Issues with bullet seating...help!!

Mad_Mikee

Mad_Mikee

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I just started reloading for my 375 Ruger with a set of Hornady dies. I've always used RCBS or Redding and have never had any real issues to speak of.

I have the sizing die setup and working fine. All cases are resized and easily chamber in my rifle.

I've followed the setup instructions for the seating die but for some reason I've been destroying a lot of cases (but all of them)

I seem to see the necks being pushed in.

This is my first time using Hornady dies so I'm sure it's most likely a user interface (me) type of issue.

Here is a picture of a sized case, a case which bullet seated correctly, a case where the bullet is partially seated but the case neck is obviously pushed in and finally, a case where the neck is fully pushed in and the bullet wouldnt seat.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

375RugerCases.jpg
 
I would guess the inside piece is sticking and not being allowed to rise all the way up. I've only loaded pistol with Hornady dies, but taking apart my 243 one, thats my guess.
 
While I don't have any Hornady dies, normally the seating die is able to seat and crimp the case mouth to the bullet. If the die is turned down too far, the crimp will collapse the case if you attempt to raise the ram to its full height.

Begin by backing out the seating die, then run the ram to it's full height with a resized case in the shell holder. Now turn the seating die down until you feel contact with the neck. Once you feel contact, back the die out a quarter turn or so and lock it in place. You can now adjust the seating stem to seat your bullet to the desired length without fear of crushing the case.

I prefer to crimp as a seperate step once all the bullets have been seated. If you intend to crimp, begin by backing out the seating stem to ensure it won't touch the bullet, unlock the die, and with a loaded cartridge on the ram, raise it to full height. Now turn in the seating die until you feel contact, then adjust in quarter turns until you have the amount of crimp you desire, or simply turn the die in with the strength of you fingers only until it turns no further.
 
I agree, looks like the "step" inside the die that does the crimping is trying to crimp prematurely, try screwing the die almost out of the press and just using the top adjustment for seating depth, thereby taking the crimp function out of the picture.
 
That definately sounds like something that could be happening.

I wasnt planning on crimping at all.

If it matters, I took the die apart and the sliding sleeve inside the die seems to have a bit of a flat spot on it. Looks like a tooling mark.
 
I came across the same thing last night while loading for the 375 with new hornady brass. Ream the inside of the neck of the brass. There was a ridge on the inside of some of my brass that was shaving copper off the accubonds. I pulled the 2 bullets that were very hard to seat.
Once I cleaned up the inside of the neck they seated fine.

The steep shoulder of the 375 ruger makes it very easy to crush cases.
I was using RCBS dies. So I am doubtful its the dies. For two of us to have the same issue.
 
Alright. This issue has been driving me crazy so I've been doing a bit more investigation.

I backed the seating die out of the press 2 full turns once it touched a resized case at the top of the stroke. I couldnt back it out any further or else the seating stem wouldnt screw in far enough to seat the bullet deep enough.

I'm thinking what's going on is that the neck is too tight when I try to seat the bullets, causing them to be partially seated before the neck is pushed into the case.

I took the eliptical shaped expander ball out of the sizing die and it was really hard to push it into a sized case mouth.
Once I reamed the case mouth out with the expander ball, I never had the issue with the case neck being pushed in.

I'm thinking that the necks are contracting just enough after being resized that they're just a bit too tight for the bullets to be seated properly.

These are all brand new Hornady cases I'm working with so mabe I need to soften the necks up by annealing them.

Any ideas?
 
brand new cases which you have trimmed?
If you did trim maybe you forgot to chamfer the inside of the neck?
 
What I do with new bullet seating dies is, put an empty case in the holder and raise it to the top. Then put the die in turning it slowly until the crimping step just touches the case neck. I have a powder and primerless case with a bullet seated at the depth I want, (one for each caliber I load) then turn the seating screw in until it just touches the seated bullet then back it off a turn. I like a light crimp, so I turn the die in a smidge more then lock it in place. Then my gauge bullet is brought to the top again and I turn the seating screw in till it touches, then I lock that one tight.

I personaly don't think your necks need to be annealed with new cases, but I may be mistaken. I've never had problems with new cases, but then I'm a relative newbie to reloading myself.

For reference, I made a .303 British round look just like yours, and crushed the case after trying to push an already seated bullet in deeper.
 
Yup, I forgot how blunt new Hornady .375 Ruger case mouths are out of the box. The case mouths do require chamfering, and probably the length of each case should be checked to ensure it doesn't require trimming. Try using a dry neck lube like Imperial Dry Neck Lube, this stuff eases the passage of the expander through the case neck making it quite effortless, and unlike wet lubes, powder granules don't stick to it when it comes time to charge the case.
 
Boomer said:
While I don't have any Hornady dies, normally the seating die is able to seat and crimp the case mouth to the bullet. If the die is turned down too far, the crimp will collapse the case if you attempt to raise the ram to its full height.

Begin by backing out the seating die, then run the ram to it's full height with a resized case in the shell holder. Now turn the seating die down until you feel contact with the neck. Once you feel contact, back the die out a quarter turn or so and lock it in place. You can now adjust the seating stem to seat your bullet to the desired length without fear of crushing the case.

I prefer to crimp as a seperate step once all the bullets have been seated. If you intend to crimp, begin by backing out the seating stem to ensure it won't touch the bullet, unlock the die, and with a loaded cartridge on the ram, raise it to full height. Now turn in the seating die until you feel contact, then adjust in quarter turns until you have the amount of crimp you desire, or simply turn the die in with the strength of you fingers only until it turns no further.
Click to expand...

X2. I have done this with various brass. Usually with new dies that I forget to set up properly
 
Boomer said:
Yup, I forgot how blunt new Hornady .375 Ruger case mouths are out of the box. The case mouths do require chamfering, and probably the length of each case should be checked to ensure it doesn't require trimming. Try using a dry neck lube like Imperial Dry Neck Lube, this stuff eases the passage of the expander through the case neck making it quite effortless, and unlike wet lubes, powder granules don't stick to it when it comes time to charge the case.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I have a RCBS case prep station so it wont take much effort to quickly chamfer the case necks.

I'll see if I can find some dry neck lube when I'm out at WSS and BassPro today.
 
MM,

Pretty sure you have the seating die screwed in too far, and it is trying to crimp the case mouths onto the bullets.

Put a sized case in the shell holder and raise the ram all the way to the top. Now, screw the die down until it contacts the case. Back it out half a turn and try seating a bullet.

That should do get you back on track.

Ted
 
Why not? said:
MM,

Pretty sure you have the seating die screwed in too far, and it is trying to crimp the case mouths onto the bullets.

Put a sized case in the shell holder and raise the ram all the way to the top. Now, screw the die down until it contacts the case. Back it out half a turn and try seating a bullet.

That should do get you back on track.

Ted
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing but I've screwed the die out 2 full turns so I dont have an issue with crimping.

I cant screw the die out any further or else I run out of adjustment with the seating stem.

I'm going to chamfer the case necks and use some graphite lube when seating the bullets.

Chamfering alone doesnt seem to be enough to get rid of the problem.

If I end up wrecking any more cases, I'll have to try annealing them.
 
What is the difference in measurement between the inside of the sized case mouth and the actual bullet diameter? Sounds like you have used the dies and bullets before; only the brass is new.
 
Sorry, just reread your post and they are new dies. Check the measurements. It is a slim possibility but maybe the expander ball is on the small side?
 
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