I have a 2 die RCBS set that is only a year or so old. I am pretty new at this, have loaded up a few different bullets in the past month. I loaded some 75gr amax, and the seater left a little ring around the bullet, I read that there is a better seater to use for this length of bullet. I loaded every .5 grains from min to max in both Varget and IMR 4895, as that is what I have. Some of the IMR groups approached 1" but only at loads near 2600 fps. So I ordered some 75 hpbt and 60 gr Vmax, loaded 5 of each from min to max .5 gr increments with Varget last night. The hornady manual is very low wiht speeds and loads, I used the hodgon site for rec powder amounts. Both vmax and hpbt show compressed loads near max. Here is my issue:
As I loaded I set the seater for both bullets at 2.250" per hodgon specs (hornady also). As I reached compressed loads, my COL was getting longer, I adjusted the seater 2x more to make them go down. I noticed this morning that I have deformation near the bullet tip from the seater on the compressed loads. Instead of the curve of the bullet tip , I can feel a curved ditch all around the bullet from the seater. If I stayed in the hornady recommended powder loads, I would not be compressing these loads and have less deformation. Should I be changing my dies/seater? Should I be using less powder? I am still going to shoot them to test accuracy, but will the dents cause issues?
Also to note I am using nickel plated brass from winch ballistic factory ammo I have shot. They are not annealed, I seem to get jacket shaving on occasion with all the bullets I have tried, is there a neck tension issue?
The gun is a 20" 1/8" twist carbon wrapped ABS/Proof research barrel. Chamber is to SAMMI spec. I've tried dozens of factory loads. Winch 50gr ballistic tips are consistant at below 1". When I could get them, black hills 52gr match HP has shot 5 shot groups under 3/8" on several outings. I have some hornady 52gr bthp tried all loads in .5gr increments with varget and imr4895, only the imr had groups in the 1" range. Are these the wrong powders? On the web, I see lots of guys claiming great success, and I like the temp sensitive aspect of it, and I am developing loads in the winter that I would like to have work in the summer also. Any feedback appreciated.
As I loaded I set the seater for both bullets at 2.250" per hodgon specs (hornady also). As I reached compressed loads, my COL was getting longer, I adjusted the seater 2x more to make them go down. I noticed this morning that I have deformation near the bullet tip from the seater on the compressed loads. Instead of the curve of the bullet tip , I can feel a curved ditch all around the bullet from the seater. If I stayed in the hornady recommended powder loads, I would not be compressing these loads and have less deformation. Should I be changing my dies/seater? Should I be using less powder? I am still going to shoot them to test accuracy, but will the dents cause issues?
Also to note I am using nickel plated brass from winch ballistic factory ammo I have shot. They are not annealed, I seem to get jacket shaving on occasion with all the bullets I have tried, is there a neck tension issue?
The gun is a 20" 1/8" twist carbon wrapped ABS/Proof research barrel. Chamber is to SAMMI spec. I've tried dozens of factory loads. Winch 50gr ballistic tips are consistant at below 1". When I could get them, black hills 52gr match HP has shot 5 shot groups under 3/8" on several outings. I have some hornady 52gr bthp tried all loads in .5gr increments with varget and imr4895, only the imr had groups in the 1" range. Are these the wrong powders? On the web, I see lots of guys claiming great success, and I like the temp sensitive aspect of it, and I am developing loads in the winter that I would like to have work in the summer also. Any feedback appreciated.
