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Hello all,
Looking for tips and tricks from lead bullet loaders.
I haven't been loading all that long. A few years now maybe. Other than shotshells when I was a kid trying to save money on Wednesday night trap shooting.
I usually do FMJ or plated bullets, both rifle and pistol and have worked out most of the kinks and teething problems I think. But doing some lead now - 357, 38sp, and 45 auto. Running into some issues.
The 357 and 38sp aren't too bad, but I'm having difficulty getting the lead bullets seated straight in the 45. Using all Hornady dies on the LNL AP.
Getting that misalignment ring on the sides of most of the cases when you push down a bullet that is sitting crooked before the seater. A few bad enough that they won't chamber nicely.
I played with the flare so I can get the bullet well into the case so it won't tip over as I cycle the press. And I try to align it the best I can, but it's definitely not as nice as the copper bullets. (had the flare high enough it wouldn't feed into the crimper, so I've hit both sides of the adjustment range I think)
Is this just due to the sticky lube and soft nature of the lead? (i.e. just need more patience and persistence)
Is there some tip to getting the lead bullets seated right easily?
Should I use a different flaring die? (maybe a longer, lower angle flare would help)
I had the same issue on the 357 and 38sp at first, but with a proper flare it was easier to seat the bullets and the bulges pretty much are gone from the bullet seating. The 45 is being pissy with me still.
I could just give up on lead and stick with copper, but I'm not one to let myself be beaten that easily. I'd like to be able to do it properly even if I eventually decide it's not worth the hassle and never do it again.
C
Looking for tips and tricks from lead bullet loaders.
I haven't been loading all that long. A few years now maybe. Other than shotshells when I was a kid trying to save money on Wednesday night trap shooting.
I usually do FMJ or plated bullets, both rifle and pistol and have worked out most of the kinks and teething problems I think. But doing some lead now - 357, 38sp, and 45 auto. Running into some issues.
The 357 and 38sp aren't too bad, but I'm having difficulty getting the lead bullets seated straight in the 45. Using all Hornady dies on the LNL AP.
Getting that misalignment ring on the sides of most of the cases when you push down a bullet that is sitting crooked before the seater. A few bad enough that they won't chamber nicely.
I played with the flare so I can get the bullet well into the case so it won't tip over as I cycle the press. And I try to align it the best I can, but it's definitely not as nice as the copper bullets. (had the flare high enough it wouldn't feed into the crimper, so I've hit both sides of the adjustment range I think)
Is this just due to the sticky lube and soft nature of the lead? (i.e. just need more patience and persistence)
Is there some tip to getting the lead bullets seated right easily?
Should I use a different flaring die? (maybe a longer, lower angle flare would help)
I had the same issue on the 357 and 38sp at first, but with a proper flare it was easier to seat the bullets and the bulges pretty much are gone from the bullet seating. The 45 is being pissy with me still.
I could just give up on lead and stick with copper, but I'm not one to let myself be beaten that easily. I'd like to be able to do it properly even if I eventually decide it's not worth the hassle and never do it again.
C
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