Getting pretty frustrated with inconsistent bullet seating depth.

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At least some vendors tell you WHY they are seconds.

 

[gwpercle]

You need to custom fit your seating stem to the exact bullet you are using and use that stem with that bullet every time .
Do this by cleaning the nose stem cavity and inserting a small ball of epoxy putty (use putty so it will not drip or run) use slow cure epoxy putty too ... reassemble die , grease a bullet nose (release agent) and get die installed in press , bullet in a dummy case , line up everything straight and seat the bullet about halfway into the case ... the putty will conform to the bullet profile exactly ... make sure everything is straight and in line .
Let the putty harden / cure and then remove from press . look at new stem and see if any excess putty needs to be trimmed off . You done ... mark what bullet this stem is fitted for . Then use it .
I have bought many extra stems and fitted them for specific bullets . It really Helps with seating .
This may not help much with factory second bullets but it does help with grade A factory #1 bullets .
Gary

 

[CQB45ACP]

You need to custom fit your seating stem to the exact bullet you are using and use that stem with that bullet every time .
Do this by cleaning the nose stem cavity and inserting a small ball of epoxy putty (use putty so it will not drip or run) use slow cure epoxy putty too ... reassemble die , grease a bullet nose (release agent) and get die installed in press , bullet in a dummy case , line up everything straight and seat the bullet about halfway into the case ... the putty will conform to the bullet profile exactly ... make sure everything is straight and in line .
Let the putty harden / cure and then remove from press . look at new stem and see if any excess putty needs to be trimmed off . You done ... mark what bullet this stem is fitted for . Then use it .
I have bought many extra stems and fitted them for specific bullets . It really Helps with seating .
This may not help much with factory second bullets but it does help with grade A factory #1 bullets .
Gary

Like my stems pictured in post#27 above

 

[Poper]

I use this from Hornady.

View attachment 1165960

Mine is a Stony Point unit, made before Hornady bought them.
However, I also have the RCBS Precision Mic for each of my rifle calibers. When loading a large number of rounds for a Silhouette match, the precision mic is a bit faster and I think a maybe smidgen more accurate.
https://www.rcbs.com/case-processing/measuring/precision-mic/564.html
Either the comparator or precision mic will be more than adequate for the average handloader. If cost is a factor, the comparator is the way to go.
JMHO and worth everything you paid for it, guaranteed!

 

[AJC1]

There are two major factors in seating consistency. 1. The die and how the seating stem fits your selected projectile, and 2. The press including flex of plates, the press itself, or how well the shellholder does its job. In the most simple solution, the Wilson chamber die, the press is eliminated entirely.

 

[entropy]

Instead of 95 theses, and I'm not travelling to Worms to nail them on the cathedral door, I'll just post what I do to (attempt to) regulate COAL:

I use a marker to draw a line on the TDC of the ram block. It's not totally foolproof, but considering the fool working the lever, it's fairly consistent.

 

[gwpercle]

If the seating stem does not fit the projectile , custom fit the seating stem with a small ball of epoxy putty and one of the projectiles (see post #52) . This custom fiited stem will eliminate a lot of problems .
True you need a stem for each type bullet you load but seating stems are cheap and custom fitted seating stems are worth every cent you paid for them !
Gary