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Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 9:30 pm
by gomeybear
Hello all,

Ive been reloading 125 sst in my 300 blackout today and I noticed that there is a ring forming around my bullet when using my bullet seating die. Loading to an OAL of 2.1 as manual suggests. Press is a Hornady Iron Press, dies are Hornady too. I uploaded a picture to show y’all the ring Im referring to. Any help in troubleshooting this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Image

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 9:39 pm
by 20X11
You need a different seating plug. I had a new Redding set that did that on my 458...1 e-mail and a new seating plug arrived 3 days later.

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 9:57 pm
by gomeybear
After looking it up further, it sounds like a common problem. Some have recommended using a lapping compound on a bullet seated in a case (with no charge of course), then chucking it into a drill and smoothing out the seating stem with it. Worth the trouble? Will this ring affect accuracy? 2 moa is good enough for me....

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 10:09 pm
by 20X11
My experience is that the ring makes very little to zero accuracy difference out to 100yds. Yes you can try to reshape your seating plug, but why not talk to Hornady customer service first?

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 11:22 pm
by dellet
The only other thing to be aware of would be the possibility of compressing powder. Might be worth seating one in an empty case just to check.

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 12:41 am
by gomeybear
Thanks for the info, Gents. Loaded a few up without a charge and same thing happened. Might give Hornady a call see what they can do for me. Im not too concerned if it doesn’t affect accuracy.

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 1:43 am
by gomeybear
Thought I would ask, any critiques of my crimp job? Hadn’t crimped any rounds as of today and Im curious if the crimping is too aggressive? Most here say they go with a light crimp, but not sure where I fall on the crimping spectrum....

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:35 am
by SIMJOSH1
gomeybear wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 1:43 am Thought I would ask, any critiques of my crimp job? Hadn’t crimped any rounds as of today and Im curious if the crimping is too aggressive? Most here say they go with a light crimp, but not sure where I fall on the crimping spectrum....
Crimping with Lee Factory Crimp die? Doesn't look quite as aggressive as some of mine, but with the glare it's hard to tell.. I'd say it's further than I would crimp outside of the cannelure.

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 11:33 am
by dellet
gomeybear wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 1:43 am Thought I would ask, any critiques of my crimp job? Hadn’t crimped any rounds as of today and Im curious if the crimping is too aggressive? Most here say they go with a light crimp, but not sure where I fall on the crimping spectrum....
I did not pay attention to the crimp until up asked. Looks like you might be crimping and seating at the same time. If this is true, back off the seating die a half turn at least, then seat another bullet. If the ring on the bullet goes away, it is without a doubt too much crimp.

If I crimp at all, it is a seperate function

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 11:38 am
by gomeybear
SIMJOSH1 wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:35 am Crimping with Lee Factory Crimp die? Doesn't look quite as aggressive as some of mine, but with the glare it's hard to tell.. I'd say it's further than I would crimp outside of the cannelure.
Yes sir, Lee Factory Crimp Die. I was thinking it was overshooting the cannelure too. Any way of adjusting that on the Lee Factory Crimp Die?