Loading 223 - jackets crushing and then...

[USAbodypilot]

Started loading first batch of .223 on the progressive for the first time. Seating V-Max 50gn into cases that have been sized but not chamfered.

The jackets are getting messed up as the bullets are seating. When I load pistol there is the option to bell the mouth with my Lee dies - cant work out how (or if) I can do the same with 223. The V-Max bullets have a slight taper at the bottom that I thought would avoid problems but they are too tight somehow.

One of the attempts clearly had waaaaay too much friction as this was the result (don't laugh at me as I freely admit I am learning by my mistakes and have close to no idea what I am doing!);

[joelogic]

Bullets are relatively soft and would not crush cases.
What die are you using? I suspect the die is screwed down too far. Raise the die and lower the seating plug.

Good you can admit you dont know what you are doing, but you really should find someone IRL to help.

[USAbodypilot]

I loaded 10 rounds and this was the only one that did this. The dies are a Lee carbide set. The seating die was screwed in until it touched the case neck (case in the shell plate) and then screwed out 1/2 a turn.

I think the seating die is setup correctly??

Best I can do for help is books, youtube and you guys helping as I don't know many shooting people and nobody who reloads. Am in Aliso Viejo, CA if anyone wants a reloading buddy :-)

[ExtremeX]

Whoa.. that’s wild, never seen that before.

Are you sure the expander ball for the neck is the correct size? That seems like it must have been real tight for that to happen. Maybe someone with more reloading experience can comment. Maybe the die or die setup is incorrect?

I’m new to this stuff myself, but the biggest issue I had was bullets going in canted when seating, and stripping some of the copper off the jackets during seating and this was with flat base bullets. Most of these problems when away when I applied even just a little chamfer. I can get away seating boat tail bullets without a chamfer, but I do it as part of my case prep now because it just makes the entire process smoother with less issues.

Try using this, I got it at home depot and use it as my chamfer tool. Just a quick hit with my cordless drill does the trick.

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Power-Tool-Accessories-Drill-Bits/Ryobi/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc248Z1aw/R-202070838/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

For the issues I had with flat base bullets and seating stems from not having a bullet guide in my seating die. I came up with the idea of using a straw that just happens to fit snug on the .223 case necks. Works very well but it really slows me down.

[joelogic]

[USAbodypilot]

OK thanks for the tip. I'll hit Home Depot tomorrow and pick that widget up to see if it solves the problem. I don't think I will need the straws as the slight taper on the base allows the V-Max bullets to seat enough to stay vertical even if I don't hold them on the upstroke of the ram.

PS - love this forum, I posted after midnight and got great help within minutes :-)

[Wrangler John]

Necks that have not been chamfered will cause the collapse you experienced.

The case necks need to be inside and outside chamfered after being trimmed to length. If the necks of new cases are not distorted or dented, they can be chamfered before being sized, but they need to be inside lubricated with something like: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/614...onvenience-pak This will prevent the necks from galling and being stretched when the expander ball drags through. The residual will also aid seating a bullet.

Measure a batch of cases for length and then trim all to the shortest length measured, or trim to the "trim to length" listed in the manuals. You just want to clean up the necks so they will all be the same, this sets crimp tension uniformity. If you can avoid crimping at all, do so, crimping may be great for heavy recoiling rifles or military ammo subject to rough handling, but it can reduce accuracy. For the .223 Remington case length should be between 1.750" and 1.760", I trim to 1.750".

Next use one of these tools: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/789...-to-45-caliber not a cheap Lee chamfering tool. I still use mine that is probably 40 years old. Redding, Hornady and Lyman all make similar tools. Chamfer the inside enough to make a visible ramp, about 1/2 the neck thickness maximum. Too much chamfer will lead to split case mouths.

For really slick seating follow the Wilson tool with one of these: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/725...h-chamfer-tool This tool is made of tungsten carbide, it will last a lifetime. This results in a double chamfer that works well with some flat based bullets.This step isn't needed unless the bullets are being shaved in the seating process.

Then remove the burr on the outside of the neck. Now seat the bullet. They should seat with no undue effort.

After subsequent firings and trimming repeat the chamfering process.

If the problem reoccurs, try another sizing die.

[Divernhunter]

I am in the Modesto area if you need some help.I have used just about all the different hand tools. I recently got a Lyman Case Prep Center and it was money well spent.

[klewan]

Since it only happened with one out of ten rounds, it's probably something different about that piece of brass or the bullet or a combination of the two. Do you have a set of calipers? If so, pull the bullet out of the mistake and measure the ID of the brass and it OD of the bullet. Should be about .001" press fit; bullet is that much bigger than the brass mouth.

Try running some brass thru the die and measure the ID of them, measure a handful of bullets and see what they measure. I've seen bullet diameters that were too big and smashed the case or too small and just dropped into the case.

That HD tool is what I use to remove the primer crimp, use a slow turning drill and just touch it for a second or so. Lots cheaper and faster than a swage tool.

[iano1]

That happens to me on my turret press when I forget to rotate stations and seat a bullet with the powder dispenser

[Beelzy]

Just chamfer the case necks......Seriously.

[the86d]

Just chamfer the case necks......Seriously.

Hahaa!
I doubt THAT is the issue...

[TimRB]

Are you annealing the necks and shoulders? If you get carried away they can become too soft.

Tim

[USAbodypilot]

Hahaa!
I doubt THAT is the issue...

That WAS the issue!!!

I got a simple countersink tool from Lowes and gave all my case necks a little poke with it. Loaded about 300 rounds tonight with not a single issue.

Thanks for all the help everyone who posted :-)