Bullet seating inconsistencies with less single stage?

[Cameron SS]

Hi guys,

I am a fairly novice reloader, however, I enjoy it quite a bit and have gotten some awesome results tweaking various loads for a couple rifles. I started out loaded with the Lee anniversary kit and it has been pretty good. I upgraded to an arsenal digital powder scale and a few other little niceties, but that's about it.

I have noticed though, when seating bullets, I can do a run of maybe 5 cartridges say, for a 3.68 COAL, but some will measure out 3.685, 3.682, 3.688, etc. As in, there is some variance. I know I am somewhat splitting hairs, but is there a way to get some more precision out of this, as in 100% consistency? due higher end presses achieve this?

I think being anal about these things kind of goes hand in hand with reloading, at least that's what I am finding.

Mike.

hmm. Polymer tip on the A-Max should be pretty consistent. Have you tried measuring the projectiles on their own to see if they have a consistent length? If the projectiles aren't consistent to begin with, then they probably won't be any more consistent when you start adding other variables.

In my experience, even low end dies are pretty consistent with seating depth as long as all the bits are snug and tight.

My 40 dollar RCBS dies are no more consistent with seating depth than my 200 dollar Redding competition dies when using the same brass and bullets. The Reddings are just much nicer to work with.

Using a HPBT MK i used to get upwards of 0.005' to 0.008' variance when measuring from the tips. Same loads measured from the ogive yielded typically not more than 0.001, unless there were concentricity issues with the case neck.

Its important to know that OAL of a cartridge only matters at all when it comes fitting the rounds into a magazine. Otherwise its mostly an arbitrary measurement as the tip of the bullet should never really come into contact with any part of the firearm. From a ballistic performance point of view, the more important measure is a consistent distance from the top of the bearing surface length of the projectile to where the rifling begins in your bore. Most shooters hone in on the distance from rifling to bearing surface of the projectile as the secret sauce of tuning your load. "seating into the lands" is when you set your seating depth such that there is 0.001' or so of rifling engagement while the round is sitting in the chamber. Some factory chambers are cut with the rifling so far away from the chamber that this is next to impossible, but I feel like we are now getting into dark art territory...

 

[Mystic Precision]

Hi guys,

I am a fairly novice reloader, however, I enjoy it quite a bit and have gotten some awesome results tweaking various loads for a couple rifles. I started out loaded with the Lee anniversary kit and it has been pretty good. I upgraded to an arsenal digital powder scale and a few other little niceties, but that's about it.

I have noticed though, when seating bullets, I can do a run of maybe 5 cartridges say, for a 3.68 COAL, but some will measure out 3.685, 3.682, 3.688, etc. As in, there is some variance. I know I am somewhat splitting hairs, but is there a way to get some more precision out of this, as in 100% consistency? due higher end presses achieve this?

I think being anal about these things kind of goes hand in hand with reloading, at least that's what I am finding.

Mike.

For measuring to the tip, that is actually very tight. Measure to the ogive with a comparator and you will get a far better answer.

So far, it looks like your process is working.

I would put far more emphasis on accurate powder charges.. THAT will have a huge affect on your accuracy.

Good luck and let us know how that ammo shoots for you.

Jerry

PS I started and continue to use the Lee Breech lock challenger press for all my match ammo. The press works very nicely... and I actually feel it has several positives over larger presses.

 

[bigedp51]

+1 for measuring the ogive, you will always get variance measuring COL

In simple English the seating plug always contacts the same point of the bullet diameter when seating bullets. Plastic bullet tips or the exposed lead tip can cause variations in bullet length.

Also check your seater plug for debris, normally all my OAL variations are caused by the bullet tip. I had a similar problem with plated 9mm bullets and the seating plug designed for thicker jacketed bullets. I was getting a large ring around this plated pullet during seating. And by changing the seating plug to a better shape the problem was eliminated.

Many die manufactures if you send them three of your bullets, they will make a custom seater plug for you.

Life was much simpler before I bought all my gauges and started finding "minor" deviations that give you needless things to worry about.

I will always remember what a British forum member said in a Enfield forum when we were talking about minor reloading problems.
The British member said "Just shoot the bloody thing".

 

[Eaglelord17]

Another thing which I am surprised hasn't been mentioned, is the quality of your measuring device also has a effect on your readings. If your using a cheapo Mastercraft digital vernier you will have different results each time, rather than a quality Starrett or Mitutoyo vernier.