cant seem to load straght ammo

[DSMITH1651]

I am new to reloading and just cant seem to get consistent straight ammo. most bullets are out 3-4 thousands some are as bad as 7 thousands and it seems I get lucky and get some under 2 thousands. brass is neck trimmed. with a 70% clean up. I have tried seating the round partway and then rotating it and seating it the rest of the way.
this is a 7mm lrm
hornady fl neck bushing die
hornady seating die
hornady lock and load press
180 gn hybrids
measured with a sinclare concentricity gage on the ogive of the bullet

I don't know if this is a die problem or if by neck trimming I got too much slop in the die neck area to guide the brass and bullet properly.

I am getting 1.25" groups at 250 yds though. so that's not too bad I just want to get this right.
thanks for the help,
Duane

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Have you measured the runout of the cartridge neck after you've sized it? I would look there. What about the bushing in your sizing die? Does it float or is it tight in the die?



t

 

[DSMITH1651]

The runout on the case necks is .001 on some and a few are in that .004 range but I am having the problem on the cases that are Straght as well as the ones that are out of wack.
The bushing is floating.
I have removed the decaping pin entirely because I am just using decaping die to remove spent primer and am not using the expander ball.
Was that a mistake
Duane

 

[dgarrett]

If you are reloading new brass I think this is common run-out... Once fired brass seems to be alot better on run-out. Hornady makes a runout tool that had a thumb screw for straighting bullet run-out... Get Defensive Edges reloading video... Dave

 

[Outlaw6.0]

The runout on the case necks is .001 on some and a few are in that .004 range but I am having the problem on the cases that are Straght as well as the ones that are out of wack.
The bushing is floating.
I have removed the decaping pin entirely because I am just using decaping die to remove spent primer and am not using the expander ball.
Was that a mistake
Duane

My personal opinion is that expander balls induce runnout in the case neck. Some will tell you different. In regards to the statement above, I should have asked that quesiton. Is this new brass or fired?

If you can hole ~.002 runnout in the case neck, you might have an issue with your seating die (I said might). Is the seating stem set-up for the bullet you're seating? I've had some nasty issues with a standard seating die & VLD bullets.


t

 

[DSMITH1651]

I am using the vld seating stem, I have d.e. reloading dvd and I have bought the hornady gage that can straighten them (works ok) but I would rather build them straight LOL. Brass has been fired 3 times.
Duane

 

[dgarrett]

I am guessing its your brass... The 7mm lrm brass has way to thick of neck and everyone is turning them inside and out to get them to shot without pressure. Search for the Posts on the 7mm LRM in the last few months.. It seems the last order of Hornady Brass was way out of spec. Also The Neck bushings do not neck size all the way to the neck shoulder junction with the Hornady Dies they sell. I think I read they are turning them down to 15 thousands but dont quote me...Dave

 

[dkhunt14]

If you don't completely clean up the brass when you turn the bullet is not on center. The farther out you measure on the bullet the farther it will show being off. Most benchresters don't measure and if they do it is right at the case mouth. Did you measure the brass out of the gun and see what runout is on a fired case? Matt

 

[ultraedge]

Turn the brass to 100% cleanup, load and fire in you rifle. At that point the brass will be as good as it will ever be fired in that chamber. Measure the runout and if is not good, then it is probably a sloppy chamber. If it measures good, then all you have to do is to not mess it up during the reloading process. I use dies with expander balls and load ammo with little or no runout, On many reloading presses it helps for the dies to float slightly. Gary

 

[Wile E Coyote]

If none of the previous suggestions result in a measurable improvement, take your dies apart to clean, lube, reassemble.

Had similar issues with a die set that hadn't been disassembled since it was set-up when new. Problem went away immediately.

 

[Mikecr]

+1 ultraedge
Also, heavy FL sizing is horrible for runout, and it helps to run an expander mandrel through necks after neck sizing (to drive thickness variance outward -away from seating bullet bearing).
You're right to seek straight ammo over neck bending.

 

[RMulhern]

Slip an 'O' ring under your sizing die and DO NOT hog it down to tightly! I FL resize EVERYTHING I reload and it works! There's also some crappy brass out there so watch what you buy!!

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2010/06/basics-resizing-case-dimension-changes.html

 

[DSMITH1651]

OK. I turned my new brass necks for 100% clean and I now have a neck thickness of .0145

I have 30 rounds loaded that I will shoot then I will turn them as well. I will also load some of the new brass and shoot it to see how concentric the chamber is.
Thanks for the help.
Duane

 

[DSMITH1651]

Slip an 'O' ring under your sizing die and DO NOT hog it down to tightly! I FL resize EVERYTHING I reload and it works! There's also some crappy brass out there so watch what you buy!!

The Rifleman's Journal: Basics: Resizing - Case Dimension Changes

Thanks for the tip, the hornady die quick change adapters have an o ring and it dose float slightly.