I'm using a Lee Dead Length Seater out of the Lee Deluxe set of 270Win dies. I've loaded over 200 rounds of Sierra Match 135s and Berger VLDs. My die will not seat the V-Max deep enough, not even close to the cannalure and to set them where I need in relation to the lands, I was hoping towards the top of cannalure. I tried putting a "spacer" in between the inside top of adjustment knob and the floating piece that grabs the bullet. Got it to seat my dummy round to length. All my real rounds, it will seat them at random lengths and every single one of them is loose as a goose inside the case neck, I can spin the bullets around but not loose enough to pull out by hand. I suspect if I try crimping, it will mess up my seating depth. Should I buy RCBS dies for this bullet? Has anyone successfully loaded 110gr V-Max into a 270WIN case?? I'll be buying RCBS dies tomorrow or next week if I can't figure this out.
V-Max and Lee die problem
- Thread starter 270WinDude
- Start date
http://leeprecision.net/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/121/54/die-set-explanations
Is this the Collet die set?
Is this the Collet die set?
V-MAX Bullets Need Custom Bullet Seating Plug
Posted by Andy @ Lee Precision on 02 April 2018 09:50 AM
99% of reloader's typically use flat or round nose bullets when loading for most cartridges. The long slender point on the Hornady V-MAX bullets certainly helps the ballistic performance of the round, but it does increase the overall length of the cartridge when the bullet is seated so that it is at or close to the rifling. The overall length listed is a dimension that will provide action clearance in the shortest standard magazine or feed mechanism. You do not have to observe this maximum overall dimension, and most reloader's do not, as best accuracy is obtained when the bullet is seated as close as possible to the rifling.
If it is essential that you must seat your bullet to the max overall length, or if your rifle does not allow the cartridge to feed with the longer overall length, we offer a custom bullet seating plug service. Send a sample bullet to us and place an order through this link: http://leeprecision.com/custom-bullet-seating-plug.html
Send the sample bullet you want the plug made for, along with a copy of your invoice, and we will make the plug for you.
Lee Precision, Inc.
4275 County Road U
Hartford, WI 53027
Yes it is. It's called the Collet Die Set on that link. It's the same thing but when I bought it they called it a "Deluxe" set.
nevermind you were right. On amazon it's called Lee Precision Reloading 270 WIN Ultimate Rifle Die Set ... Not sure where I got the deluxe from
The bullet hold will be very light using the collet die.
The dead length seat die does not crimp.
I would not crimp for a 270 win bolt action rifle.
The Lee website gives info to help with the collet die.
A standard die set like RCBS containing a full length sizing die and a seating die should be more useful for a hunting rifle.
The dead length seat die does not crimp.
I would not crimp for a 270 win bolt action rifle.
The Lee website gives info to help with the collet die.
A standard die set like RCBS containing a full length sizing die and a seating die should be more useful for a hunting rifle.
I haven't crimped any of my 135gr sierra matchkings or Berger vlds. I was considering the crimp since the vmax are so loose but decided against it. I'll check out the website now, thanks.
Knowledgebase
Collet die pressure exertion
Posted by on 01 September 2015 04:02 PM
All of the sizing in the Collet die takes place at the very end of the stroke, when the ram/shell holder appears to bottom out against the base of the die. If you lean into the handle at this point, you will force the collet up into the die body, and cause the collet to squeeze the case neck down against the mandrel (the very end of which pops out the spent primer). About 25 lbs. of force is sufficient to resize most cases. If you are sitting in front of your press, just leaning your upper body weight into the lever is about right.
A good way to determine how much is necessary is to start the case into the die and feel the die remove the primer. Start using pressure and work up to what you think is about 25 lbs. Remove the case from the die and attempt to place the intended bullet in the case neck. If there is little or no resistance, repeat the process with slightly more pressure. When you have reached a point where there are vertical striation marks on the outside of the case neck or the intended bullet does not fit easily into the case neck, the correct amount of pressure has been achieved.
