Seating problem

Cerdan

Cerdan

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As absurd as this may sound, I can't get the bullet seated deep enough, even with the bullet seating stem at its lowest possible setting.

I'm loading .223Rem for the first time, I'm looking to get an OAL of 2.200" and the shortest I can get'em is 2.227". I figured I could sand down the top of my shellholder, but it's taking longer than I expected to file off 0.027" of steel and even after taking off about ten thou, I still can't seat the bullets any deeper... I'm using Lee dies, BTW.

So am I missing something? Should I just get a better seating die?
 
The only way I can see this happening is if the bullet is extremely short eg, 46gn RN??, in which case I don't understand why you would want an extremely short OAL? Seating the bullet just off the lands is more accurate, no need to seat extremely short unless your mag is restricting OAL?
 
Three things:

1. Are you sure you want an OAL of 2.200? That seems overly short, most OAL values for stubbier bullets like the 55 GR fmj or light varmint bullets usually quote 2.260, what you're trying to do is 60 thousands deeper than that.

2. If 2.200 is really the OAL you are after, is it possible that you have not adjusted the die deep enough into the press?

3. If 2.200 is really the OAL you want/need and you've confirmed correct adjustment of the die in the press, it is possible that the die just can't go any deeper than that. I'd suggest you contact Lee and ask them before you start grinding the die.
 
Seating die

Too funny, I did the same goddamn thing last week. I take it you have never used Lee Dead Length Bullet seating die before?? I never read the directions either!!:eek::eek::eek:
With this seater die "screw the die in until it touches the shell holder-then turn it 1/4 turn more."
Unlike RCBS and Redding dies you want to back off the seating die, so as not to crimp your case, the Lee dies work differently. Hope this fixes your problem, it fixed mine. Did ya start getting mad like I did!!???:D:D
 
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Thanks for the responses. So the consensus seems to be that 2.200" is way too short, which is surprising to me for two reasons: First, the American Eagle 55gr. FMJ I've been shooting measure 2.200", and second, 2.200" is the recommended OAL for that given bullet in the Hornady manual (I'm using Hornady 50gr. V-Max).

CyaN1de, not really, just that these are my first .223s, my first rifle cartridge loads actually so I wanted to stick as close to published data as possible for now.

mmilne, the OAL of 2.260" you're suggesting is quoted as the max cartridge length in all the manuals I've read. Is it recommended to keep cartridges as long as possible so long as they fit in the mag?
 
blacktailslayer said:
Too funny, I did the same goddamn thing last week. I take it you have never used Lee Dead Length Bullet seating die before?? I never read the directions either!!:eek::eek::eek:
With this seater die "screw the die in until it touches the shell holder-then turn it 1/4 turn more."
Unlike RCBS and Redding dies you want to back off the seating die, so as not to crimp your case, the Lee dies work differently. Hope this fixes your problem, it fixed mine. Did ya start getting mad like I did!!???:D:D
Click to expand...

Actually I did read the instructions and it is set properly. I didn't get mad but I did curse Lee's name a few times for making such a sh¡tty die. :yingyang:
 
Die

;Must be something wrong with it then.. I was using 70 gr Bergers, one of the pointiest bullets there is. After all my cursing of the die, I was very impressed with the accuracy. My first five shots went into a 1/2".

P.S. - You actually read the instruction, and never got mad either? Your a more patient man than me!!;);)
 
I wouldn't worry about it, so long as you don't have feeding problems and the bullet isn't getting jammed into the the rifling lands when you chamber a round. Most rifles shoot best with the bullet just off of the lands, so that there is less of a gap for the bullet to jump when it is fired.
 
Again, I'm very new at rifle reloading, so bear with me here... This whole "bullet just off the lands for best accuracy" thing, does that apply to every type of action?

I always thought it was more of a bolt-action thing. I'm loading for an SL8.
 
Seating to the lands

Did you buy the LEE deluxe die set?? If you did use the neck sizing die for finding the lands. If you slowly turn the die down, sizing down the neck a tiny bit each time you will get to a point where you can fit a bullet in the neck by hand(hand fit it sticking out lots). It will fit tight enought to stay put, now take that round(no powder or primer either) and chamber it gently in your rifle. It will be tighter to close, but with the minimal neck tension it will force the bullet into the case. Extract the round and you will be able the measure your chambers maximum OAL touch the lands. This is only good for that particular bullet, you must do it for each bullet used as the ogive is different for each. Here is a video to help ya too.Watch part 1+2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhTUgytUGnM
 
Cerdan said:
Again, I'm very new at rifle reloading, so bear with me here... This whole "bullet just off the lands for best accuracy" thing, does that apply to every type of action?

I always thought it was more of a bolt-action thing. I'm loading for an SL8.
Click to expand...

It works for any rifle. You might have to worry about fitting the magazine before the bullets get close to the lands in some rifles, though.
 
Cerdan, wrap up a small wad of paper and use it to plug the bullet recess in the seating stem, this will provide you with a little extra bullet seating depth. Until the paper plug conforms to the shape of the recess and compacts, you may have to adjust your seating depth a couple of times.
 
Just checking my OAL length in a Tikka & see averages 2.23 to 2.24 for different bullets. I checked the Horn book & see they do list all bullets at 2.20, which seems strange in that surely all there various diff bullets don't have the same olgave point :cool:
 
Cerdan

Sorry, I spoke a bit too soon yesterday. I was looking at the Hodgdon manual last night and did indeed see they quoted OAL of 2.200 for several bullets. Sorry...

I'm also fairly new to reloading and what I did to start was load to the book OAL and find a powder/charge weight that worked for a specific bullet, then once I understood how to find where the lands are I started seating ### thou away from the lands.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Boomer, the thought had occurred to me, but I wasn't sure it would be consistent enough to be worthwhile... I'll give it a try!
 
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