alexm Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Hi, I've recently started loading for my .44 Marlin and LBR and have a rather strange problem with the bullet seating die. It is a Redding seating/roll crimp die and is basically leaving an embossed ring all the way around the ogive on round nose flat point hard cast lead bullets where the seating 'plug' contacts the bullet. I'm putting a bit of flare on the cases and the bullet slides in without any lead being shaved off, but obviously there is still enough force required to push the bullet in that the die cuts into the bullet slightly. Anyone got any suggestions? Has the seating plug got too sharp an edge on it? Or am I doing something wrong? It doesn't appear to affect accuracy really, just looks a bit untidy! I'll try and get some pics of the problem when I get home. thanks, Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 It's just a light ring type mark around the ogive right... ? If so - mine does it, also with redding dies but in .223 That said it's not a problem, and have never given me or foxy woxy cause for concern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted September 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 It's just a light ring type mark around the ogive right... ? Yep that's it, although it is a little bit more than a mark, more a slight dent/cut into the lead. Strangely enough it doesn't happen with my .223 or .30-06 dies which are both Redding too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Strange indeed as my RCBS do it in .222, and as with Gary, foxes and crows can`t tell the difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted September 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Here we are, some pics of the problem: Do you think I should try and smooth off the edge of the seating plug? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 I carnt see that being a problem . Have you tried crimping some to see if the mark disapears ? if you are flaring the cases then maybe they are not returning to the proper overall size with the bullet seated and may need a slight crimp , any how any mark on the ogive from crimping or any thing else will have disapeared by the time it comes out of the barrel . Harnser . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 What you probably have is a seating die that is designed for semi wadcutter (swc) heads that have a smaller frontal diameter and steeper angle head in front of the .429" driving bands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted September 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 I carnt see that being a problem . Have you tried crimping some to see if the mark disapears ? if you are flaring the cases then maybe they are not returning to the proper overall size with the bullet seated and may need a slight crimp , any how any mark on the ogive from crimping or any thing else will have disapeared by the time it comes out of the barrel .Harnser . Harnser . I am putting virtually no crimp on these loads as they are very light target loads and I want to prolong the case life, literally just enough crimp to undo the flare. The ring is present no matter how much crimp I use, but it is slightly worse when I use more crimp, I guess because the seating die has to push harder on the bullet to complete the seating operation as it is working against the crimp as it is forming? What you probably have is a seating die that is designed for semi wadcutter (swc) heads that have a smaller frontal diameter and steeper angle head in front of the .429" driving bands. I think you could be right there. I have taken the seating plug out and the profile of it simply doesn't fit the shape of the bullet. Looking here: http://www.redding-reloading.com/PDFfiles/seriesa.pdf It seems to suggest the 44mag comes with a semi wadcutter plug "01074SWC"... no mention of a RNFP option either So I guess my only options are 1) live with it, 2) try to machine some material off the seater plug to make the bullet fit better or 3) try to find another plug (or whole die!) ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr smith Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 (edited) If it was me i'd take option one,but i'm a lazy sod. Edited September 25, 2009 by mr smith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 Just seen your pic's and the seating punch is almost certainly for a swc the one for a RN has got a wider taper on it, I have a 303 die for fmj but if i load 185gr lead heads it leaves the same ring on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted September 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Right, after seeking some advice from the guys down the club I have removed some material from the end of the plug. I used a spherical grinding bit (like the type you use to reseat valves and taps) in a pillar drill to reduce the depth of the plug and also add a chamfer to the inside edge. I removed just enough material so the bullet sits in the plug and is supported at the sizes and the bottom of the plug. Result: perfectly seated bullet and no ring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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