NEED HELP - Bullet deformation from neck size

[Ackley Man]

I am experiencing a problem reloading a .7mm Rem Mag with Redding F/L and Neck Dies.

I reloaded some Berger 168 VLDs and after pulling one of the bullets with a kinetic puller noticed that the area of the bullet that was seated in the case neck area had been squeezed down to .279. The area at the beginning of the boat tail remained .284 and the area above the neck also remained .284. A sized case neck O.D. diameter measures .309 and the neck wall averages .014 The neck expander button measures .2825 I'm puzzled why the bullet diameter in the neck area is being squeezed down to .279. Clearly this is hurting accuracy even though the VLDs have a long ogive. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[SBruce]

I didn't know VLD's had a cannelure, none of my 6mm ones do? The numbers don't quite make sense, The inside diameter of the neck should be around .281-.282 before seating bullets. Don't understand how the bullets could be getting sized down to .279 by the brass.

Perhaps its a seating die issue? Are you crimping them? No need to crimp with .002+ neck tension in my opinion.

 

[Ackley Man]

I didn't know VLD's had a cannelure, none of my 6mm ones do? The numbers don't quite make sense, The inside diameter of the neck should be around .281-.282 before seating bullets. Don't understand how the bullets could be getting sized down to .279 by the brass.

Perhaps its a seating die issue? Are you crimping them? No need to crimp with .002+ neck tension in my opinion.

Actually its not a cannelure it is where the boat tail begins. Not using any crimp. The meaurements indicate that the area should be squeezed down to .279 - I don't get it!

 

[SBruce]

That is really weird. Especially if the bearing surface to boattail junction is staying .284..............that part of the bullet has gone through the neck already when the part in question is at it's final resting place.

You got any other bullets to try? That would maybe confirm if it's a seating die issue?
Perhaps you got a bad batch of VLD's?

Were these ever chambered in the rifle? You don't have a tight neck chamber do you?

 

[Mikecr]

Yeah the numbers aren't adding up right. Seems like a wrong-sized round forced into a tight neck chamber.
What do the fired(and unsized) neck ODs measure?

 

[Ackley Man]

It is not a tight neck, just a standard Remington 700 ADL. I have never seen this problem before. Since my op I took a VDL case mouth reamer to one case then seated a bullet and pulled it and I don't see any deformation. I guess I'll just have to measure neck ODs and walls of the entire batch of brass before reloading any more. I am still very curious what caused the problem.

 

[SBruce]

I am still very curious what caused the problem.

That makes two of us!

If the gun isn't tight neck, makes me think that maybe you got a bad batch of VLD's (perhaps a void between core and jacket on some of them)??

It's very suprising to me that brass and neck tension alone could actually squeeze or swedge down a bullet, unless the bullet is too soft or bad from the beginning. If the brass neck will swedge it, then the rifleing would probably destroy it.

 

[Gene]

I think Mike is saying the sizing die neck area may be undersize. Call Redding, they will tell you to send it in together with a case and bullet.

 

[Mikecr]

I guess I'll just have to measure neck ODs and walls of the entire batch of brass before reloading any more

You should do this.
It's part of basic reloading to observe the fit of your ammo before and after firing..

Measure before & after chambering and tell us what's happening

 

[nheninge]

kinetic puller is likely causing deformation.

 

[SBruce]

kinetic puller is likely causing deformation.

Can you explain to us "visual learners" how that could happen?

Their selling point (supposedly) over collet style pullers is that they DO NOT deform or damage bullets. I am failing to visualize how a kinetic puller would/could do this to a bullet?

 

[Ackley Man]

I think Mike is saying the sizing die neck area may be undersize. Call Redding, they will tell you to send it in together with a case and bullet.

My F/L die and neck sizing die both size them to .309 which is where it should be.

 

[Ackley Man]

kinetic puller is likely causing deformation.

A kinetic pulller can only casue damage to the tip of the bullet and that happens rairly. I believe you are thinking of a collet puller.

 

[nheninge]

I actually meant my reply as a question. Forgot the question mark. Sorrry! Can you actually see the bulge or measure it in a loaded round? Should look just like the spare tire I carry above my jeans!