Bullet Seating Issue

#1 · March 11, 2011, 1:36 pm

I am loading .45 ACP with 200gr round nose plated bullets. I have noticed that a large percentage of the bullets I load with my SDB are slightly off center in the case. There is a noticeable bulge in one side of the case from the bullet. These off center loads fit very tight in the case gauge, with the worst of them not seating completely in the gauge. I have adjusted the powder/expander die to give a bell that is just large enough to allow the bullet to sit securely according to the users manual. I am using the seating stem that best matches the shape of the bullet. I have also tried to ensure that the bullets are placed straight in the cases prior to seating but I can't seem to solve the issue.

Can anyone offer a suggestion on how to correct this?

Thanks,
Dan

#2 · March 13, 2011, 5:37 am

Hahaha...

I think this is a quick fix...when they sent you the set-up, on the seating station the most likely installed the flat point seater instead of the round nose bullet seater.. i bet you a million bucks that the round nose is just cocking itself one way or the other (path of least resistance) when it hits the flat surface of the wrong die as opposed to the concave one. Let me know if this helps.

#3 · March 13, 2011, 6:06 am

actually, i was of no help..sorry, i didnt see the part about you using the correct stem...hmmm. well i noticed this today too in a select few cases but imho, i think the brass is just weak or maybe thinner on one side. I dont have anyway of measuring runout but i doubt its bad enough to make the round not chamber..i have never used new brass and i'd imagine the lopsided bulge happens less often... i just got my sdb a couple months ago and have yet to have any of my rounds not chamber in a match 1911 barrel.

#4 · March 17, 2011, 6:06 pm

Loosen the two clamp screws around the powder die in station 2. With a fired case in station 1, and a sized case in station 2, tighten FIRST the vertical screw, then the horizontal screw. This ensures the powder die is straight in the threads of the toolhead plate.

#5 · March 27, 2011, 3:00 am

Actually, I performed this action, the bullet seats better within the casing start. This must be a general alignment that I had no knowledge about.

Now, I hope this will address my Hornady XTP bullet issue of splitting cases and crushing the hollow point bullets, thus ruining the entire bullet.

I do have the correct die seating tips, but I will order both replacements again, with the broken primer spring replacements.

I'll try to report back with further results.

Hornady XTP
45 Cal
.451"
200 GR HP/XTP
#45140
Winchester/Speer casings
Winchester Lg pistol Std/Mag primers

Blue Dot powder 10.5gns.
Muzzle Vel.: 1010 fps.
Ball Coeff. 0.138
COAL: 1.200" +/- 0.003"

#6 · April 20, 2011, 1:46 am

OK update info:
The .45 seat stem for round bullets did the trick for those pesky Hornady XTP bullets. Dillon part#12476 for the Square deal "B". I also had the SWC dies, but not very successful. Use the round dies for those tapered hollow points.

Also, I did at every 10 or so casings, drop a bit of Hoppe's No9 on the first station outer-case that was getting deprimed and shaped. The entire system felt smoother and the bullet press to the case went way-y-y-y easier.

Good luck and please read forum advice, on aligning the press, it definitely helps.

Note: the seat stem is the station following the powder funnel. (To the gentleman needing advice on the off center bullets to casings.)

#7 · September 2, 2011, 11:05 pm

I think you need to look at the crip, Tapered or rolled.

I found out that a slight taper fixed the problem.

I was over cripping causing a poor fit in the gage.