Bullet doesn't fit in neck?

Power Pill

Power Pill

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Im new to reloading, so if this a dumb question I apologize.. :D

Is it normal for bullets not to fit in case neck before being put in by the seating die? Im attempting to reload for 303 british using 180 grn .311 bullets. I try to set the bullet in the neck by hand before pushing it up into the die..but it always falls out of the neck..

Im using a set of lee dies on a lee anniversary kit.

thanks!
 
Yes, it's normal. The brass must be smaller in order to tightly hold the bullet in place. The difference in bullet OD and neck ID is called "neck tension".

I just hold the bullet in place as the cartridge goes up into the seating die, once the bullet is into the die body it can't fall out and will be aligned as it is seated.


Mark
 
If you're worried about your bullet not fitting the mouth of your brass, you could always chamfer the inside of the case mouth. That way your bullet will likely sit a little lower in the case and stay straight as you run it up in the die.

I chamfer when I reload lead bullets, otherwise the case might cut some of the bullet that's wider than the case.
 
I have to ask, are you doing the resizing step first? Yes a bullet should slide into a fired unsized brass easily but I don't know why your's would unless you forgot to resize the necks but if you didn't how did you knock the old primers out, put fresh ones in and fill the case with powder. Might help if you explained your procedure and we might be able to help you out. I'm only asking since you say you're new at reloading.
 
bedrock said:
I have to ask, are you doing the resizing step first? Yes a bullet should slide into a fired unsized brass easily but I don't know why your's would unless you forgot to resize the necks but if you didn't how did you knock the old primers out, put fresh ones in and fill the case with powder. Might help if you explained your procedure and we might be able to help you out. I'm only asking since you say you're new at reloading.
Click to expand...

I do the resizing step first
 
If you weren't loading for .303 (or 7.62 X 54 R or 7.62 X 39), I would agree with "carry on". However, the above-mentioned cartridges can be oddballs. Check your expander to make sure it is .311. Some (I have a set of lee 7.62 X 54) have a .308 expander, for use with .308 bullets. That being said, I have loaded .312 bullets into .308-sized necks with no problems. Just check the expander. You can buy one for a few bucks, but, if your bullets are seating properly, you should be good to go.
 
It is pretty obvious that he would not be trying to seat a bullet before resizing and depriming. He most likely isn't putting the powder after he seats the bullet either. Chamfering usually fixs your problem.
 
Read what I wrote Raton. I'd say Papa has it pegged. I haven't used Lee dies in years but if it's like RCBS or Redding I'd unscrew the expander, run a case thru it then see if it grips a bullet properly. Assuming it does then at least you've isolated the problem and you know what to fix. I use quite a few bushing dies and it's surprising what only a couple thou does to neck tension.
 
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