Bullet seating problem.

[7222 Hawker]

I am loading some 6.5x55 Swedish and have encountered a problem with the bullets not seating straight. Never have had this problem with .30-06 or .308. Any reason for this and how do I fix it. I just set up the die and the bullets are visibly crooked when I roll the loaded cartridge across a flat surface.

[22popnsplat]

I have found that if you crack the shell holder loose and seat the bullet only about 1/3 the way into the case and then rotate the case 180 degrees and seat the bullet another 1/3 and rotate and then repeat on once more to the final depth the runout will be cut drastically .

[7222 Hawker]

I have found that if you crack the shell holder loose and seat the bullet only about 1/3 the way into the case and then rotate the case 180 degrees and seat the bullet another 1/3 and rotate and then repeat on once more to the final depth the runout will be cut drastically .

Never thought of that but it seems like it would work. I thought maybe the plug was set too deep and the die screwed in too shallow but I really don't know - never had this problem before.

[22popnsplat]

It may also help to know what press and dies you are using ?

[7222 Hawker]

It may also help to know what press and dies you are using ?

Using a Rock Chucker Supreme and RCBS standard dies.

[22popnsplat]

good press and dies . I am always carfull to let the shell holder be free floating , doing as decribed in my first post you can load rounds with less than .002 runout easily and with a little more care you can cut that by half on most any press. I use a rock chucker , old lyman and a cheap *** Lee all the time and load my bulk handgun ammo on a dillon 550 but have never checked the runout on the dillon.

[7222 Hawker]

Am I having this problem because the 6.5x55 are so long and narrow compared to most rifle bullets?

[ar15barrels]

If you don't have the die body down to support the case at final seating, the bullet won't be aligned with the neck very well.

Try this adjustment method for the seating die:
Start with just a case, no bullet.
Start with the die loosened up off the shellholder about 1/4" or so.
Run the press ram all the way up with the case.
Screw the die down until it JUST touches the case and then back it off 1/12 of a turn.
Now loosen up the seating stem about 3/4" or so from where it was set.
Pull the case down out of the die and add a bullet.
Run the case and bullet back up into the die.
Screw the seating stem back down until it touches the bullet.
Pull the case and bullet back down out of the die.
Screw the seating stem in some more, about 1/16" less than the amount the bullet needs to be seated.
Run the case and bullet back up into the die, seating the bullet.
Pull the case and bullet back out of the die, measure the overall length and make a final seating adjustment to the die according to what you desire.

[7222 Hawker]

If you don't have the die body down to support the case at final seating, the bullet won't be aligned with the neck very well.

Try this adjustment method for the seating die:
Start with just a case, no bullet.
Start with the die loosened up off the shellholder about 1/4" or so.
Run the press ram all the way up with the case.
Screw the die down until it JUST touches the case and then back it off 1/12 of a turn.
Now loosen up the seating stem about 3/4" or so from where it was set.
Pull the case down out of the die and add a bullet.
Run the case and bullet back up into the die.
Screw the seating stem back down until it touches the bullet.
Pull the case and bullet back down out of the die.
Screw the seating stem in some more, about 1/16" less than the amount the bullet needs to be seated.
Run the case and bullet back up into the die, seating the bullet.
Pull the case and bullet back out of the die, measure the overall length and make a final seating adjustment to the die according to what you desire.

Thank you. Will do.

[Beelzy]

+1 on the different shellholder.

[Jicko]

Get a better die..... not all dies are made the same....

Recommendation: Redding Competition Micrometer Seater Die

*problem solved*