Why am I getting inconsistent measurements? I’m trying to seat to 2.175 base to Ogive and it seems to vary between 2.174-2.178. I’m loading Berger 140gr Hybrids and using an RCBS gold medal adjustable seater. I assume this has something to do with the seating stem in the die? Is there anything that can be done about it? Maybe it’s time to upgrade to a Whidden with a stem specific to this bullet.
Inconsistent Seating Depth
- Thread starter leclairk
- Start date
Lone Hunter
Silver $$ Contributor
Is your seating stem leaving a mark on the bullets? Most of the time the seating stem is the problem. Is your seating stem for VLD bullets? I use a Redding Comp seater and the VLD Stem and my problem went away. Not sure if this stem will fit RCBS or not. Do a search on here I believe there’s several topics about this. Good Luck to you I know how irritating it is.
Are you disappointed with your groups? Have you sorted for consistent seating depth and checked if they group any better? You may be looking for a problem that doesn't exist.
Inconsistent neck tension is the most.likely cause.
A Wilson seater and an arbor press has always given me the most.consistent seating. Of course that was with carefully prepared, annealed lapua brass.
How many times has the brass been fired?
What sizing method are.you using?
Inconsistent neck tension is the most.likely cause.
A Wilson seater and an arbor press has always given me the most.consistent seating. Of course that was with carefully prepared, annealed lapua brass.
How many times has the brass been fired?
What sizing method are.you using?
I have had that same problem when the seating stem did not properly fit the bullet. Assuming your brass is consistent, the seating stem/bullet fit is the first thing I would look at. Take the stem out and check to see what the fit looks and feels like, and be sure the tip of the bullet is not contacting inside the stem before it is supported properly at area near the ogive.
The brass is once fired hornady that I full length sized with a basic RCBS die. I’m still new to reloading so I haven’t invested a ton of money yet. I just so happen to upgrade to a Whidden full length click adjustable sizer but I haven’t tried it yet because these pieces of brass were all ready to go. I have loaded other brands of bullets (Hornady and Nosler) that didn’t give me this much inconsistency which is why I suspect the stem is the problem and not the brass. I haven’t shot these bullets in this gun yet so I don’t know what my groups will look like.
From what I have read it sounds like I can ship the die to RCBS and they will make me a custom seater for $40ish bucks. That might be the way to go.
halfmoanut
Silver $$ Contributor
If your bullets are not all the same measurement base to ogive the reading will be different.You must measure bullets and group them in lots according to base to ogive length. Then set bullet seater to the measurement you want with one group of those bullets. The next group will indicate a different reading, That's why custom bullets are better they hold tighter tolerances. Only means something when shooting past 300yds.
That is what does it to me.
May want to color a bullet to find out where it's making contact with the stem , easy to clean and inspect also ensure your die body isn't bottomed out
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May I ask with what are you measuring base to ogive?
The problem may be with the equipment or how you are setting it up. It happened to me with a cheap micrometer and it was driving me insane.
The problem may be with the equipment or how you are setting it up. It happened to me with a cheap micrometer and it was driving me insane.
Can you describe steps how you prepare your once fired brass before ready to seat bullet?
“Inconsistent neck tension “ ^^^
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
Double check that you don't have proud primers. Some brass/primer combinations may not seat properly without uniforming the pockets.
just out of curiosity could someone explain this? Does the neck try and spit the bullet out like a watermelon seed or what?
Mikemontminy
Silver $$ Contributor
With more tension it Will be harder to seat the bullet into the case. The seating stem will dig into the jacket when seating the bullet. This is because the contact point between the bullet and seating stem is too small with mismatched angles. With more neck tension your overall length will be greater. Less seating force will allow the bullet to be pushed into the case further because the jacket isn’t distorted. You can try to machine the seating stem or maybe lapping compound on the seating stem (using a drill press) to increase the contact point between the stem and bullet. This should give you more consistent length on your loaded rounds.
That makes sense since the seating force being greater if the neck OD is smaller. It seems as if .005 and greater. I wil go back to neck lubing and be extra vigilant about chamfering now with that in mind
Thanks for the explanation
B Nettesheim
Gold $$ Contributor
1-Inconsistent neck tension
2-Inconsistent bullets
3-Sloppy press linkage
2-Inconsistent bullets
3-Sloppy press linkage
If the seating stem is the issue, you could try bedding the stem. Hot glue if you wanted to remove it for some reason, or JB weld for a more permanent solution. Be sure to thoroughly clean the stem ahead of time and dip the bullet into a release agent (oil/lube) ahead of pressing it into the stem so that it does not get glued in and does not pull the hot glue back out once set.
I tried all kinds of different things to get consistent seating depth. Dies, stems, hot glue, etc, etc. It wasn't until I started using a Wilson seater and an arbor press that I got consistent seating depth. I did get VLD stems for my Wilson seaters.
PopCharlie
PopCharlie
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