Post by: addicted on December 29, 2011, 07:43:39 PM
The bullets wont crimp in place even if i turn the die down far enough to start crushing the neck.
The neck starts to crush as pictured below and the bullet can still be slid in and out.
So turn the die out, nothing happens. Turn the die in, the neck/shoulder start to deform, and the bullet still loose.
Post by: huntinguy on December 29, 2011, 08:01:43 PM
what is the size of the expander? what is the size of the bullet?
Need some details here.
The crimp part is in the die not the seater plug. (but, you knew that.)
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 29, 2011, 08:06:24 PM
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 29, 2011, 08:06:40 PM
You resized the brass first? You shouldn't need to crimp rifle cartridges. Bullet should be fairly tight when seating it. How many times has the brass been loaded?
:yeah:
Rather confusing? If the brass was properly full length resized, your neck tension will hold the bullet properly. There is absolutely no need for a crimp esspecialy on that size of a cartridge and no canular to boot? Make sure your brass is properly sized, put a empty case in your shell holder run it to the top o the stroke, then screw your seating die down untill it makes contact with the case shoulder. Back it off a bit and proceed with setting your overall s length and bullet seating depth from there. Ditch the whole crimp idea!
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 29, 2011, 08:07:13 PM
Post by: bullcanyon on December 29, 2011, 08:07:59 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 29, 2011, 08:09:32 PM
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 29, 2011, 08:12:04 PM
L IKE YOUR CHOICE ON POWDER :tup:
If those are .308 Winchesters, he should be stuffing them with Varget! ;)
Post by: addicted on December 29, 2011, 08:28:59 PM
expander is .321 and bullets are .338.
I resized and trimmed(skimmed) to length. This is brass first time reloaded, factory shot ammo.
I just used the seater to push the bullet down to good COL and it stopped crushing but i can still move the bullet with my fingers.
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 29, 2011, 08:32:45 PM
I wasnt planning on using that powder, just need a backdrop to the kitched.
expander is .321 and bullets are .338.
I resized and trimmed(skimmed) to length. This is brass first time reloaded, factory shot ammo.
I just used the seater to push the bullet down to good COL and it stopped crushing but i can still move the bullet with my fingers.
Process of elimination leaves only the full length sizer die suspect? Somthing is strangely afoot with the die.
Post by: addicted on December 29, 2011, 08:36:13 PM
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 29, 2011, 08:40:13 PM
so they didnt get resized squarely?
Are you completely full length sizing, cramming over? Or are you just sizing the neck?
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on December 29, 2011, 08:49:32 PM
Also you dont wanna crimp bullets like that unless there is a crimping groove, it will damage the bullet.
Lookin at the picture more something is wrong with the size of the neck. It appears the bullet is to large? Are you running the empty shell into the seating die before you try and seat the bullet?
Post by: huntinguy on December 29, 2011, 09:06:34 PM
expander is .321 and bullets are .338.
.017 difference? That could be the problem. You should only have .002 at the most .004. I think the bullets could be doing the crushing and that would also explain the slip fit after.
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 29, 2011, 09:17:21 PM
expander is .321 and bullets are .338.
.017 difference? That could be the problem. You should only have .002 at the most .004. I think the bullets could be doing the crushing and that would also explain the slip fit after.
I think your on to something.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 29, 2011, 09:23:04 PM
Post by: Helix on December 29, 2011, 09:38:01 PM
Post by: Gutpile on December 29, 2011, 09:45:12 PM
Non canneluerd boolitz can't take much of a crimp before they do this. had this prob when I started loading 300 win mag. Back your crimp off till its just barely touching. Other than that i'd say you might have the wrong expander in your sizer.:yeah:
Post by: addicted on December 29, 2011, 10:01:18 PM
I think i figured it out. I read the directions wrong since as you can see i was also trying to crimp.
I just seated one with no problems and it feels like it is sticking good.
I'm using my father in laws equipment and it is definately a learning experience. Now I know i definately want a turret press and a digital scale.
So i botched the crushing by trying to crimp something thats not supposed be crimped and i set up the resizer wrong hence the bullet not holding in place. I think i've got it squared away now so I resized them all again and i'll start again in the morning.
Post by: FALFire on December 29, 2011, 10:12:40 PM
Be sure to back your seating die body off at least one full turn from the point when it touches the case mouth. This will prevent any cases that are not trimmed exactly the same as the others from bumping into the crimping portion and creating a bulged shoulder.
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on December 29, 2011, 10:17:11 PM
-Steve
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 29, 2011, 10:24:28 PM
Every bit of advice for how to set the die here is spot on... But if this was a 30-30 or 35rem meant for a lever gun, what would any of you have sugested?
-Steve
Almost all the bullets that are used for lever guns have a canular and you crimp. You can look at the bullets originally pictured and can tell its not for a lever gun and if it was, it would possibly be one heck of a learning expirience.
Post by: addicted on December 29, 2011, 10:58:51 PM
338federal btw.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 29, 2011, 11:28:50 PM
Every bit of advice for how to set the die here is spot on... But if this was a 30-30 or 35rem meant for a lever gun, what would any of you have sugested?If it's a tubular magazine I'd say crimp. So either find a bullet that is cannelured or find a way to radially crimp. If it is a lever like a savage 99 or a blr, then load how you would anything other. For the solid lead straight walled cartridges, you can crimp, but not really needed seeing as when you bell the case mouth the seating die closes it up and the lead makes it pretty tight.
-Steve
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 29, 2011, 11:46:53 PM
do you guys think that IMR 4831 would do good? haven't seen it on any load data for this cartridge yet?
338federal btw.
I haven't seen it listed.
http://reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=552
Post by: fremont on December 31, 2011, 11:36:08 PM
Post by: addicted on January 01, 2012, 07:17:30 AM
Post by: mazama on January 02, 2012, 11:17:19 AM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on January 02, 2012, 11:40:04 AM
Big Hammer I believe your on to something too !!! :chuckle: i wish we could see a little more of that on your profile picture :chuckle: :tup:
expander is .321 and bullets are .338.
.017 difference? That could be the problem. You should only have .002 at the most .004. I think the bullets could be doing the crushing and that would also explain the slip fit after.
I think your on to something.