Seating depth variance of .005

[rckendall]

The 140 hybrids will most likely benefit using a VLD seating stem for more consistent seating as wedgy suggested...they have a rather pointy nose profile and it may be that your current seating stem is contacting the meplat instead of the ogive. Not hard to vary .005 with press linkage play and inconsistent meplats.

+1

 

[Texas10]

I had the same problem with the same load using 140 and 142 SMK. It was the seater stem. Took it out and had a good look. Meplat was hitting top inside of stem. Tried several others and then got a good fit after drilling out stem.

 

[Campbell]

I have been a complete tool, I thought the thread was about a half thou difference, not 5 thou! (Self rebuke smiley)

However, Mr dmoran's posting makes complete sense and I thank him for his post.

I use the Australian produced round: Dyer HBC Projectile (P). The maximum ogive to base measurement on a box of 500,when using the Hornady Comparator can vary by only 2 thou. However in a total of 500, the bullets can be batched in half a thou increments.

I will now start to use Mr dmoran's advice using the seating stem in order to achieve the above-mentioned.

Many thanks

Cam

 

[Richard Coody]

I use my rifles to shoot small groups...

Brass firings vary
I do annneal, not every time though.
I use the graphite to try to have seating force the same, although I do feel differences but on the obvious ones the measurements aren't off most of the times. Total crapshoot.

I'm using berger 140 hybrids for most everything.

i would say it is probably inconsistent neck tension. berger hybrids are very consistent bullets. i learned a lot about neck tension when i purchased a 21st century hydro press and switched to wilson seater dies. with proper brass prep and the arbor press i have no problem keeping seating depth within .001 or less. in fact after proper brass prep i can use my forster seater and coax and keep that same tolerance.

proper brass prep for me consist of neck turning, anneal every loading, harrell simi custom sizing die with K&M expandrel mandrel for final neck sizing. with this set up seating force is pretty consistent and base to ogive is usually dead on the mark.

is all this necessary for your shooting? you be the judge of that.