Newbie Question > Reloading

Posted: 4/4/2011 1:48:49 PM EDT

I am currently using a Lee Portable Turrent Press that I obtain back in the early 1980's. I am using it for reloading 223 ammo. I have loaded about 40 rounds so far but on 6 of them, I noticed the shoulder is wide, wide enough that I can feel a bump all around the brass. It occurs when I am using the bullet seating die. I thought at first it was becuase I was pushing the round to far into the die and have back off , ie. move the die upward, and it appears to have solve the problem. Today I did some reloads and out of 20 rounds, 2 have the feelable shoulder. Any suggestions or recommendations? BTW I bought a digital caliper and the overall length of the rounds are about 56 mm +/- .02.

Posted: 4/4/2011 2:35:27 PM EDT

[#1]

What kind of dies? It sounds like you are crimping the case while it is seating the bullet.
Try backing the die out another half turn or so, and then reset to the depth you want using the seating
stem only.

Posted: 4/4/2011 6:15:28 PM EDT

[#2]

Thanks for the reply. I'm using Lee Dies I did back off the die by about 1/2 a turn. Guess I'll just have to make sure I'm not pulling to much on the handle when I seat the bullet and crimp it.

Posted: 4/4/2011 6:29:19 PM EDT

[#3]

Did you trim the case length back? Bottle-neck rifle cases have to be trimmed after sizing or the case sticks out too far.

You may need to buy a "case trimmer" and look up the trim length of your case.

Posted: 4/4/2011 6:39:01 PM EDT

[#4]

I would recommend seating and crimping as seperate steps.
The shoulder bulge you describe is the result of too much crimp.

Posted: 4/4/2011 7:56:01 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
I would recommend seating and crimping as seperate steps.
The shoulder bulge you describe is the result of too much crimp.

This,

get a Lee FCD, factory crimp die for crimping. The shoulders won't bulge then.

My 223 dies, FCD on the right.

Posted: 4/5/2011 3:07:52 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
What kind of dies? It sounds like you are crimping the case while it is seating the bullet.
Try backing the die out another half turn or so, and then reset to the depth you want using the seating
stem only.

If I had $1 for every reloader that had this happen, I'd buy my own range.

Posted: 4/5/2011 5:44:21 AM EDT

[#7]

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. It looks like I will need to get a case trimmer and the Lee FCD as a future purchase. I'll will stick to Lee Products due to cost and familiarity. I am using Hodgdon H 380 powder and I was wondering if anyone know of a load for bullets above 60 grains? The table I have from Lee only goes up to 60 grains. I like to try either a 62 or 69 grain FMJBT.

Posted: 4/5/2011 4:09:41 PM EDT

[#8]

Thats because H380 is for light varmint bullets. Originally for 22-250.

For heavy you want to use H335 or H322 depending on your cases, bullet length, etc.
I have to use H322 in commercial cases with 75gr bullets because of the smaller volume issues.

Look online for Hodgdon data, and also AccurateArms data.
Hodgdon also prints an Annual Manual in magazine format...

Also to solve the bullet seat crimp problem, read the Lee instructions. They are with the dies, or online at the Lee website. They have all their instructions in pdf form.

Good luck.

Posted: 4/8/2011 11:10:01 AM EDT

[#9]

Thanks, I was not aware H-380 was for light bullets. Guess I better head to the book store and get Hodgdon relaoding manual.

Posted: 4/8/2011 7:29:29 PM EDT

[#10]

Hodgdon puts out a yearly manual nowdays, to try to keep up with all of the new powders and cartridges.

The 2011's list price is $8.99. They also contain several useful articles on the new developments.

Also they haveOn line data.

Warning

Confirm Action

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Newbie Question

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Newbie Question