Help seating lead cast bullets

[elkhuntingfool]

Okay - so I'm new to seating lead cast bullets and I'm now stumped. I wish my USB ports were working so I could take a picture and show you the humor in my seating.

Anyhow - they vary in length and I will be damned if I know why. Is there a secret? I'm using 45acp 230gr lubed bullets. I seated 15 an not a single one is the same OAL.

So...I come to you all seeking guidance before I :banghead: any longer and leave a bruise.

My setup is a Lee press with Lee Carbide pistol die. I have no issues whatsoever with the Hornady FMJ - they size just nicely.

/ramble

Thanks for your help.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

How experienced are you? Did you set the seating die so it stops, there is usually no crimping in .45 acp.

 

[ReloaderFred]

You're probably experiencing a situation where the bullet doesn't perfectly fit the seating stem and the nose of the bullet isn't reaching the bottom of the stem. The bullet is actually being pushed by the rim of the stem opening, and is contacting the bullet down along the side. This will cause variances in seating depth.

There are numerous cures for this, from getting a proper seating stem, to modifying the one you have. It depends on how much you want to do to cure the problem.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[elkhuntingfool]

Did you set the seating die so it stops, there is usually no crimping in .45 acp.

Yes - because my FMJ bullets do not have the issue that I'm having with the cast bullets.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Instead of trying to get a uniform OAL, try seating so the shoulder of the rim is just barely sticking out of the cartridge case. Generally speaking, this will give the best accuracy for me using lead SWC's.

Also, are you using a flat tip seating rod/stem in your Lee die? If not, get one from Lee.

Regards,

Dave

 

[rcmodel]

Also, make sure you are flaring the case mouth enough.

Lead bullets require more "funnel" in the case mouth, or you will get shaved lead, hard seating, length variation, & other problems you wouldn't run into with jacketed bullets.

You should be able to easily start the bullets into the case with thumb pressure until they are aligned and starting to go in smoothly.

Also, make sure your seating die isn't getting packed full of bullet lube.

rcmodel

 

[TexasSkyhawk]

Also, make sure your seating die isn't getting packed full of bullet lube.

That was the first thing I thought of, too. But if he's never loaded cast bullets before. . .

I think the best answer is first checking the belling/flaring, and then as Dave said, seating to the shoulder. I concern myself far more with the part of the bullet that is inside the case than the part that is outside.

Jeff

 

[elkhuntingfool]

Okay - checked the seating die - no lube. Also - they are carbide so there is no excess lube from anything.

I think I have it figured out. I played around yesteday with OAL and think I have it figured out. The recommended OAL is 1.2 and I'm pretty much there - maybe a few at 1.204 but I think that should be fine. I'll load up some rounds and fire away and see how it goes.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Sunray]

"...usually no crimping in .45 acp..." Since when? The .45 feeds better with a light taper crimp. Only a taper crimp though.
"...should be fine..." Likely. Just make sure the dies and seating rod are tight.

 

[Jim Watson]

The recommended OAL is 1.2

By whom?
That seems short.
The usual bulk cast 230 gr .45 roundnose loads a bit shorter than jacketed but mine come out at the Internet Expert Standard All Purpose Number of 1.25"

You might be getting variable OAL because you are ramming the bullet deeper in the brass than necessary and squashing it with the unmatched seating plug mentioned above.

Most cast bullets have a slight shoulder between the straight sided bearing surface and the nose, whether SWC or RN. That shoulder should be at or slightly above the case mouth. Chamber check in the barrel clean and out of the gun to be sure they chamber freely and with the case head at least flush with the barrel hood.

 

[zxcvbob]

The way I set my seating / taper-crimp die (I'm sure there are other ways to do it.) I seat and crimp with one step.

1. Take a sized case *without* flaring the case mouth, and without a bullet. Screw the seating die down on it so it snugly engages the case mouth. Set the lock ring.
   
2. Screw the seating stem way in. Take a sized and flared case this time, with a bullet. Press the bullet into the case until it's the OAL you want.
3. Screw the seating stem way out and crimp the bullet in place. Double-check the length, etc. because this is what all your cartridges are gonna look like.
   
4. Now lower the seating stem until it firmly hits the bullet. Lock it in place.

The whole thing takes just a minute or two, and will give you a light taper crimp.

It's the same procedure with a roll-crimp die, but you'll have to tighten it down jut a little more.

 

[elkhuntingfool]

By whom?
That seems short.

My Lee reloading manual recommends a 1.2 OAL for 230gr LRN.

 

[evan price]

I run my lead 230-grain .45 acp at 1.295" and crimp to 0.471". The cast bullet profile I am using is a bit different than a standard roundball .45 though, it's longer, like a 9mm.

 

[ants]

Elkhuntingfool: That is a Minimum length published in the data tables, not a recommended length. You can always load them longer, as long as the cartridge still fits in the magazine, feeds in the gun, and doesn't expose the lube grooves in the bullet. Try 1.250" like Jim Watson's Internet Expert advised.

Evan Price: You said 1.295" but I think that was a typo. Take a look and edit as necessary.

Two or three guys posting above: He said 230 grain bullet, I doubt it is a semiwadcutter.

 

[lordgroom]

elkhuntingfool:
You said you figured it out. What was causing the problem? I would have suggested Bullet lube in the die. Had that happen to me. Since you ruled that out, I am curious as to what the problem was.

 

[brickeyee]

I never seat and crimp at the same time, especially with lead bullets.

 

[evan price]

Ants: 1.295". Not a typo. The lead bullet I use has a design very similar to a 9mm 125-gr round nose. Longer and slimmer in profile. It does not jam in the rifling in my barrel. It feeds fine in my Sig but it is about as long as I can go without worrying about it rubbing inside the mag and jamming.