Seating rings on Bullet..... Why??

[Kevin R]

Hello,

When I seat 50gr V-Max or Nosler BT(worse on the Nosler's) for a 223 I am getting a pronounced ring on my bullets from the seating stem. Most times it indents on the copper jacket slightly and it is slightly worse with a compressed load. But only seems to happen on the 50gr and not on the 55gr bullets?? I'm using the Hornady seating die with the proper A-Max seating stem with a RCBS Partner press, I also have the RCBS die but it seems to be worse with that die. Like I said the 55gr come out perfect??

What am I doing wrong for this to happen or is it anything to be concerned about? Will it effect accuracy or performance of the bullet on a coyote?

Thanks.

Kevin.

 

[Travelor]

There can be two causes, a combination of the two is the most likely cause.

You case necks may be sized too small causing excessive force needed to seat the bullet from the seating stem.

The second is that the seating stem does not fitting the bullet shape and the lighter bullet has a thinner jacket causing the mark to be more pronounced.

I do not know about Hornady, but RCBS will modify their seating stems to exactly fit you bullet if you send them two bullets and a seating stem - for free.

Just a FYI, but if you use a bronze cleaing brush and clean the inside of the necks with it before seating the bullet, the bullets should seat easier. This cleans the carbon foulingout of the neck inside.

I and assuming you have chamfered the inside of your case necks. If not do so!

George

 

[Preacher]

A coyote will never know the difference, and accuracy will not be a problem at all...
A tight neck is the cause of the ring marks, nothing else............

 

[NHgunNut]

Hmm my dies leave tiny marks i can see, but i cannot feel them with my fingernail. i never gave it a second thought. coyote's from less than 300 yards deff wont matter unless it is making DENTS in the bullet somehow. if u want to win a 600 yard match, then u might consider fixing it

 

[necchi]

My RCBS did that too,
Get some fine sand paper, (400--600--crocus cloth ) and rub along the leading inside edge ( cup ) of the seater stem. It's just a sharp edge let from machning. Guy's all say it makes no differance, but it sure don't make sence to wreck that nice finish.

 

[camac]

someone on another thead (can't remember who/when/ sorry) had another good tip to remove an edge on seating die stem. Valve grinding paste, drill and either spin stem against bullet or bullet against stem to lap it in. Works v. v. well.

thin jackets on these varmint bullets, excessive neck tension (or compressed loads) are the main cause but lapping helps.

Cam

 

[Kevin R]

Thanks guys,

I have taken a dremel tool and a small stone and smoothed and rounded out the inside of the stem, but didn't seem to help.

I just got some Redding dry neck lube, I'll give that a try??

Kevin.

 

[holstil]

+1
I had a Wilson seater that did it to. A bullet with lapping compound in a drill and a couple of minutes will do the trick.
Jim

 

[Preacher]

It might be time to anneal those cases !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[holstil]

Good point Preacher man.