Recommeded amount of bell on case
Quote from Reloader on December 27, 2010, 2:48 pmJust curious why the recommendation for flare/belling of cartridge mouth is so much. Dillon seem to recommend 0.010" to 0.020" expansion to activate the powder system.
I normally flare 0.001" for jacketed, and 0.003" for lead. Powder measure activates just fine. If I use an older Lyman bullet seater, it closes the flare down to around 0.004" before the bullet contacts the seater. So all the extra bell goes away before the bullet starts to seat. Even with an older Dillon, any bell over 0.005" will get closed before bullet seating. I haven't checked my newer Dillon seating dies (the ones with the quick release for lube clean up without changing your settings).
Extra bell only shortens brass life, and doesn't necessarily improve bullet alignment. I read non-Dillon threads where folks modify the Dillon powder expander to the older style Lyman expander to actually assist with bullet alignment when seating. A larger "trumpet" flare doesn't improve alignment.
I'm just wanting take make sure I am not missing the obvious. I do take care to set the bullets on the case straight before I raise the ram.
Just curious why the recommendation for flare/belling of cartridge mouth is so much. Dillon seem to recommend 0.010" to 0.020" expansion to activate the powder system.
I normally flare 0.001" for jacketed, and 0.003" for lead. Powder measure activates just fine. If I use an older Lyman bullet seater, it closes the flare down to around 0.004" before the bullet contacts the seater. So all the extra bell goes away before the bullet starts to seat. Even with an older Dillon, any bell over 0.005" will get closed before bullet seating. I haven't checked my newer Dillon seating dies (the ones with the quick release for lube clean up without changing your settings).
Extra bell only shortens brass life, and doesn't necessarily improve bullet alignment. I read non-Dillon threads where folks modify the Dillon powder expander to the older style Lyman expander to actually assist with bullet alignment when seating. A larger "trumpet" flare doesn't improve alignment.
I'm just wanting take make sure I am not missing the obvious. I do take care to set the bullets on the case straight before I raise the ram.
Quote from Reloader on December 27, 2010, 3:30 pmIf you don't trim the brass, then it may not fully actuate the powder bar when a shorter case pushes on the powder funnel. Additionally, we want to make sure the bullet stays upright in the case mouth as the round enters the seating die.
If you don't trim the brass, then it may not fully actuate the powder bar when a shorter case pushes on the powder funnel. Additionally, we want to make sure the bullet stays upright in the case mouth as the round enters the seating die.