use the plunk test, only. That said, your loads still should pass the gauge test. You said that you increased the crimp and still had the same problem? Well, I think that is your problem – too much crimp. It can cause a slight bulge just below the case mouth. You don\’t need much crimp at all. Just enough to get the bell out, and possibly a little more to account for variations in case thickness and length. I try for a crimp of only 0.001\”-0.002\”. Also, if you are seating and crimping in the same operation, it can cause the same problem. Seat the bullet, then crimp.