Seating depth
- Thread starter randas
- Start date
I seat 50gr V-Max to 2.25, same as 50gr varmint grenades. If i recall correctly the VGs just about touch the lands and I'm lazy and just seat the V-max's the same; their tip profile is different and they don't quite touch the lands. Problem with the CZ-527 is the OAL max is what will fit in the magazine and not bind, it's hard to touch the lands unless you use stubby 35gr hornet bullets.
I tried three different seating depths
2.24" grouped about 1.75"
2.26" did about 1"
2.28" did about 1.5"
2.28" is the longest I've tried. They feed fine and according to the 'dummy round colored with marker' test they still don't touch the lands at that length
Those groups are all at 100yards with 50g vmax & 24g benchmark
Remington value box did 3/4" during the same session so I've got work to do
2.24" grouped about 1.75"
2.26" did about 1"
2.28" did about 1.5"
2.28" is the longest I've tried. They feed fine and according to the 'dummy round colored with marker' test they still don't touch the lands at that length
Those groups are all at 100yards with 50g vmax & 24g benchmark
Remington value box did 3/4" during the same session so I've got work to do
If you're not touching the lands why are you trying to seat the bullet deeper? Measuring from the base of the case to the tip of the bullet may give you a starting point to work with but it's not the right way. Have you tried putting a bullet in an unprimed brass and put that in the chamber? That at least should show marks on the bullet then you can work down from there.
Canadian_Zuk
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Pickering, Ontario
The lee seating die can do two jobs, seat and crimp for a three die setup. I think your crimping your case before you reach your desired oal. Try backing the body out 1/2 turn and the seating adjustment in 1/2 turn+. I just use the 3rd station for seating only and crimp on the fourth.
IMHO, you should optimize your powder weight first, then play with the seating depth (I rechecked depth and it looks like I could go to about 2.26"). Personally I'd put the bullet as far out as you can and still get it in the mag (and do the marker rub test to see if you touch the lands) and find the optimum powder weight. For my cz527 varmint with the Kevlar stock, 25.7gr benchmark and any projectile 50-52gr shoots better than any of the factory rounds I've tried. The load was optimized for varmint grenades, and I just use it for other bullets of the same weight. I'm sure there are others here who have some sweet recipes for this gun too.
+1
back out the die a half dozen turns, then raise the ram with a shell in the holder all the way. then screw the die in untill you feel it touch... This is the crimping part of the die just touching. back the die off 1/2 turn (or so) and lock in place. Now the bullet seating can be adjusted without the die trying to crimp and push a bullet in at the same time.
Because... when I first started this thread I knew zip about reloading and I thought I had to follow my reloading manual which called for a col of 2.22
(I only dove into this stuff last week)
If my seating die can crimp it doesn't mention it in the instructions.. I have a factory crimp die too but I haven't played with it yet
Those are some rounds out of my dies.. Tell me if I'm wrong but there not crimped
I played around some more with dummy cartridges. 2.310 Hit the lands and was tight to close the bolt. 2.300 still hit the lands but wasn't very tight. And 2.290 didn't show any marks from the lands. All of the above lengths still fit the mag and fed fine.
I also played with the powder charge. I tried 24, 24.5, 25, and 25.5
24 did the best and it got progressively worse from there, the worst being almost a 3" group.
I might pick up some 55 grainers tomorrow since that's the weight of the factory stuff that works better in my gun..
Thanks for all the help
Again, I only started reloading last week so you wont insult me pointing out the simple things
Sounds like you're starting to get on track with the 2.290 and I assume you're measuring from the base to the tip. Keep in mind that the ballistic tips are likely to give you a little longer reading than say a hollow point because the tip is a little longer. I think you'll now find that you will get varied readings in total length just from the tips being slightly different. That is why measuring to the tip rather than the ogive gives you a place to work from but it's more variable than the ogive measurement. Now when you go to 55grs you will have to start the process all over rather than assuming you can seat the 55s at the same depth as the 50s because of the ogive but at least you can now use 2.290 as your starting point. I don't shoot a 223 but I'm shooting a 22br and I've been trying to work up to heavier bullets so I have also been going thru this with each bullet. I think you will find that powder charge is less important to accuracy as much as seating depth. This is the way it is with my 22br. Once you get a seating depth that works then you can play with charge weights or even powders. Try not to change more than one thing at a time or you can start chasing your tail if you don't keep very good notes. To me it looks like from the pics you posted the two rounds on the left look to be seated too deep and the one on the right looks longer but may me camera angle. Just take your time, don't get frustrated and in time you'll get it right. When you get it right shooting becomes a lot more fun.
