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Posted: 4/23/2009 5:33:00 PM EDT
| been loading rifle for a while now, but just started loading 45 on my own. Reloaded a little before with some help, but I'm here because I can't get ahold of the guy that got me started. I'm using my own press and dies now, but I have my seating depth where I want it, but after seating a bullet to measure oal it seems like the bullet is seating a little crooked and it is makin the brass bulge a little on one side. I tried 2 bullets and got the same result...what am I doing wrong? Could it be my brass isnt flared enough? |
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My thoughts are if you can feel the flare after seating your seater die is not screwed down too far. The rest is variable because you could still be flaring too much.
My method for 45 from memory for RCBS dies... Remove seater stem and clean die parts. Screw seater die down on resized case that is not flared yet until it touches it. Then back seater die out 1/2 to 1 turn and lock it down. Then install seating stem and adjust seating depth to correct OAL. This setting will require crimping after seating and you should be able to feel the flare after seating a bullet. If you do not still feel the flare after the seater is backed out 1/2 turn you may not be flaring enough. Normally, flare amount from flare die can be seen and felt prior to bullet seating. |
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What kind of brass are you using?
What bullet are you using? What is your OAL? Do you have this problem with every brand of brass? Just need more info. 
edit to add, check your seating stem in the seating die, you wouldn't want the SWC's stem for RN's. Also are you seating and crimping in the same die? I'm just full of questions tonight. |
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Quoted:
So it looks like a coke bottle? That is just fine and normal Couple of possible things to consider: I am of the thought that seating is one step, and that crimping is a seperate step. So try seating them crimping.... Why do you say that? The reason I ask is that RCBS says in their instructions to do just that - seat and crimp in the same step. I have had some issues with reloading my .45s, I just recently reloaded a couple hundred rounds for my older 1911 and they performed flawless, but I had many Fail to Feed in my new SA TRP 1911, so it is back to the drawing board to get them to fit in my new 1911. My personal experience has been that I have to do quite a bit of monkeying around with .45s to get them to come out looking and functioning right. Especially compared to any rifle cartridge I've reloaded. |
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Quoted:
What kind of brass are you using? winchester What bullet are you using? Zero 230grn hp What is your OAL? can't remember offhand Do you have this problem with every brand of brass? only winchester brass Just need more info.
edit to add, check your seating stem in the seating die, you wouldn't want the SWC's stem for RN's. Yeah I checked that before I started reloading Also are you seating and crimping in the same die? I will be, but was just getting seating depth adjusted. Followed RCBS' instructions to the TI'm just full of questions tonight. Not a problem, and info I can give to get answers works for me I still am really unsure on the amount of flaring for the brass, it could very well be that I am not flaring it enough. |
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this has happened to me as well.
i figured out there were two causes: 1. the cartridge hadn't been flared enough 2. the cartridge wasn't aligned correctly in the shell holder. when the arm was pulled and the cartridge was fed into the die, it would do so off center affecting how the bullet was seated, creating a bulge on one side. go slow and make sure that the cartridge is pushed all the way into the shell holder. (and as others have pointed out, make sure the die is clean as well) |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
So it looks like a coke bottle? That is just fine and normal Couple of possible things to consider: I am of the thought that seating is one step, and that crimping is a seperate step. So try seating them crimping.... Why do you say that? The reason I ask is that RCBS says in their instructions to do just that - seat and crimp in the same step. I have had some issues with reloading my .45s, I just recently reloaded a couple hundred rounds for my older 1911 and they performed flawless, but I had many Fail to Feed in my new SA TRP 1911, so it is back to the drawing board to get them to fit in my new 1911. My personal experience has been that I have to do quite a bit of monkeying around with .45s to get them to come out looking and functioning right. Especially compared to any rifle cartridge I've reloaded. Separating the two operations makes the process simpler to set up, and gives far better control over each step. Try it, see what you think. |
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Quoted:
this has happened to me as well. i figured out there were two causes: 1. the cartridge hadn't been flared enough 2. the cartridge wasn't aligned correctly in the shell holder. when the arm was pulled and the cartridge was fed into the die, it would do so off center affecting how the bullet was seated, creating a bulge on one side. go slow and make sure that the cartridge is pushed all the way into the shell holder. (and as others have pointed out, make sure the die is clean as well) I cleaned the dies before I ever used them, as for the case not being aligned that was the first thing I knew to check, but it was ok. I'm going to go with it being a flaring issue and flare the brass a bit more and see what happens. I'll post back tomorrow with the results. Thanks to all |
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Quoted: Well, got up and started back at the bench, flared the brass a bit more and like magic, it worked. Thanks guys for the help You want the optimal flare. Too much and you weaken the case neck and get fewer reloads per case. Not enough and you get problems seating correctly. My test is to adjust the flare until the bullet will sit on top of the case neck steadily and straight when placed there by hand with no pressure. It really doesn't take much flare, just enough to start guiding the bullet into the case. |
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Well, got up and started back at the bench, flared the brass a bit more and like magic, it worked. Thanks guys for the help Excellent. I'm glad you got it figured out.
For everyone really, here's a good video on flaring pistol cartridges: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3kTZgfPTD8&feature=channel_page It's 8 minutes long, but for the cliff notes version, you can skip the beginning (setup) and watch from 3:12 to 3:50 and again 5:47 to 8:00. He's got a bunch of other really good videos too. |
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I will, thanks. If only I could find more bullets locally and not have to wait from online retailers  If you are in Cheyenne, this place is right outside of town on Otto road across from the Cheyenne Regulators Range: http://www.cheycast.com/ He gave me some for free, more then I expected, when I asked for a sampling of .44 caliber bullets to find out which shot better in my new lever gun. I would call before heading out there because he goes fishing a lot. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Well, got up and started back at the bench, flared the brass a bit more and like magic, it worked. Thanks guys for the help You want the optimal flare. Too much and you weaken the case neck and get fewer reloads per case. Not enough and you get problems seating correctly. My test is to adjust the flare until the bullet will sit on top of the case neck steadily and straight when placed there by hand with no pressure. It really doesn't take much flare, just enough to start guiding the bullet into the case. Yeah, originally I was just worried about flaring the brass too much because I didn't want to weaken it, so I did what you said. I just added a little more flaring to the brass until the bullet just sat in it and level. Worked like a charm...now gotta go empty the brass at a practice match tomorrow 
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