Some issue loading Hornady V-Max in .223 Rem ?

[DShortt]

I haven't read all the replies and maybe someone's already said it. But I'll say it anyway......just get a REDDING Competition Seating Die and be done with it.

How is a seating die going to correct an interference issue between the chosen bullet and the resized neck diameter?

It appears that a combination of neck chamfer and some neck lube is working to seat the bullets for the OP.

I hope he likes his range results, as that's what is really important.

 

[ebb]

I had inconsistent results when seating flat based 22 bullets, I switched to 69 SMKs and never had that problem again.

 

[Ackman]

definitely a good chamfer, and about .003" neck tension. Only flat base .22 bullets I use in .223 is the 50TNT. Effortless perfect seating with the Redding Comp seater.

 

[brccd]

How is a seating die going to correct an interference issue between the chosen bullet and the resized neck diameter?

It appears that a combination of neck chamfer and some neck lube is working to seat the bullets for the OP.

I hope he likes his range results, as that's what is really important.

I believe the Lee seating die I was using was not really holding the vmax bullets straight enough. Works fine with FMJBT, more rounded nose, but the vmax has kind of a VLD shape, and the Hornady guides it better, from what I can tell.

I will see how things work on the range...max distance at the range I go to is 200 yds...so can try 50, 100, 200 yds...

 

[brccd]

I had inconsistent results when seating flat based 22 bullets, I switched to 69 SMKs and never had that problem again.

funny, people replied that they never had problems meanwhile you and I have had some difficulty. These things need additional attention to seat properly, from what I am seeing. This is a craft, and we need to learn the little details that make things right, I believe.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I believe the Lee seating die I was using was not really holding the vmax bullets straight enough. Works fine with FMJBT, more rounded nose, but the vmax has kind of a VLD shape, and the Hornady guides it better, from what I can tell.

I will see how things work on the range...max distance at the range I go to is 200 yds...so can try 50, 100, 200 yds...

Nobody sings any praise for Hornady here, but I like the value of their seaters and stems. They work and don’t Marr the bullet. Now get the new click adjustable micrometer top for the seaters, the cats meow.

 

[DShortt]

funny, people replied that they never had problems meanwhile you and I have had some difficulty. These things need additional attention to seat properly, from what I am seeing. This is a craft, and we need to learn the little details that make things right, I believe.

Try seating powdercoated flat based cast bullets in 45ACP without flaring the neck and no neck lube.

That'll get your attention.

You'll wad up a case or 5 pretty quickly, too. Ask me how I know.

Different specifics. Same issue.

 

[effendude]

4 pages of posts and a full length sizing die would solve the problem without much effort....

 

[DShortt]

Nobody sings any praise for Hornady here, but I like the value of their seaters and stems. They work and don’t Marr the bullet. Now get the new click adjustable micrometer top for the seaters, the cats meow.

I don't care for their 300 blackout Custom Made Dies. Wadded up a case or 5 with them attempting to seat flat based bullets, too.

Can't see what is going on when the seating process begins because the case is well up into the body when seating begins.

Flat based 200 grain bullet. Sub-sonic .

 

[DShortt]

4 pages of posts and a full length sizing die would solve the problem without much effort....

Maybe. Pull the expander. Probably not.

I still suspect the OP was working with sized brass from an unknown source that was over-sizing the neck and had the expander removed. We'll never know.

 

[dellet]

funny, people replied that they never had problems meanwhile you and I have had some difficulty. These things need additional attention to seat properly, from what I am seeing. This is a craft, and we need to learn the little details that make things right, I believe.

There as good chance that people who have not had a problem with the flat base 22’s have loaded something else first like pistol or cast bullets first. Maybe they just had a very good mentor instead of learning from a book. It makes a if difference.

I load 22 Hornet and 218 Bee, that’s exactly how I know big fat hands that have some arthritis and eye sight that’s getting fuzzy add more challenges to seating those little bullets.

You’re just able to tap into 1000’s of years of experience from crushing 10,000’s of cases to help you out.

 

[effendude]

Maybe. Pull the expander. Probably not.

