Having a Problem With A-Tip Seating. Anyone Else?

[Texas10]

Loading the new Hornaday 135 A-Tip in 6.5 CM, once fired then annealed Hornaday brass, H4831SC. I've got the new A-Tip compatible stem from Hornaday, and that's the problem. The new stem contacts the bullet well down on the ogive, where it's beginning to round into the bearing diameter, but it wedges itself onto the bullet. I am getting a very loud "snap" sound as it is pulled free while withdrawing from the seating die.

Leaves five light annular rings on the bullet, and will sometimes pull the bullet forward a few thou. Tried using sizing lube on the bullet but no change in results.

Tried another stem but it made an annular dent in the bullet nose, so that's a no go.

I have dry moly if you think that would help, but I suspect it would cause more problems than it would solve.

What's your thinking?

 

[T-shooter]

If you have a Dremmel polish the inside and put a slight radius on the bottom, just enough to break the sharp edge.

 

[Texas10]

It didn't start doing this until about the 40th round being loaded. Eyeballing the stem yields nothing remarkable. I do have a dremmel, and Cratex bullets to polish with. I'll call Hornaday first thing Monday and hear what they have to say before I start modifying it.

Thanks for the quick response.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

Try your standard VLD stem and see if it will work. I ran into an issue like that awhile back with a "special" stem and just went back to the original making sure it did not hit the tip.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

You can glass bed the stem , just use liquid wax on the bullet so it will release.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Lap it with your cratex bullet. Dont polish it too much or itll get sticky

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Loading the new Hornaday 135 A-Tip in 6.5 CM, once fired then annealed Hornaday brass, H4831SC. I've got the new A-Tip compatible stem from Hornaday, and that's the problem. The new stem contacts the bullet well down on the ogive, where it's beginning to round into the bearing diameter, but it wedges itself onto the bullet. I am getting a very loud "snap" sound as it is pulled free while withdrawing from the seating die.

Leaves five light annular rings on the bullet, and will sometimes pull the bullet forward a few thou. Tried using sizing lube on the bullet but no change in results.

Tried another stem but it made an annular dent in the bullet nose, so that's a no go.

I have dry moly if you think that would help, but I suspect it would cause more problems than it would solve.

What's your thinking?

Quality sounds about right for Hornady dies...

Drill out the stem and bed it to a bullet with JB. Drill out center of bedding when done so stem only contacts the ogive just above the bearing surface.

 

[greisdor]

Are u sure that you don’t have tooo much neck sizing ? Maybe loosen it up a bit.....

 

[Texas10]

Are u sure that you don’t have tooo much neck sizing ? Maybe loosen it up a bit.....

They're all freshly annealed after sizing with Hornaday FL die and SS pin cleaned.

 

[Texas10]

Lap it with your cratex bullet. Dont polish it too much or itll get sticky

I have valve lapping compounds, are you thinking using that combined with the Cratex bullet to polish the cone? That might be worth a try. I guess I could also make a cast of the cone with JB or similar epoxy and use that as a tool for lapping. Interesting ideas are beginning to come to mind!

I'll listen to what Hornaday CS has to say, but I've been leaning towards bedding with JB.

Or maybe they'll replace it

 

[Texas10]

Just got off the phone with Hornaday and they're sending out a new stem at no charge. They also suggested polishing it. I asked if the stem is hardened steel in case I want to drill and bed, he responded yes, but I've drilled and bedded stems before and never had a problem, so we'll see.

 

[Fotheringill]

Whoaaaaa there!!!!!

The are replacing it and suggested YOU polish it?

Just out of curiosity, can any VLD stem be used? I would call Redding (if you have their dies and ask if it would fit). They have always been helpful with my inane and ane questions.

 

[rhovee]

I have only had this happen once on bullets besides the A Tip. To much neck tension followed by SS media pin clean with no lube could require some force. How much does it take to seat a bullet?

 

[T-shooter]

Some companies will mate the stem to whatever bullet you want. I think Forster will.

 

[Texas10]

Update: Got a new stem in today from Hornaday CS. Comparing the two under 10X and strong light, I can see that the stem that was giving me problems was basically in "as machined" condition, meaning I could easily see the helical marks the cutting tool made during the machining operation.

Looking into the new seating stem yielded a much different view. The area of the stem that makes contact with the bullet ogive has been polished, leaving no trace of the cutting tool marks.

My thanks to Hornaday Customer Service for the fast service providing a replacement stem, and one of superior quality to the original.