I've been reloading 6.5mm 143g ELD-X bullets and I've found it very difficult to maintain a consistent length to ogive. I use a comparator attached to my calipers which enables me to measure from case head to bullet ogive - which is typically a more accurate way of measuring. As a little background, I'm using a Redding competition micro-adjustable seating die and I'm constantly adjusting the die in order to achieve the 2.869' measurement I've established for this rifle. Has anyone else found a lot of variation with the ELD-Xs?
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Hornady ELD-X
- Thread starter RedRyder
- Start date
I have the same Redding Dies and have the same problem. I adjust the Die setting depth every time. so I end up running each round through the die twice. I usually back it off so I don't seat it all the way and measure then make the fine adjustments based off of the first measurement. it is a pain in the ass but it sure does produce consistent results and at the end of the day I know that is not factor in my shooting. (I am that factor 99.9% of the time). I am fairly new to reloading (4 years) and that is how I have always done it. By the way I have had the same problem with Sierra 175's Berger 105's Hybrid and Berger 140's VLD Hybrid and VLD's.
Mxpilot
Mxpilot
You're gonna need a VLD stem from Redding OR you can polish up your current one.
thats what I did; took some polishing compound, chuck it to a drill, then cleaned up with 0000 steel wool.
No rings, no sticks and consistent seating now
thats what I did; took some polishing compound, chuck it to a drill, then cleaned up with 0000 steel wool.
No rings, no sticks and consistent seating now
No, I don't anneal for that caliber.
As far as Rob01's question - if I understand it correctly, it can vary dramatically. I can be sailing along smoothly at 2.689 and then it will start to vary by -.010 more or less. Typically, I've then got to use a bullet extractor (I use the hammer like extractor) to pound the bullets out of the case so I can re-seat them.
As far as Rob01's question - if I understand it correctly, it can vary dramatically. I can be sailing along smoothly at 2.689 and then it will start to vary by -.010 more or less. Typically, I've then got to use a bullet extractor (I use the hammer like extractor) to pound the bullets out of the case so I can re-seat them.
I'll second the VLD seating stem. That thing is the tits! I seat 130 HVLDs to the .001 every single time, from start to finish. Last batch I did was 100 rounds. I checked the base to ogive on number 1 and 2 then went to town. I only checked number 100 at the end and it was the exact same. Just to make sure I went and spot checked about ten more and every one was where it needed to be.
FWIW I use it in Redding dies as well
Sierracharlie338....
FWIW I use it in Redding dies as well
Sierracharlie338....
There is definitely something wrong if you are seating fine and then are off .010". You can have some bullet ogives vary +/- .002 but being off .010 consistently after the seating depth is set isn't right.
I looked on Brownell's website and they offer two 6.5mm stems. A standard size and a larger than standard size which is 3/16' longer. The Brownells guy told me that the standard size is designed for longer magnum cases like 300s or 264s. So I ordered a standard size. Will report results when possible.
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