Having troubles with seating depth...

[grundy53]

For some reason about every 3rd roun or so is off by .01-.03 either way. I'm new at this and could use some Ideas. A) Possible reasons on why it' doing this and B) How to correct it. Thank you for any help you could possibly give a newbie.

[GregMcFadden]

Please post a list of equipment you are using, as it will help us figure it out.  are you sure that the seater is locked down and not moving?  Die holder moving?,

[JackOfAllTrades]

What bullet and what cartridge also?

[carpsniperg2]

Some times the tips of your bullets will be a little diffrent then the others, and cause a little variation in oal. But they are still getting seated to the same deapth.

[grundy53]

All of the equipment is from the Lee anniverary kit. The Dies are also lee. so far all I have been loading is
.25-06, 85gr CT bullets, and Winchester cases.

[grundy53]

Please post a list of equipment you are using, as it will help us figure it out.  are you sure that the seater is locked down and not moving?  Die holder moving?,

Everything is tight.

[grundy53]

All of the equipment is from the Lee anniverary kit. The Dies are also lee. so far all I have been loading is
.25-06, 85gr CT bullets, and Winchester cases.

got this off of cabelas site...

Kit includes: Breech Lock Challenger Press, Perfect Powder Measure with stand, Safety Powder Scale, powder funnel, case cutter with lock stud to trim cases, an inside/outside case neck chamfer/deburring tool, primer pocket cleaner, large and small safety prime primer feeders and a tube of premium resizing lube. You also get one Breech Lock Quick-Change Bushing. These bushings make changing dies a snap.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Measure the lengths of the CT bullets. See if you have variations there. Also, check your seating die to be sure it is not pushing on the tip, but rather where ogive angle of the jacket starts. If you're pushing on the polymer tip, you could easily get a variance of + or - .01" dependig on the entry diameter of the case.

-Steve

[grundy53]

Measure the lengths of the CT bullets. See if you have variations there. Also, check your seating die to be sure it is not pushing on the tip, but rather where ogive angle of the jacket starts. If you're pushing on the polymer tip, you could easily get a variance of + or - .01" dependig on the entry diameter of the case.

-Steve

Thanks! I will check when I get home!

[GregMcFadden]

I would HIGHLY recommend you get a tool to measure to the ogive, such as the hornady tool.  that will take the guess work out of it. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=231904

also, check your calipers, if they are loose or you are using different amounts of force, you will read different.  the better the caliper the better they usually come out of the box.  the cheap harbor freight ones I have had have been terrible until properly adjusted, then they work fine until they wear out (I go through about one a year from wear)

[JackOfAllTrades]

Yes, add up the variable of bullet length with the tolerance of the measuring device, and numbers can be alarming.

-Steve

[grundy53]

I would HIGHLY recommend you get a tool to measure to the ogive, such as the hornady tool.  that will take the guess work out of it. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=231904

also, check your calipers, if they are loose or you are using different amounts of force, you will read different.  the better the caliper the better they usually come out of the box.  the cheap harbor freight ones I have had have been terrible until properly adjusted, then they work fine until they wear out (I go through about one a year from wear)

Thank you! I will definetly be getting that.

[GregMcFadden]

you also need to practice with the tools to be consistent.  by that I mean that if you don't get the same reading every time if you measure 1 round 10 times, your method is off (or just inconsistent) or your tool is in need of adjustment.  You will get it sorted out.

-Greg

[demontang]

I see that in polymer tipped bullets a lot. It just takes the tip getting a little deformed to do it.

[grundy53]

Ok. I'm a dumb@$$ so the ogive measuring tool that Greg recommended arrived today and before giving it a try I re measured my finished rounds and apparently some where between measuring them and asking for help here  I lost a 0.  They are actually off by .001-.003 so I guess I should re ask my question with the correct numbers added.

[cwuwildcat]

Consistency can explain a little as well.  Make sure your pull is the same every time.  If you're distracted, got the radio on, wife walks in, etc... your pull may vary enough.

[GregMcFadden]

1-3 mils is down in the range that can easily be caused by sloppy calipers or inconsistent form when using them as well...

[grundy53]

1-3 mils is down in the range that can easily be caused by sloppy calipers or inconsistent form when using them as well...

How much will this affect accuracy?