bullet seating problem

[M-61]

Berger 80.5 Grain Fullbore Target Rifle Bullets are often used by competitive shooters who seek the highest accuracy possible. FullBore Rifle Bullets are often used beyond mid-range distances out to 600 yards or more. The 80.5 Grain FullBore Rifle Bullet was specifically designed for accross-the-course competitive shooting with today’s AR platform target rifles where reliable magazine feeding is a must.

Thank you a clear and informative answer.
My excuse, if even needed, would be no interest in AR’s, but that’s weak. I should have at least heard of them.
Thanks again.

 

[rebs]

still working on consistent seating depth

 

[243winxb]

I cannot get consistent seating depth

A die that contacts the shell holder or shell plate can act as a stop, for better control of seating depth.

1. The Redding custon seat die has instruction on website. Light touching is ok.
2. Lee dead length seating die. Does NOT crimp.

But first, measure just the bullets. Base to ogive.

 

[Bc'z]

Try letting the rounds dwell/ sit in the seater die for 2-3seconds when doing your final seat.

Here's what I figured out this last week helping a buddy.
Loading virgin cases with 165 partitions I was getting variation of up to .003 in seating depth.
Without screwing micrometer top I just raised loaded round back into die and let it set a couple few seconds.
I found now my depth was consistent to within .0005 +or-.
Can't hurt to try

Edit
Just because it's a VLD stem doesn't mean it fits your bullet, it may need to be drilled deeper and lapped to fit your bullet.

 

[243winxb]

Just because it's a VLD stem doesn't mean it fits your bullet, it may need to be drilled deeper and lapped to fit your bullet.

Great info. This bullet may need a special seat plug/stem. "223 with 80.5 Berger" Stem needs to contack the ogive. No nose contacr.

 

[Bill Norris]

Try letting the rounds dwell/ sit in the seater die for 2-3seconds when doing your final seat.

Here's what I figured out this last week helping a buddy.
Loading virgin cases with 165 partitions I was getting variation of up to .003 in seating depth.
Without screwing micrometer top I just raised loaded round back into die and let it set a couple few seconds.
I found now my depth was consistent to within .0005 +or-.
Can't hurt to try

Edit
Just because it's a VLD stem doesn't mean it fits your bullet, it may need to be drilled deeper and lapped to fit your bullet.

Dwell time when the press handle is at the bottom of the stroke has paid dividends for me seating bullets and F/L sizing as well.

 

[CharlieNC]

My buds and I shot those best with around .020 jump, you should have more room. In addition to dwell time try rotating 90deg between two seating cycles.

 

[rebs]

what does measuring bullets base to ogive do ?
If you are seating by the ogive shouldn't they all seat the same ?
I have tried the suggestions and still can't get a consistent seating depth, I must still be doing something wrong.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Make sure the case(s) don't make crimp ring contact, temporary seat a handful 0.025 longer and measure for consistency.

 

[Straightshooter1]

what does measuring bullets base to ogive do ?

It can tell you what kind of variance you might have for that lot of bullets, and there can be a significant difference from one lot to another. For Berger bullets, I've found this measurement for them is pretty uniform, but still can be quite different from lot to lot.

If you are seating by the ogive shouldn't they all seat the same ?

. . . only if that BTO measurement is the same . . . . especially at where the seating stem contacts the ogive. And keep in mind that it's not unusual for there to be variation on the ogive for the distance between where the seating stem makes contact and where the comparator insert makes contact.

I have tried the suggestions and still can't get a consistent seating depth, I must still be doing something wrong.

. . . maybe something to do with the press you're using to seat the bullets???

. . . maybe something to do with the seating die you're using????

How much variation are you getting?

 

[piie]

Remove some variables.

Seat some empty cases and see if you still see inconsistency. If not, you are compressing powder and that’s the issue, if you still see inconsistency, try slightly tighter neck tension(again on empty case), rinse and repeat. Clean that seating stem and make sure no oil/grease or lube that could cause a vacuum effect that pulls bullet back out when you lift the die up after seating. Take the stem out, paint a bullet with a sharpie and see what/where the stem contacts the bullet, you might need to hone or polish the stem for a better fit, but not too good, else you might get an airlock/suction again.

 

[Old Navy]

A lot of the time when this comes up here it is a seating steam problem. Possibly the tip of the bullet is touching the bottom of the steam.

 

[William Vogel]

Use the seating stem to measure BTO. I think you’re compressing powder. Seat 10 @ + 0.075 or 0.50 longer than final seating depth and compare. If you get consistent seating it’s a confined space. Try consolidating the powder. I haven’t seen a picture of a charged case so I can’t offer any advice except speculation.

 

[William Vogel]

The tip is not hitting the seater, I have the VLD stem. I am trying to load them at 1.920 base to ogive Which is about 2.398 OAL. I am loading 24.5 of Varget in Lapua match cases and is below the neck. They average 1.922 to 1.915 base to ogive.

I got a great idea. Take a fired case with the spent primer in it. Charge it with the 24.5 grains of Varget and drop the bullet in. Measure it. Is it long?

 

[6Creed73]

I got a great idea. Take a fired case with the spent primer in it. Charge it with the 24.5 grains of Varget and drop the bullet in. Measure it. Is it long?

I do this with 300 Blackout to see how compressed I am. I body size the case, but not the neck. Charge it, drop the bullet in and zero the calipers to it. Then when I seat my real rounds, I can measure them and see how many thousandths compressed it is.

 

[rebs]

I went to load some Berger 80.5 full bore and the bullet sticks in the seater stem and leaves a ring around the bullet. This never happened before. Measuring the base to ogive is 0.591 The 0.601 does not do this.

 

[D Coots]

Did anyone mention to make sure your primer is below the case head,????

I know a guy that had just that problem last weekend.

Later
Dave

 

[6Creed73]

I went to load some Berger 80.5 full bore and the bullet sticks in the seater stem and leaves a ring around the bullet. This never happened before. Measuring the base to ogive is 0.591 The 0.601 does not do this.

A couple things can cause this. You either have the wrong stem for that bullet, or too much neck tension. Have you measured the neck prior to seating then again after seating? If so, how much neck tension do you have.

I've mentioned this before on one of your other posts bit it's worth mentioning again...if you haven't already, do yourself a favor and get an expander mandrel. Seat the bullets soon after using the expander mandrel. In other words, don't expand the necks and let the brass sit around for days.

 

[L.Sherm]

Brush your necks with a stiff nylon brush, neck preparation is often a culprit if its not a stem or donut problem if your trying to seat below one.
I shoot alot of Bergers in my hunting rifles without sorting and I rarely get more than .001 difference unless my nk prep is not what it should be, but sort a few and try it.
I should say as long as there the same lot#.
Reminds me O.P you aren't mixing lot#'s are you?

 

[rebs]

I do brush the necks and anneal the brass. I am using a Hornady micrometer seating die with the VLD seating stem. My press is an old RCBS JR from the mid 70's. Could the press be the problem ?