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Posted: 2/28/2011 11:15:47 PM EDT
| Ok so I loaded a batch of .223 yesterday, and 5 out of the 100 rounds I reloaded had collapsed shoulders that created a bulge and would not seat properly in the ol ar. I had to pull the bullets and toss the brass. Now I realize that 5% is not that bad a margin of error when I'm loading bulk blinking rounds, but I would love to know if anyone has had this happen and what could be the culprit. The brass is fine up until I seat the bullet. The brass goes into the seater die with a bullet to seat and on the downstroke the case shoulder "magically" collapses. I'm using random range pick up brass, IMR 4198, and 55 grain sierra bullets with a cannular. Any help would be appreciated. |
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Quoted: It sounds like the crimp feature on your die is trying to crimp as the bullet is still being seated. Is your trim length consistant? Photos always help in these situations. That is what it sounds like to me too. When it comes to reloading 5% is way too high for errors. If the crimping is the problem I always seat my bullets with one die and use a crimp die in a separate step it is an easy fix.
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Back the seater die body out an eigth of a turn off the case mouth after the crimp ring contacts, then adjust the seater stem to set the bullet depth. Crimp in a separate step or skip it altogether.
Unfortunately we have to sacrifice some brass occasionally. I about cried over losing 8 or 9 .22 Jet cases to seating problems. |
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Quoted:
As AeroE is oft to say, if you are going to bulk roll crimp after seating, then the trim length after sizing and trimming needs to be precise. http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh133/counterclockwisester/collapsedshoulder2.jpg Mine did the same thing before I started really making sure to trim every piece to spec. Don't be a moron like me and try to cut corners. Collapsed shouldered brass is better than an OOB explosion I guess. |
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