Bullet won't seat far enough

[Knife Edge]

Using a Redding T-7 press with Redding .308 and .223 dies, no issues with the .223 dies. I have run into a bit of an issue with the bullet seating die for the .308. The instructions in the die set tell you to raise the ram and set the die one full turn off the shellholder. On other forums reloaders have suggested inserting an empty, sized case and turn in the die until it touches, or starts to crimp, then back off 1/2 turn. I tried both and the later is equivalent to 3/4 turn off the ram. With the bullet seating plug turned all the way into the die I am getting an OAL of 2.82." For my particular setup 2.810 would be ideal and anything at all over 2.819 to 2.820 can cause feeding issues.

I am at a loss for what I am doing wrong to get the OAL any shorter, it seems everything is as close as I can get without actually starting to crimp the throat.

Thanks in advance.

The ram fully extended, just 1/2 turn off the press


This is as far as the plunger will screw into the die leaving me with 2.82"


My existing length:


A FGMM 175g SMK


At the existing length there would likely be some interference in cycling

[Sub95]

need to loosen top lock nut and turn down the seat plunger ( black nob on top turn it down tell you find the oal you want )

thats how you adjust oal.

[noylj]

The bullet seating stem sure looks like it has 1/8" more thread you could use. Or, you could get a thinner lock nut. Or, you could machine/file off the bottom of the die. Or, you could contact the manufacturer (RCBS) and ask them.
Looks like it almost fits the magazine, so you shouldn't need to seat much deeper.

[Knife Edge]

Did some more research and calling. Turns out the VLD's have a very sharp spire and as a such the bullet plug grabs too far down. Believe it or not, the bullet plug (black knob) is bottomed out on a ledge inside the die. Contemplating using the .224 bullet plug which seems to grab the .308 VLD bullet just fine....

Also:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/tag/vld/

[Dark Mod]

Did some more research and calling. Turns out the VLD's have a very sharp spire and as a such the bullet plug grabs too far down. Believe it or not, the bullet plug (black knob) is bottomed out on a ledge inside the die. Contemplating using the .224 bullet plug which seems to grab the .308 VLD bullet just fine....

Also:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/tag/vld/

How wierd that the dies arent set up to accomodate a sharp spire point.... youd think they would anticipate people using these types of bullets with .308

[30Cal]

VLDs are still fairly specialized gear. IME, they're picky and don't shoot well unless they're seated very close to the lands.

[Knife Edge]

Stuff that makes you wonder.... Ill probably save those for another project or trade them out for some A-Max

[Wrangler John]

Take a few minutes to call Redding at (607)753-3331 , or contact through http://redding-reloading.com/contact-redding-reloading describing the problem, they will solve the problem for you. Redding has great customer service, but most die manufacturers will adjust seating stems for a specific bullet. Some bullets will require a specially fitted seating stem, as no one stem can possibly work with every bullet ogive radius and contour. Redding just replaced a die for me with out of specification threads, called me to discuss the problem and apologize for the inconvenience and offered to check the press turret to be certain it was also in specification as some had left the factory with tight threads. I received the replacement die in a couple of days via express mail. Great service.