I still suspect the OP was working with sized brass from an unknown source that was over-sizing the neck and had the expander removed. We'll never know.

Maybe. Pull the expander. Probably not.

I still suspect the OP was working with sized brass from an unknown source that was over-sizing the neck and had the expander removed. We'll never know.

The OP states on post #9 that the brass was bought bulk, and primed, many years prior. He never sized the brass before loading it, assuming it was ok because it fit in his case gauge. Several of us suggested he resize a few cases to see if the problem was eliminated. The OP chose a bunch of other solutions first. Even "flat base V-Max bullets aren't truly flat on the bottom. They have a nice radius on the bottom to ease in loading. Millions of rounds of V-Max bullets are loaded every year without problems if proper simple procedures are followed. Why do many of us often make it more complicated than it needs to be?

 

[tommeboy]

Some flat base bullets are easier to seat than others. The 55gr FB from Midsouths cheap brand have a very flat sharp base with no radius on the base. So you have to use a VLD chamfer tool. Hornady FBSP and Speer both have a much larger radius on the base and you don't need much of a chamfer.

I had to go to a VLD tool to stop shaving the bullet when seating. The other problem you can run into is not even a die or chamfer issue. If you wet tumble your brass with the pins, you have to lube the neck in some way before seating a bullet. The brass is so clean the bullet and brass will gall the bullet as it is seated.

 

[ebb]

When you reload handgun ammo you bell the case mouth for flat based bullets, why would you not need to do the same with 223 flat based bullets? I guess this is all dependent on how sharp the edge is in relation to the base.

 

[brccd]

update re loading the flat base vmax, .223....

my technique right now, that seems to work for me...

mainly a little bit extra chamfer is needed, enough that the bullet is able to be held by the case prior to seating...



Then the bullet placed, and somewhat held by case in as straight as possible....



Then seated using the hornady seater....




seater....


checked in gauge....



and still...an occasional mess up...if the bullet was not really held ( not enough chamfer) ...result...

cartridge doesnt seat all the way in gauge....seems bullet loads at angle causing neck issue.



FYI ...got the vmax boat tail version, 53gr, loaded them, and had 100% success, with no chamfer!

So, for me, it looks like a bit more effort needed prepping for flat base...

Have 2 batches of vmax to try, flat and boat tail, and will be trying them out at the range to see if I have much difference between the two.

For me, if not much difference...going with boat tails

Will keep you updated.

Maybe others are just better at the technique...giving it all a try. Again, first time trying flat base loads.

that is all....

 

[ebb]

My 69 gr SMKs have a little design feature that makes starting the bullets easier.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

update re loading the flat base vmax, .223....

my technique right now, that seems to work for me...

mainly a little bit extra chamfer is needed, enough that the bullet is able to be held by the case prior to seating...

View attachment 1641135

Then the bullet placed, and somewhat held by case in as straight as possible....

View attachment 1641136

Then seated using the hornady seater....

View attachment 1641137


seater....
View attachment 1641138

checked in gauge....

View attachment 1641139

and still...an occasional mess up...if the bullet was not really held ( not enough chamfer) ...result...

cartridge doesnt seat all the way in gauge....seems bullet loads at angle causing neck issue.

View attachment 1641140

FYI ...got the vmax boat tail version, 53gr, loaded them, and had 100% success, with no chamfer!

So, for me, it looks like a bit more effort needed prepping for flat base...

Have 2 batches of vmax to try, flat and boat tail, and will be trying them out at the range to see if I have much difference between the two.

For me, if not much difference...going with boat tails

Will keep you updated.

Maybe others are just better at the technique...giving it all a try. Again, first time trying flat base loads.

that is all....

Have you tried rotating the case several times while seating the bullet in small increments?

 

[tommeboy]

Even if the bullet has a boattail, you have to do a chamfer. Or the bullet will be damaged

 

[brccd]

Even if the bullet has a boattail, you have to do a chamfer. Or the bullet will be damaged

ok

 

[brccd]

Have you tried rotating the case several times while seating the bullet in small increments?

not much room there to get fingers to rotate case?