Seating depths

[Caveman Jim]

Has anyone had a constant problem with getting widely varying seating depths?
With all the presses I've used I have never had satisfactory results, even with m new to me Hornady LnL AP with Hornady dies…
This last session just the other day loading Fotay S&W I had depths from 1.117"-1.139", my target was 1.125"… I took a while to get the target depth by using a kinetic puller to pop the short ones out then adjusting the sizing die multiple times.
I guess I need a refresher course on how to accurately load ammo…
I strive for .003+/- on rifle rounds but pistol has been a bear. Am I asking too much or wut de hay?
Now don't all you fan bois get into a Ford vs Chebby pi'ssin match, just lookin for some advice.

As always, thanks in advance.

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[arakboss]

Has anyone had a constant problem with getting widely varying seating depths?
With all the presses I've used I have never had satisfactory results, even with m new to me Hornady LnL AP with Hornady dies…
This last session just the other day loading Fotay S&W I had depths from 1.117"-1.139", my target was 1.125"… I took a while to get the target depth by using a kinetic puller to pop the short ones out then adjusting the sizing die multiple times.
I guess I need a refresher course on how to accurately load ammo…
I strive for .003+/- on rifle rounds but pistol has been a bear. Am I asking too much or wut de hay?
Now don't all you fan bois get into a Ford vs Chebby pi'ssin match, just lookin for some advice.

As always, thanks in advance.

"1.117"-1.139"

I wouldn't sweat that variation. Better to go a little long than short if you are loading max loads. As long as they chamber and fit in mag, you should be fine.

 

[TTSX]

I do if my seating die is pressing on the tip of a bullet. Less so if it presses on the ogive. Some bullet profiles just don't agree with my methods/dies...


Also, your rounds may end up shortening a lot more than that when they chamber or not at all... I would not sweat it too much

 

[hongkong2]

I have a Dillon 550, dead nuts on every time...

 

[Caveman Jim]

"1.117"-1.139"

I wouldn't sweat that variation. Better to go a little long than short if you are loading max loads. As long as they chamber and fit in mag, you should be fine.

Yeah that's true on the short ones, they will never make it in my magazines along with the longer ones because I am sort of anal with that far of a swing. I am just checking them all to make sure.

I have a Dillon 550, dead nuts on every time...

Really, 1.125 (or whatever your target depth is ) every time?

 

[arrowshooter]

Could there be a differential between the bullets and how they fit seating stem?

 

[Caveman Jim]

I really don't have any idea because it happens with plated, FMJ's and XTP's.
These are the Premier Hornady dies set so I figured they would work with any type of bullet even flat points.

 

[arrowshooter]

I ran into this very thing with 45 cal Xtreme RN and XTP's with RCBS dies. I use the flat nose stem with the XTP now.

 

[Mikej]

If you are seating and taper crimping at the same time, brass length affects seating depth. Myself, working a single stage rock chucker, will give a 1/4 turn or so to the seating stem and hit it again because I know by the feel that it will be long. And turn it back, of course, for the next seating. That is why I have scratched a couple lines on the top of the seater stem.

 

[RVTECH]

Make sure there is no refuse or anything built up inside the stem.

I once had this happen with bullet lube buildup on the stem and it was affecting the seating depth.

 

[hongkong2]

I have a Dillon 550, dead nuts on every time...

They don't call it Dillon Precision for nothing

 

[hongkong2]

Yeah that's true on the short ones, they will never make it in my magazines along with the longer ones because I am sort of anal with that far of a swing. I am just checking them all to make sure.

Really, 1.125 (or whatever your target depth is ) every time?

They don't call it Dillon Precision for nothing

 

[Certaindeaf]

How is the neck tension?
If it's weak and it's a compressed load the bullet can/ could be slowly pushed out and also be driven deeper while feeding.

 

[bpyycpyy]

Is your press & dies set to allow it to cam over at the end of the stroke? This might cause bullet seating differences. I use factory crimp dies on pretty much everything I reload to prevent having to crimp & seat on the same die (I've ruined some brass before switching to this method).

 

[Caveman Jim]

I ran into this very thing with 45 cal Xtreme RN and XTP's with RCBS dies. I use the flat nose stem with the XTP now.

Mine didn't come with a flat stem, only a round one.

Make sure there is no refuse or anything built up inside the stem.

I once had this happen with bullet lube buildup on the stem and it was affecting the seating depth.

Clean as a whistle Boss, I clean dies after I'm done with a caliber.

They don't call it Dillon Precision for nothing

Fan Boi.

How is the neck tension?
If it's weak and it's a compressed load the bullet can/ could be slowly pushed out and also be driven deeper while feeding.

I only use WIN brass for Fotay S&W since I bought 2,000 rounds in 2010 when I bought my gunz. Most all is one shot cases so should be good to go. I don't like to use mixed headstamps.

Is your press & dies set to allow it to cam over at the end of the stroke? This might cause bullet seating differences. I use factory crimp dies on pretty much everything I reload to prevent having to crimp & seat on the same die (I've ruined some brass before switching to this method).

Hornady doesn't have the cam over feature on the AP that I know of and I too use factory crimp dies as a separate task.

I did do a test and deepened the flair, I don't like to stretch them out but it did help with not as many shorts. Still have the 1.13's but like the shorts, not as many. Maybe I'm onto something.

 

[Koda]

I don't know about reloading pistol ammo but with rifles the only way to assure consistent seating depths is with a bullet comparator gauge and measure to the bullets ogive not the tip.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Correct

 

[DizzyJ]

Neck tension
Brass hardness
Bullet to seating stem profiles
Compressed loads
Inconsistent bullet profiles
Loose seating dies

Can all lead to variances in OAL and seating depth.

 

[Xmark1]

I don't know about reloading pistol ammo but with rifles the only way to assure consistent seating depths is with a bullet comparator gauge and measure to the bullets ogive not the tip.

After seating I just use a meplat trimmer.
Then all COL match, Ha-ha!

 

[Caveman Jim]

Neck tension
Brass hardness
Bullet to seating stem profiles
Compressed loads
Inconsistent bullet profiles
Loose seating dies

Can all lead to variances in OAL and seating depth.

Dang, too much to think of… a few things to check off of that list is my dies are tight and no compressed loads.

After seating I just use a meplat trimmer.
Then all COL match, Ha-ha!

I just use a hammer on the long ones. Ughhhh