Seating Hornady A-Max bullets :( > Reloading

Posted: 4/28/2012 7:53:47 AM EDT

Well I picked up a 250 box of .308 168 gr A-Max bullets the other day and thought I would seat one using Hornady dies (just purchased) for a master case. Trashed!

Did some looking and ordered the SPECIAL plug for the A-Max.

What dies are everyone using with their A-Max bullets? My search did not mention anyone having problems with the profile.

Thanks

Tom

Posted: 4/28/2012 8:13:20 AM EDT

[#1]

I've used standard RCBS dies in 30-06 with the 168 A-Max. No issues.

Posted: 4/28/2012 8:19:13 AM EDT

[#2]

I use Lee dies for 308 with Amax and they work fine.

Posted: 4/28/2012 8:46:07 AM EDT

[#3]

Wow! Those rounds are a thing of beauty. Would almost hate to shoot them (almost).

My seater plug contacts the bullet about where yours did but mangle the heck out of it.

I'll do some more checking and in the mean time the new plug is on the way.

I also have the RCBS SB dies I will try the seater from it. Can I seat only with a Lee 30-06 die?

ETA: I am loading 308.

Thanks for the replies.

Posted: 4/28/2012 9:03:04 AM EDT

[#4]

Using RCBS .308 SB Dies and have yet to have trouble seating 168 grain A-max. I have heard about special adapters though for seating some amax bullets

Posted: 4/28/2012 9:17:48 AM EDT

[#5]

For .308 I use a Forster Benchrest seater die and for .30-06 I use an older RCBS seater die.
They've both worked well for A-max.

Posted: 4/28/2012 9:55:29 AM EDT

[#6]

I just checked and I have an old RCBS 30-06 set I will try the seater.

How many thousands inch neck tension do you have? I am showing .0025 (in case I screwed that up it 2 1/2 thousands).

It seemed pretty tight going in (be nice don't know how else to say it lol). The mouth is chamfered and clean.

Really anxious to try these out.

Thanks

Tom

Posted: 4/29/2012 11:28:13 AM EDT

[#7]

I use the Lee die and haven't had a problem.

Posted: 4/29/2012 12:50:30 PM EDT

[#8]

Don't sweat the tips; they have virtually no affect on where the bullet goes.

Posted: 4/29/2012 1:02:30 PM EDT

[#9]

I'm using standard RCBS dies when reloading 22-250 with Hornady A Max bullets, no problems at all.

Posted: 4/29/2012 6:01:48 PM EDT

[#10]

They shoot nice, also.

Posted: 4/29/2012 6:03:52 PM EDT

[#11]

Did you damage the bullet or case?

Posted: 4/29/2012 6:11:16 PM EDT

[#12]

RCBS small base dies with out using the RCBS roll crimp. I use a Lee factory crimp for that. (EDIT) Never had a problem loading 168 A-MAX bullets in my 308.

Posted: 4/30/2012 7:12:09 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
RCBS small base dies with out using the RCBS roll crimp. I use a Lee factory crimp for that.

Wrong thread?

Posted: 4/30/2012 9:58:01 AM EDT

[#14]

It was the bullet. The tip was fine.

In the picture above you can see a ring where the plug contacts the bullet. That is ok but my plug put a big dent all the way around.

I will try to post a pic later

Tom

Posted: 4/30/2012 10:20:55 AM EDT

[#15]

Friend had the SAME problem you are describing.

He was loading over a compressed charge of varget and the seater was cutting a deep ring into his bullets.

He called up hornady and sent them pictures and they mailed out a new stem.

They said his missed a finishing step and that's why it was still sharp and damaged bullets.

Did you try seeing if hornady would replace your seater?

Posted: 4/30/2012 1:03:30 PM EDT

[#16]

i use rcbs xdie for my 178 grain amax's never had and issues. awesome dies to work with.

Posted: 5/1/2012 1:13:36 AM EDT

[#17]

Thanks for the info.

Posted: 5/1/2012 6:58:29 AM EDT

[#18]

Update:

Well I did some more checking with the Hornady seating die and I think I found the sliding sleeve was sticking and I probably did not back off the crimp adjustment enough. I took apart and cleaned the die and was able to seat a bullet without damaging the bullet but it still leaves more of a mark than I would like. My RCBS seater die leaves very little mark (much like the pictures posted above). I will try the Hornady again after I get the new plug.

I have never had this problem before. I think I will polish the inside of my seater stems and make sure there are no sharp edges. I think the profile of the A-Max exaggerates the problem.

Now to bust open the new can of Varget and find my ocw.

Thanks for the help

Tom

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Seating Hornady A-Max bullets :(

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Seating Hornady A-Max bullets :(