What seating die... pissed off with lee

[EddieP]

I am having problems with the lee seater, I'm using 155 scenars in 308 win. When I seat bullets with a moderate load it makes a ring round the top of the bullet. When I use a more stout load it removes the bullet from the case, to recover it I need to strip the die down to pull the bullet out. I know that this is due to the shape of the seater stem.

I have tried modifying the stem but just make a mess with the epoxy putty.

Will buying a hornady seater stop this? I'm trying to keep costs down as its all very expensive over in England.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: What seating die... pissed off with lee

I load 30-06 and .270 Win. using Lee dies and have never had this problem seating any of the myriad bullets I load in them. It sounds like a flaw in your seating die to me, rather than a design shortcoming.

Still a pain in the "arse".

Do you have this problem with other bullets seated with this die?

 

[EddieP]

Re: What seating die... pissed off with lee

I've only tries a few, but its only the scenars, which are what I'm trying to find a sweet load for.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: What seating die... pissed off with lee

Is this part of the standard three die set or a competition set?

I'd suggest contacting them. They are open for another 40 minutes I believe (Central Std. Time in Wisconsin).

http://www.leeprecision.com/

 

[EddieP]

Re: What seating die... pissed off with lee

G/F is nagging for me to come to bed... But will mail them tomorrow. Cheers

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: What seating die... pissed off with lee

If it's the center of the seating stem that is jamming the bullet, opening up the center of the plug with a drill bit may be beneficial. Beyond that, using lapping compound and a bullet tip will provide provide a better seat for the stem and may alleviate the problem.

 

[EddieP]

Re: What seating die... pissed off with lee

Living this side of the pond it is sometimes easier to replace things instead of getting them serviced.
Got the Hornady one, works a treat. Solved my problems. And sensibly priced.

 

[BHP9]

Re: What seating die... pissed off with lee

Eddie, me old China:

I my be dumb but are you talking about a compressed load that's pushing the bullet out? If so, you will need to crimp or a heavier crimp.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: What seating die... pissed off with lee

I have the Lee seating die and have used it with many different 168's, 175 SMK's, and 155 Scenars. I used to get the ring until I pulled the stem and polished it with some scotchbrite. No more ring. I have never had the pulling issue that you are talking about. My 155 load is 47gr of RE15. It's a slightly compressed load and I do not crimp. I run from .001-.002" of neck tension.

The die works fine for what it is, but after saving for a Giraud Trimmer I will be replacing the die with a Micrometer type competition seating die (probably Redding).

 

[KYpatriot]

Re: What seating die... pissed off with lee

Just put a post up with an identical problem except with a Forster mic seater, same problem with two different seaters. Real PITA.