.223 Bullet Fit?

[Thumb]

I've loaded about 100 rounds so far of .223 and did not have a problem until I switched to Hornady 55gr #2260 bullets. I was loading Hornady #2267 which are boat tail and I was able to set them in the case for seating with no problems. The #2260 bullets are not boat tail and I am having a heck of a time trying to keep them in the case so I can seat them.

I am thinking that maybe I am not chamfering the inside enough so I can start the bullet, I don't know. Plus I do not know if I'm even getting enough crimp afterwards. The crimp die almost goes to fully closed so I'm at about my limit there. Here are a few pics(good as I could get) of what I'm talking about.

Anyone have any ideas? Am I chamfering enough?


Any Crimp? Using Lee Crimp Die


Bullet seated showing case chamfer which to me looks horrible and should be more.


Two cases I did. The left I really pushed down on it while chamfering while the right one is what I have been doing.

 

[jonbearman]

You don't need such a heavy chamfer on the outside and I would use the VLD type chamfer tool for the inside to provide more leade for the bullet to seat with ease.I wish I had a pic to post of what it should look like but I am sure big ed will as he has some very detailed pics of this and other things to do with case prep.

 

[Thumb]

The tool I am using now is the RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep Center so you are saying to get the manual hand VLD one for the chamfer?

What do you think of the crimp, do you see any?

 

[pacificman]

I tend to agree with jonbearman that a VLD chamfer tool may help with seating your bullets. looking at the picture it looks like you could chamfer a tad more on the inside to help seat your bullets. as far as your crimping...sounds like you are using a Lee factory crimp die and if that die is almost closed when crimping I guarantee that your crimp will be sufficient. I would advise to be careful if you are indeed using a Lee factory crimp die as if you go too far you may crush the bullet inside the case. If you go to far you would probably be able to see if crushed if you look very close. The pictures look good to me.

 

[Thumb]

I'll try chamfering a bit more and see if that helps and I'll leave the crimp as it is since so far I have not crushed anything and the ones I have shot worked well.

 

[fdshuster]

One of my favorite case prep tools is the K&M inside taper neck reamer, a tool that is used on each and every 22 thru 30 cal. case mouth.

Like the other VLD cutters on the market, it cuts a tapered, smooth entry angle that guarantees smooth damage free bullet seating, especially with flat base bullets.

Unless the brass is stretching a lot, it's mostly a one time deal, having only to be redone if the case is trimmed a lot more than normal.

I especially like the centering pin that goes thru the primer flash hole keeping the cutter straight, so the cut is even all around the circumference of the case mouth. The depth control pins ( 3 that ride in the cutter flutes) are adjustable and prevent going too deep into the case mouth from the recommended 1/32" maximum length.

K&M make fine tools and this one is no exception. I have one adjusted for each active caliber, so no need to re-adjust when going from 22 to 6mm to 30 cal.

 

[fredhorace77]

Try the VLD chamfer like the others suggested. Here's a good help on the crimp. To me urs doesn't look correct.
http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=404

 

[2506]

One problem with your crimp with the Lee Factory Crimp Die is that you can't trim the case to the suggested trim to length. It will be too short to get much crimp on the case neck. Leave your cases five thousands longer than the trim to case length and that leaves enough case to get a crimp on but is still not too long for the chamber.

If you are expecting to be able to set a bullet into the case mouth and have it sit there with flat base bullets it will not happen without excessive chamfering. I place the powdered case in the shell holder and with my left hand I hold the bullet in place on the neck between my thumb and forefinger and raise the ram slowly until the bullet and case are pushed into the seating die to where I can't hold on to the bullet anymore. The bullet will be pushed up into the die and go into the seating stem and be seated OK.

 

[Thumb]

Well, that messes everything up, I trimmed all my cases to the suggested trim length so I guess I will not worry too much about the crimp for now. I'll refrain from trimming any new cases as they come in.

 

[pacificman]

Well, that messes everything up, I trimmed all my cases to the suggested trim length so I guess I will not worry too much about the crimp for now. I'll refrain from trimming any new cases as they come in.

The type of bullet you are using does not have a crimping cannelure but with the Lee factory crimp die they will still be crimped and as I mentioned can be over done. I'm thinking that you can use your calipers to measure a crimped and UN-crimped case...but if I remember I could see the results of over-crimping my bullets in the past. I recommend to just follow the instructions that come with the die and all will be well and as you mentioned they shoot well as is.