Hoping for some help on seating stems for Hornady custom dies and Berger VLD bullets. The Berger site indicates that the Hornady stems for ELDX and ELDM's are suitable for secant ogives. The DX and DM stems are listed with different part numbers. Help with recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks
Berger VLD Seating Stems
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xsn10s
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Since Hornady specidically made them for the ELDX/ ELDM and Berger recommends them for secant ogives I'd be comfortable using them for VLD's. But you'd be best served by calling both manufacturers. At the worst you might need to lap the Hornady stem to better match the VLD.
QuietTexan
Well-Known Member
Before you buy anything, check the stem that comes with the set. Turn the stem hole up, set a bullet into it.
If your stem doesn't work with the VLDs (it probably won't to be honest) and you need to buy a new one - IMO skip the M or X and get the A-Tip stem for that caliber. It's deeper and should fit better even without lapping.
I have a bunch of stems, .308 cal and maybe 6mm, plus some VLDs and A-Tips, if you want to see differences let me know and I'll try to take some pics tonight.
Pic source:
bergerbullets.com
- If it squares up, doesn't wobble, stands up straight, use it.
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- If it hits the bullet point, drill it deeper or buy a deeper stem.
- If it doesn't hit the point but wobbles, buy a different stem, bed the stem, or lap the stem.
If your stem doesn't work with the VLDs (it probably won't to be honest) and you need to buy a new one - IMO skip the M or X and get the A-Tip stem for that caliber. It's deeper and should fit better even without lapping.
Hornady Accurate Deadly Dependable. Seating Stem 6.5mm A-Tip™135/153 Gr
These seating stems are designed to fit Hornady® Custom Grade⢠Dies and are machined to fit the profile of the A-MAX®, A-Tip®, ELD® Match, ELD-X®, FTX® and MonoFlex® bullets to seat them as precisely as possible without damaging bullets. (Not compatible with other manufacturersâ dies.)
www.hornady.com
I have a bunch of stems, .308 cal and maybe 6mm, plus some VLDs and A-Tips, if you want to see differences let me know and I'll try to take some pics tonight.
Pic source:
Do I need VLD Seating Stems?
When loading a Very Low Drag (VLD) bullet or a hybrid bullet, we recommend that you use a VLD seating stem to ensure load consistency.
bergerbullets.com
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Trm82
Well-Known Member
I drill mine out with a 1/8 drill bit so the tip no longer touches first. It's mild steel so it drills out easily.
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Thanks for input. Will keep trying to make contact with Hornady. Searched my question here before posting was hoping someone had results before possibly buying new dies. My Hornady stems fits much more deeply on a vld compared to my rcbs stem that engages much further out on bullet tip which can't be good.
QuietTexan
Well-Known Member
I think slightly furter down on the bullet would be better, I think that's what you're saying also.
Three different stems, from left to right - 6.5mm 140 ELD, 6.5mm - 147 ELD, 6.5mm - 153 A-Tip, you can see the thickness difference in the edge:
Two did fine, one did not, the 140 stem the bullet wouldn't sit square into the stem.
153.5 Hybrid:
156 EOL:
Three different stems, from left to right - 6.5mm 140 ELD, 6.5mm - 147 ELD, 6.5mm - 153 A-Tip, you can see the thickness difference in the edge:
Two did fine, one did not, the 140 stem the bullet wouldn't sit square into the stem.
153.5 Hybrid:
156 EOL:
Redding has a stem specifically for VLDs....Before you buy anything, check the stem that comes with the set. Turn the stem hole up, set a bullet into it.
- If it squares up, doesn't wobble, stands up straight, use it.
- If it hits the bullet point, drill it deeper or buy a deeper stem.
- If it doesn't hit the point but wobbles, buy a different stem, bed the stem, or lap the stem.
If your stem doesn't work with the VLDs (it probably won't to be honest) and you need to buy a new one - IMO skip the M or X and get the A-Tip stem for that caliber. It's deeper and should fit better even without lapping.
Hornady Accurate Deadly Dependable. Seating Stem 6.5mm A-Tip™135/153 Gr
These seating stems are designed to fit Hornady® Custom Grade⢠Dies and are machined to fit the profile of the A-MAX®, A-Tip®, ELD® Match, ELD-X®, FTX® and MonoFlex® bullets to seat them as precisely as possible without damaging bullets. (Not compatible with other manufacturersâ dies.)www.hornady.com
I have a bunch of stems, .308 cal and maybe 6mm, plus some VLDs and A-Tips, if you want to see differences let me know and I'll try to take some pics tonight.
Pic source:
Do I need VLD Seating Stems?
When loading a Very Low Drag (VLD) bullet or a hybrid bullet, we recommend that you use a VLD seating stem to ensure load consistency.
QuietTexan
Well-Known Member
But he's using Hornady dies....
I had that problem.I remedied it with a custom seating/mi ro-adjust die and K&M Precision Press with Dial Indicator.
I am using Hornady Match dies with the A-Tip stems with Bergers and it works fine.
