223 Bullet Alignment/Placement

[Skyler76]

OK, I'd consider myself and intermediate reloader. I've loaded 1000s of 308 & 30-06, and 10s of 1000s of a few handgun calibers. I recently picked up a .223 and figured I'd load for it too. Everything is fine except for seating.

I've never had this issue but I have quite a few issues with bullets not seating correctly as they won't sit straight in the neck when I put them on. I try and line them up vertically but I guess when they go up into the seater they fall to the side, I feel more than regular resistance on the press handle and back them out only to find out that the bullet went in a bit to the side and crushed the neck of the brass. I am using RCBS stuff. I do for all my calibers. Using Hornady 50gr Btip Molys.

Anyone? Is this just a curse of the smaller caliber?

[shadowofnight]

Here is your answer... http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=173612

you toss the bullet in the open window of the die...best purchase you will ever make for loading tiny bullets.

[huckberry668]

check your seating stem. remove it from the die and make sure the cup and stem is straight and free of defects.

the side of the seater die is shaped like the case, when you run the bullet into the neck portion of the die it should straighten & line up the bullet to the case mouth. and the die should support the case at this point. if your seating stem is adjusted too low into the die, the bullet wouldn't have a chance to straighten up and it can get caught by something that causes it to go in crooked.

loosen the die ring, turn the seating stem all the way up, run the press ram all the up with an empty case in the shell holder. turn your seating die down will you feel resistance, then back off half a turn to make sure it doesn't crimp the case mouth.

Replace the empty case with a properly loaded round in the shell holder, run it fully into the die, adjust the seating stem down till you feel resistance and try loading again. see if you get anymore crooked rounds.

[GeoffLinder]

If you are using flat base bullets, getting them to seat square can be a PITA. If you are using boat tail bullets they should sit straight very easily.

The seating die with the cutaway shown above may be a help, but you should check everything as mentioned in the previous post first.

[joelogic]

I pinch the bullet and ride it into the die.

[SixPointEight]

I find with flat base bullets, a deep chamfer helps too. I also hold my bullets until the die takes over

[Skyler76]

Thanks guys... Although I'd love to buy a comp die, I don't see that happening soon. I thought it maybe the flat bullets as suggested but I'll for sure check out the die. I had thought of the chamfer but didn't want to thin the brass out too much. I may still try this though.

[SixPointEight]

Youd be thinning such a small portion of the neck it wont matter. Whats this ammo for? Matches, plinking hunting? I doubt even match ammo woukd show a notable difference in accuracy from chamfering

[Skyler76]

Probably mostly hunting ammo.

[GeoffLinder]

Agreed with JT, the chamfer will not hurt anything at all and will almost certainly help your situation.

[Skyler76]

I do always chamfer after sizing but I guess I could do a couple more turns

[ireload]

Skyler maybe send a bullet sample to RCBS so they can custom cut a seating stem for the particular bullet you are using. That custom stem should grab/hold the bullet straight enough while seating. Give RCBS a call and inquire.

Also check your seating stem to make sure it's true/straight. If the stem is even bent slightly it can be exaggerated at the case. I'm afraid you'll have to use a dial indicator for this. But a flat straight edge metal ruler may work.