I fireform with 50 vmax and shoot 75 amax in an 8 twist. I shoot 53 vmax in a 9 twist.
What 223 AI dies?
- Thread starter RabbitSlayer
- Start date
The ammo loaded with the lee dies shoots about the same as all the other loads with 53gr vmax in starline brass. Mirage and wind were not favorable for shooting the best groups. I will try again when conditions are really good.
Just an update. I loaded 24 yesterday, and I think since I didnt use graphite in the neck before seating it increased the seating force and clearly damaged the end of every bullet. I just mailed a bullet off to lee for a custom seating stem. Their website actually says vmax requires a custom stem.
Additionally, I found the sizing die works the necks more than my other dies. I size with the decapping rod removed, and then use a .222 turning mandrel. The mandrel makes the neck OD increase .004. In contrast, my Forster 223 die with the same lot of brass the mandrel increases the neck OD .002. I anneal every firing, so it probably doesn't matter much.
Additionally, I found the sizing die works the necks more than my other dies. I size with the decapping rod removed, and then use a .222 turning mandrel. The mandrel makes the neck OD increase .004. In contrast, my Forster 223 die with the same lot of brass the mandrel increases the neck OD .002. I anneal every firing, so it probably doesn't matter much.
I sent the bullet off on a monday and it shipped back the next monday. Way better fit and the bullet cant tip sideways now.
urbanrifleman
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Why do you use graphite? Because you are sizing the neck too small?
I normally lube the neck with graphite before the mandrel. This leaves some in the neck. I have read some people when using a black nitride mandrel only lube new brass. After there is carbon in the neck, that provides enough lube since the nitride is so slick. Since im only working with 25 pieces I thought I would try that. Seemed to work fine.
The new seating stem created a new problem. Since the bullet goes so far up into the stem, now I had to adjust the micrometer a bunch to get back to the target CBTO for mag length. I ran out of adjustment. The stem is bottomed out and is not floating and just barely reaches The target CBTO. I wouldn't be able to do any seating depth testing. Some needs to be taken off the base of the die ( its already camming over firmly) back to lee i guess.... Considering my time is money, I should have just got the Redding. In my mind, I haven't saved a penny now.
Tikka mag length is about 2.280 with the nose dragging so my target is 2.275, so that means i can't even get to saami 2.260 COL.
Tikka mag length is about 2.280 with the nose dragging so my target is 2.275, so that means i can't even get to saami 2.260 COL.
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I have a 22-250AI die from Lee and have been very very pleased with it.
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