Bullet run out 30-06

sdeering

sdeering

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Any idea what is normal for bullet run out on a 30-06? I guess 0 would be perfect, but what are you getting.

Short story below



I purchased Honady custom grade dies the other day for the 30-06.
I am getting about 15 thou run out on the bullet about 1/8 from the tip.

Once fired cases have been checked/ trimmed for length, chamfered, no neck turning and I’m using Hornady 165g interbond bullets.

I’m not too happy with the run out, I would like to get it allot lower. I’m using a lee turret press. This could be the cause but, I am loading 22-250 with an rcbs die set and am getting only 3 thou run out so the press must be fairly straight. Maybe the 22 cal. Is less sensitive to ram alignment. I know the press isn’t the meant for rifle but the brass seems to be resized very true.
I hold the shell primer end, in my lathe and true the brass to run within 1 thou then move my dial to the bullet and she aint so straight.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Stephen
 
I've never had a seater die cause any significant runout - usually if the brass is sized true, then it stays true. If you're using flat base bullets, you will want to chamfer the mouths.
 
Just for interest, try seating the bullet about half way, then drop the ram, rotate the case about 1/2 a turn, finish seating the bullet and then check the run out.

When I'm loading match grade .308 I usually do this as a matter of habit. Its a suggesting I read somewhere years ago.

Let us know what happens.
 
I tryed something like that but I turned small increments like 4 times pushing the bullet down a little each time. Not just 1/2 a turn. no difference.
I may try marking the casing to see if the run out is random or is always at a certian position related to the position in the press. It may point out the press is out of align.
I may have to get a rockchucker to try also. Off to the trade forum.

How close to 0 runout do you strive for match grade?
Thanks for the replys.
Stephen
 
You measure bullet run-out just ahead of the case mouth not near the tip.

Measure your run-out on both the case neck and about an eighth of an inch in front of the case mouth. Run-out there for hunting rounds should be less than .005" and preferably less than .003"

Also measure empty fired cases before and after sizing to see if there is a problem with your rifle chamber and/or sizing die. If the empty cases are not concentric than any run-out will be exaggerated after seating the bullet.

If the empty fired cases show less than .002" run-out on the case necks then your problem is probably with your seating or perhaps the bullets. (I have seen Hornady SST and Interbond bullets with "wobbly" tips before)
 
Hmmm interesting Boo. The reason I checked them in the first place is I rolled them on a flat surface and I could see that red tip wobbling quite a bit. I will check them just ahead of the mouth and see what we get.
Thanks BOO
 
Run out is most often the result of the resizing die's expander ball. You can isolate the cause by checking the runout of the case at various stages of the loading process.

First check the neck runout of your fired case. This measurement will reflect the trueness of your chamber.

Now, resize the fired case without the expander button in your resizing die, and check the runout again.

Finally check the runout when the case is resized with the expander button in place.

There are several remedies for runnout associated with the expander ball. One possibility is to abandon the expander ball all together, and use a bushing die. Another option is to have a die "chambered" by a gunsmith which reduces the neck diameter only enough to maintain a good grip on the bullet. This can be calculated by neck thickness X 2 + bullet diameter, but the disadvantage of this system is that is could marry you to one make of brass.

Another solution is to use your standard die without the expander button, then use a Sinclair neck expanding mandrel to obtain an exceptable neck diameter.

The first thing I would try though is to put a small "O" ring between the lock nut and the die body. This will allow the expander button to find it's own center, resulting in less run out. I also remove the shell holder spring retainer on my press and replaced it with an "O" ring so the shell holder floats rather then being held in one place.
 
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sdeering,
Try checking them close to the case mouth, I don't know anyone that checks at the tip. Check the cases right out of the gun, after sizing and after seating the bullet to narrow it down. One simple thing that is often overlooked is the bullet seater itself. If a bullet bottoms out on it's tip instead of on the ogive they aren't going to go in straight. It happens with very pointy tips most often. Take the die apart and try the fit. If there is any wiggle at all it's no good. The fix is to drill out the center of the seater stem so the bullet doesn't touch on it's point.
 
Awsome stuff guys. I never thought to check in stages. I did a little reserch on the net. I see rcbs has a runout checking toy that uses V-blocks to support the case as it is turned by hand. As I mentioned I am mounting the brass in the lathe holding it on the big end just by the material behind the extraction grove. I may have to make some little V-blocks as supporting the brass this way is a little different than what I am doing.

The way the expander is adjusted and tightened in the die, I dont think I can use an O-ring I will have a look. It has a semi thread that treads through the tightening nut. the nut is more of a collet than a lock nut.
I will get back.

You guys are a great help.

Stephen
 
Well its been a day. I checked emptys there about 1 to .5 thou out I would guess that’s ok.
I resized one without the expander and was doing some testing on how far down to resize. I read another post on oversizing. I forgot I cleaned the lube off of the brass and got it stuck in the die POS me.

So that’s about as far as I got I did get the brass out of the die but bent the expander during the event.
I did get it straight but I also fudged the shell holder. So I’m off to buy a new one.
 
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