Collet die pressure exertion
Posted by on 01 September 2015 04:02 PM
All of the sizing in the Collet die takes place at the very end of the stroke, when the ram/shell holder appears to bottom out against the base of the die. If you lean into the handle at this point, you will force the collet up into the die body, and cause the collet to squeeze the case neck down against the mandrel (the very end of which pops out the spent primer). About 25 lbs. of force is sufficient to resize most cases. If you are sitting in front of your press, just leaning your upper body weight into the lever is about right.
A good way to determine how much is necessary is to start the case into the die and feel the die remove the primer. Start using pressure and work up to what you think is about 25 lbs. Remove the case from the die and attempt to place the intended bullet in the case neck. If there is little or no resistance, repeat the process with slightly more pressure. When you have reached a point where there are vertical striation marks on the outside of the case neck or the intended bullet does not fit easily into the case neck, the correct amount of pressure has been achieved.
Knowledgebase
Easy Adjust Dead Length Bullet Seating die adjustment
Posted by on 13 August 2015 03:32 PM
Make sure that you have the bullet seating die adjusted down so that the shell holder contacts the base of the die when the ram is raised to the top of its stroke. The Ultimate, Collet and PaceSetter 3-die sets come with the Easy Adjust Dead length bullet seating die, which does not crimp the case, and is designed to be adjusted that way to eliminate clearance in the press for a more uniform bullet seating depth.
Easy Adjust Dead Length Bullet Seating die adjustment
Posted by on 13 August 2015 03:32 PM
Make sure that you have the bullet seating die adjusted down so that the shell holder contacts the base of the die when the ram is raised to the top of its stroke. The Ultimate, Collet and PaceSetter 3-die sets come with the Easy Adjust Dead length bullet seating die, which does not crimp the case, and is designed to be adjusted that way to eliminate clearance in the press for a more uniform bullet seating depth.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
ditch the lee stuff and get a more suitable die. even an rcbs will seat that bullet past the neck if you want it to.
I got the RCBS die set for 40 bucks today. It seats the bullets. Problem is that once the cannalure meets the top of the case neck it's still loose and can spin or slide up and down the cannalure area. I'm wondering if my full length sizing before hand wasn't done right. I pulled all 33 bullets and salvaged most of the powder. I will keep the primed cases and see if I can use them from my matchkings or berger vlds later on but a bit worried that it's stretched a bit much since seating and pulling the vmax. I will full length size some brass tomorrow with my lee and my rcbs dies and try seating the bullets again. I almost wonder if my batch of vmax are slightly too small. Will update when I find out what the issue was.
Also I was going to buy a more expensive die for bullet seating but I read the Lee book first and developed a bias towards their products because I liked his writing style. I'm learning as I go here, been in the game for like 2 months. Bought all my reloading gear first then the rifle last. Will see what happens as time goes on I guess. Thanks for the heads up on the rcbs die over lee, seemed to have worked I think.
Also I was going to buy a more expensive die for bullet seating but I read the Lee book first and developed a bias towards their products because I liked his writing style. I'm learning as I go here, been in the game for like 2 months. Bought all my reloading gear first then the rifle last. Will see what happens as time goes on I guess. Thanks for the heads up on the rcbs die over lee, seemed to have worked I think.
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Full length resize all brass using the RCBS die. Even brass that had bullets seated in them.
The decapping pin can be removed for the primed brass. Just the pin, not the expander part. Do lube the inside of the case necks.
The RCBS fl die should contact the shell holder wnen fl sizing. Best for a new reloader, till you get past the learning curve.
Check diameters of the bullets and expander. The expander diameter will be about .002" smaller then the correct bullet diameter.
If bullets are seated to deep, short OAL , its possible for some bullets to fall inside the case. if the powder doesn't stop it.
The decapping pin can be removed for the primed brass. Just the pin, not the expander part. Do lube the inside of the case necks.
The RCBS fl die should contact the shell holder wnen fl sizing. Best for a new reloader, till you get past the learning curve.
Check diameters of the bullets and expander. The expander diameter will be about .002" smaller then the correct bullet diameter.
If bullets are seated to deep, short OAL , its possible for some bullets to fall inside the case. if the powder doesn't stop it.
Most single stage reloading presses will work ok with this method.
Its best to measure sizing, shoulder set back. Even more so , if using a Dillon type progressive press.
I found the shell plate can give a different fl sizing at each station.
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