Tricks for keeping a .223 projectile straight

[rweldon]

I just started reloading .223 am I'm having a hard time keeping the projectile straight before seating it. When I can keep it straight, it seats fine, but if it gets a little crooked before seating, it keeps screwing up the casing neck and then I have to resize it. What can I do to assure it stays straight? Any tips appreciated.

 

[308isgreat]

Re: Tricks for keeping a .223 projectile straight

Are the bullets flat base or boat-tail? BT's should sit in the case without a problem. If you're using flat base bullets I usually hold the bullet over the case neck as I run it all into the seater die. Once the bullet is up past where you can hold it, the die will then keep the bullet straight. Hope this helps.

 

[Country]

Re: Tricks for keeping a .223 projectile straight

The secret is to just seat it a bit to start then back off the die and rotate the case 90 degrees and seat it a bit more and repeat.
Then seat it all the way. This will straighten up the seating operation.
Make sure your case neck is chamfered enough and that the chamfer is even around the inside of the neck.
Also try annealing your cases necks before the next sizing as they may be harder on one side of the neck than the other.
This should fix the problem.

 

[Jumper]

Re: Tricks for keeping a .223 projectile straight

Try a Forster Benchrest seater die. Works great for me.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Tricks for keeping a .223 projectile straight

Set the bullet square on the case mouth, then keep your fingers in place on the bullet and the neck. As you raise the ram, keep your fingers there until the bullet is up in the die then pull them away.

In other words, when you pick up the bullet in your fingers and place the bullet in the case mouth, leave them there on the neck and bullet. Place the pair in the shell holder, then still leave them in place as you guide the pair up into the die when raising the ram.

I have the loading tray with the charged (with powder) cases next to the press then the bullet box left of that. I pick up the bullet, set it in the case mouth, then move the pair to the shell holder with my fingers covering the sides of the bullet and the case neck.

Having a good chamfer on the case mouth helps a lot too.

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: Tricks for keeping a .223 projectile straight

Also make sure your seater plug fits the bullet shape. Usually
there are different shapes available from the die makers.

 

[dj70]

Re: Tricks for keeping a .223 projectile straight

No Problems with BT's here, 55 or 62 gr

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: Tricks for keeping a .223 projectile straight

What seater die are you using? Some are better than others. The small diameter bullet is a complication.