Just started to load up some 338lm ammo for my new rifle.I bought the redding type s 3 die set and new lapua brass seating the smk 250's. I started off putting the .365 titanium bushing in my neck die set it all up and ran 50 cases through it with lube. Next I chamfered and debured,cleaned flash holes,primed and dumped powder.I went to seat the bullet and noticed that the neck is bulging in a weird way.It is like the bullet is shoving the top of the neck down sinking in the center then bulging at the bottom of the neck.I measured the outside of the neck with the bullet seated and get.370,measured a factory lapua load and it measures .367 . What am I doing wrong? Any ideas?
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338lm bullet seating question
- Thread starter outlaws51
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Re: 338lm bullet seating question
I don't really have an answer for you, but I usually only use .002 neck tension, some people use even less, but even .005 should not cause your problem. If the bullet is difficult to chamber, I wouldn't shoot it. It will be interesting to hear what others will have to say, as I'm sure someone will shed some light on the problem.
myerfire
I don't really have an answer for you, but I usually only use .002 neck tension, some people use even less, but even .005 should not cause your problem. If the bullet is difficult to chamber, I wouldn't shoot it. It will be interesting to hear what others will have to say, as I'm sure someone will shed some light on the problem.
myerfire
Re: 338lm bullet seating question
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: demolition51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just started to load up some 338lm ammo for my new rifle.I bought the redding type s 3 die set and new lapua brass seating the smk 250's. I started off putting the .365 titanium bushing in my neck die set it all up and ran 50 cases through it with lube. Next I chamfered and debured,cleaned flash holes,primed and dumped powder.I went to seat the bullet and noticed that the neck is bulging in a weird way.It is like the bullet is shoving the top of the neck down sinking in the center then bulging at the bottom of the neck.I measured the outside of the neck with the bullet seated and get.370,measured a factory lapua load and it measures .367 . What am I doing wrong? Any ideas? </div></div>
Could the seating die body be cinched down too far, making the seating plug contact the mouth and forcing the entire neck downwards?
You sure it's a .365" bushing? That's what I use on my Lapua and Norma brass with nary an issue.
Mic the bullets, mic the bushing just to be sure things are in spec.
With the TiNi bushings, you don't need to lube the necks, but I don't think that would do it.
Did you use the expander ball when you neck sized initially? Mic the expander ball.
In the future, you might want to remove the expander ball and use the undersized retaining pin. If you're not dropping your cases on the ground, their mouths should be concentric and the expander ball isn't needed. This eliminates the need to lube the inside of the case necks and then having to remove that lube.
If you have a picture, it might help.
Chris
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: demolition51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just started to load up some 338lm ammo for my new rifle.I bought the redding type s 3 die set and new lapua brass seating the smk 250's. I started off putting the .365 titanium bushing in my neck die set it all up and ran 50 cases through it with lube. Next I chamfered and debured,cleaned flash holes,primed and dumped powder.I went to seat the bullet and noticed that the neck is bulging in a weird way.It is like the bullet is shoving the top of the neck down sinking in the center then bulging at the bottom of the neck.I measured the outside of the neck with the bullet seated and get.370,measured a factory lapua load and it measures .367 . What am I doing wrong? Any ideas? </div></div>
Could the seating die body be cinched down too far, making the seating plug contact the mouth and forcing the entire neck downwards?
You sure it's a .365" bushing? That's what I use on my Lapua and Norma brass with nary an issue.
Mic the bullets, mic the bushing just to be sure things are in spec.
With the TiNi bushings, you don't need to lube the necks, but I don't think that would do it.
Did you use the expander ball when you neck sized initially? Mic the expander ball.
In the future, you might want to remove the expander ball and use the undersized retaining pin. If you're not dropping your cases on the ground, their mouths should be concentric and the expander ball isn't needed. This eliminates the need to lube the inside of the case necks and then having to remove that lube.
If you have a picture, it might help.
Chris
Re: 338lm bullet seating question
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Could the seating die body be cinched down too far, making the seating plug contact the mouth and forcing the entire neck downwards? </div></div>
I agree with Chris, look at the seating die first. Try running the seat operation without a bullet (on an unloaded case).
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Could the seating die body be cinched down too far, making the seating plug contact the mouth and forcing the entire neck downwards? </div></div>
I agree with Chris, look at the seating die first. Try running the seat operation without a bullet (on an unloaded case).
Re: 338lm bullet seating question
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: demolition51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I has the die body adjusted down to far causing it crimp. Backed it off a bit and it works perfect. A wise ol reloader came by and showed me my f-up. Thanks to everyone that responded. </div></div>
If it's the Redding body die, there is not 'crimp step' built in, but depending on your seating die, there probably is.
I'm glad you got it fixed, at about $2.25 a pop, you don't want to be mucking things up on your new Lapua brass.
Chris
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: demolition51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I has the die body adjusted down to far causing it crimp. Backed it off a bit and it works perfect. A wise ol reloader came by and showed me my f-up. Thanks to everyone that responded. </div></div>
If it's the Redding body die, there is not 'crimp step' built in, but depending on your seating die, there probably is.
I'm glad you got it fixed, at about $2.25 a pop, you don't want to be mucking things up on your new Lapua brass.
Chris
