Seating depth inconsistency- Redding comp

[ColeT96]

Here I am again. When seating I will get my first one fine tuned in. Then the next on is .003-.006 long. I adjust and some are right and some seat too deep. Once first brass set with bushing die. I loaded some a couple weeks ago and perfect. I was running a small cam over. I backed it out this time per set up manual.

Also, I have not cleaned or oiled this die. It does have the correct stem in

 

[ColeT96]

If I leave it at the same. Some depth are close. Some spot on. Is this actual bullet variations, do I have a dry die? I can feel more tension seating some bullets vs others. Those are never set deep enough

 

[Phil Rizzo]

Using a mandrel after the bushing die?
Is there any carbon inside the neck, or have they been scrubbed clean and need lube?

 

[Pdyson]

Here I am again. When seating I will get my first one fine tuned in. Then the next on is .003-.006 long. I adjust and some are right and some seat too deep. Once first brass set with bushing die. I loaded some a couple weeks ago and perfect. I was running a small cam over. I backed it out this time per set up manual.

Also, I have not cleaned or oiled this die. It does have the correct stem in

It's frustrating even with expensive micrometer seaters. you seat a bullet, it's long; so you adjust and seat it again. You repeat the process till it's perfect and lock it down. You insert a fresh case and bullet and dang it it's off too. So you start readjusting again. What I did was load a fresh case after each adjustment till you hit your mark and run a couple cases to be sure. Then go back to all your test cases and reseat them to the final depth. If they are off, it won't be by much. Mark all the ones that are more than 3 or 4 thou off with a sharpie and shoot them as foulers/ sighters. BTW a good micrometer seater with a seating stem matched to you bullet is well worth the investment. I've never done it but if the seater is too big you can use JB weld or AcraGlass bedding compound to perfectly match your seating stem to the bullet. Don't forget the release agent.

 

[ddman]

This is the main reason I went to using only Wilson seating does with an arbor press. I couldn't ever get 100 percent consistency using my press. Are you running a mandrel after your bushing die? Are the inside necks clean?

 

[ColeT96]

No
Mandrel but reckon I will order. I'm going to go back to a very light cam over. I just don't think the run out is consistent with no repeatable back wall for the stop

 

[ColeT96]

When I ran cam over I had .0005 consistency. But I ran a wire brush through the neck after a wet tumble. Will that eliminate the carbon causing more friction seating?

 

[lancetkenyon]

What bullet?
Not all bullets are created equal.
I get .005" or more variance on several bullets. But Sierra and Berger rarely vary.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

When I ran cam over I had .0005 consistency. But I ran a wire brush through the neck after a wet tumble. Will that eliminate the carbon causing more friction seating?

Yes it will..also, get a mandrel sized .0005 over your desired neck ID. There is normally that much spring back. I'd try 2.5-3 thousandths less than bullet diameter, for a start.
I assume you have a good chamfer/deburr in place.

 

[ColeT96]

Yes it will..also, get a mandrel sized .0005 over your desired neck ID. There is normally that much spring back. I'd try 2.5-3 thousandths less than bullet diameter, for a start.
I assume you have a good chamfer/deburr in place.

Yes on the hamfer and deburr. I'll order that tomorrow. I was getting great consistency last loading. Only thing that's changed is I eliminated cam over. Flushed the bottom of of the spring tube and body to shell plate. Backed out 1/8 or so turn. I know Redding says no cam over and to back off. But it doesn't work for me. If it ruins the die I'll just buy another one

 

[ColeT96]

What bullet?
Not all bullets are created equal.
I get .005" or more variance on several bullets. But Sierra and Berger rarely vary.

Berger hybrid and vld

 

[earrow]

This is the main reason I went to using only Wilson seating does with an arbor press. I couldn't ever get 100 percent consistency using my press. Are you running a mandrel after your bushing die? Are the inside necks clean?

wilson seating dies work well . I chased my tail for awhile with measuring tools that weren`t repeatable.

 

[MagnumManiac]

How are you measuring?
What tool are you using to measure?
Just like bullet ogive length, not all tools are accurate.

Cheers.

 

[Byrdman13]

Also when setting seating length do it with a couple of cartridges using a new one after each adjustment. If you are trying to do it with the same one and keep moving it a few thousandths the next one you seat won't be the same. The tension holds it once seated and it is hard to move again. It should be seated in one stroke of the press. It will seat more consistently IME