Dented bullets

[guy454]

I am developing a load for a freind for a 260 remington... the compressed load data in the book is resulting in dented bullets, my seater is pushing so hard on the bullet that it is making a dent ring around the bullets... i need some advise....

 

[M-61]

"DENT" or a grove? Light ring down from the tip?

 

[Webster]

Why do you think you need a load that is at or over the max. Back off. Other powders have less fill.

 

[expiper]

are they Hornaday???,,,,they have soft jackets and "ring" easily,,,it usually doesnt hurt accuracy,,,Roger

 

[guy454]

ring around the bullet... the most accurate load in the book is a compressed load, i am loading straight out of hornady's manuel...

 

[bheadboy]

manuals are only guides, not absolute,

reduce the charge slightly
Bob

 

[guy454]

yes the are hornady....

 

[gotcha]

Using the same brass as the load data specifies? Variations in case capacity, Mfg. to Mfg., can mean less/more powder for compressed load. Light neck tension can also mean variations in seating depth. A light circular impression around the nose of the bullet caused by seater stem shouldn't have adverse effect on accuracy. At least that's my experience....... Heavily compressed loads can lead to cases bulging and difficult or impossible chambering. You might want to switch to a faster burning powder. If you are using a thin skinned varmint bullet the circle you mention will be amplified. Compressed loads can also limit variations in seating depth for best accuracy. Another reason to use a faster powder. Just my .02 cents.

 

[DRNewcomb]

I did that working up some loads for some bulk surplus powder that was "kinda like" another powder. Sure sign you need to go down a few grains, switch to a different powder, change case brands, etc.

 

[jo191145]

ring around the bullet... the most accurate load in the book is a compressed load, i am loading straight out of hornady's manuel...

Starting at max with unproven components is not called "developing a load". Be a friend a do it right.

 

[Lapua40X]

There's more to accuracy than the load. If the "book" lists the most accurate load data to include all factors (rifle, action, barrel, chamber, bullet, brass, AOL, neck tension, primer etc.) it still wouldn't be totally reliable.
Max loads can generate a lot of excitement at the range.
The ambulance lights and siren draw lots of attention.

 

[gotcha]

Yep! A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[jonbearman]

Lapua 40x,did the guy live through this? I have never seen a marlin lever gun sustain damage like this in my life.

 

[PRECISIONWELDING01]

Try reducing neck tension some.hornady bullets have softer jackets these are the only ones I have experienced do this.reducing load would not hurt

 

[Lapua40X]

Lapua 40x,did the guy live through this? I have never seen a marlin lever gun sustain damage like this in my life.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/08/foghorn/marlin-lever-action-kaboom-nsfw/
If you're familiar with the anatomy of the hand you know that the median nerve passes directly below the area of this wound. If the severity of trauma is deep enough, the had becomes useless.
But some never learn.

 

[steve4102]

Lets back up. What are the details of your load? Brass, Primer, powder, powder charge, bullet and OAL. These load details will be helpful in finding a solution.

What Hornady manual are you using? My Hornady manuals do not list a "Most Accurate" load tested.

 

[treeman]

if you need to get this much powder in the case with a safe load pour the powder from the scale pan into the funnel slowly and give it time to settle i.e.3-5 seconds. pour it off to one side and it will swirl around the funnel. another way to settle is to tap the case on the bench a few times before seating the bullet. it has been my experience that the most accurate load is the one you painstakingly work up

 

[JBO]

I load 6.5 x 47 with 42 gr H4350 which is somewhat a compressed load and use a drop tube. This load was worked up carefully and shows no signs of pressure, it shoots very well. The drop tube also helped immensely.
When your developing a load many times there's a couple nodes that do well, just by looking in the loading book and not working up a load you may be passing up a node that works much better then the compressed load in the book, safer too! I'm not sure about the ring on your bullet with regard to the effect of accuracy doesn't seem like a problem if it's not actually making a indentation IMHO, then again I couldn't live with it. :-\

 

[savagedasher]

My load by what quick load says is 107% fill with a long drop tube and a slow pour I have no problem seating the bullets. If I don't use the drop tube they won't seat. I have shot dented bullet that I have pulled with no problem. Remember Safety first. Good Shooting Larry

 

[Webster]

I don't know why any manufacturer would publish an accuracy load. Every rifle is different. I have the new Sierra manual, it gives an accuracy load but the manual doesn't explain how they arrived at it and how it might relate to other rifles. One test rifle? The Berger manual doesn't give an accuracy load. You said Hornady gives the accuracy load for the 260 as a maximum compressed load. That's scary. No matter what's in the reloading manual you need to start 10% low and work up. It sounds like the rifle will be used for hunting. I would shoot a ladder test and then look for good results 1.5 to 2 grains below max load. Then shoot some three shot groups to verify it. Many hunters don't have the shooting skills to evaluate loads. You have to be able to shot reasonably small groups.