The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old November 27, 2011, 07:28 PM   #1
will99
Member
 
Join Date: June 13, 2009
Location: western NC
Posts: 44
inconsistent seating depth

Seating semi-wadcutter bullets for the .380 at .930 they can range from .922 to .935. This problem occurs with two other rounds I currently load also but to a lesser extent. The .380 bullets have an unusual tip and don't fit the cup well and have lube that gums up the die. Do you have to get a custom cup for each style bullet? Is there anyone who gets exact lengths every time without constant measuring and tweaking every round? Do you just let it go if they vary by several thousandths?
will99 is offline  
Old November 27, 2011, 09:07 PM   #2
k4swb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 11, 2009
Posts: 389
Seater Stems

On flat tip handgun bullets, SWC, WC, Flat point, I use just the flat bottomed punch. If I'm having trouble with HP or RN bullets I sometimes mix up some epoxy and use a bullet and mold my own insert for my punch. For plinking ammo a few thousands doesn't matter (to me) much.

As long as it fits the magazine and chambers OK, stays in the case and doesn't fall out it is fine.

I'd like them all to be exactly the same but sometimes I'll get a slight variance.

Nowadays with the way I shake while shooting a couple or three thousands difference in seating depth don't make much difference in my results.
__________________
My posts are things I have tried or experienced. You may or may not wish to emulate them so read them with this in mind.
Compromise means that both sides give something, but they never give, they just take.
I'm The NRA!
k4swb is offline  
Old November 27, 2011, 09:41 PM   #3
jepp2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 24, 2008
Location: Loveland, CO
Posts: 1,476
Quote:
Is there anyone who gets exact lengths every time without constant measuring and tweaking every round?
First, are you measuring to the tip or the ogive? Bullet lengths will vary and if you are seating from the ogive of the bullet, measuring to the tip may not be as accurate. To measure the OAL to the ogive you need a comparator.

Realistically, I would never see any difference in accuracy in a 380 given the difference in OAL as measured to the bullet tip as you describe.

You also mentioned lube building up in the bullet seater. As lube builds up, it will result in the bullet being seated deeper in the case as lube builds up increases. It shouldn't vary so much round to round, but if you don't clean it out, it will continue to shorten your OAL.
jepp2 is offline  
Old November 27, 2011, 09:52 PM   #4
briandg
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 4, 2010
Posts: 5,468
You're talking about appr 1/100th of an inch. this is meaningless. This is not 1k yard match ammo, this is pistol ammo meant to be fired at 50 feet or so. this much deviation will not be capable of altering pressures significantly, or altering feed significantly, either.
briandg is offline  
Old November 28, 2011, 01:31 AM   #5
1SOW
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 2, 2007
Location: South TX
Posts: 269
The smaller the case, the more important oal becomes. In a 45acp .01 isn't that big of a deal, but in a 380 it can be a very big deal, especially if you're in the upper mid-max load range.

-Plus or minus .004" or .005" should be a reasonable max. limit, and most should be better than that.
-Case length and bullet length does not affect "COAL". The distance from the die anvil to case bottom (case holder) should not change. Bullet seating depth changes with case/bullet length changes.
-Your handle pull CAN cause deeper or shallower seating due to some flex in many presses and the way the anvil seats on the bullet. You do need a steady consistent handle pull on any press for best results.

-A flat anvil may be the solution, the cup may not fit the flat tip of the bullet close enough to get consistency. You can pull it out and look at how it hits/fits the nose.

Hope this makes sense.

Last edited by 1SOW; November 28, 2011 at 01:44 AM.
1SOW is offline  
Old November 28, 2011, 10:36 AM   #6
frank_1947
Member
 
Join Date: August 9, 2008
Location: MO
Posts: 76
no matter what bullet you load if you measure from tip of bullet you will get variation you can seperate bullets by length or buy a comparator i use hornady
__________________
Frank
NRA Certified Rifle Inst.
frank_1947 is offline  
Old November 29, 2011, 12:09 AM   #7
1SOW
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 2, 2007
Location: South TX
Posts: 269
Quote:
no matter what bullet you load if you measure from tip of bullet you will get variation you can seperate bullets by length or buy a comparator i use hornady
IMHO, For straight wall pistol rounds using a comparator is like driving a Ferrari to Wal-Mart for groceries.

I have loaded at least 30K 9mm rds on a turret press using multiple bullet brands, types and nose shapes. I have 1400 on my bench NOW. You can pick up any one you like and the MAX variation will be less than .002". Most will be +/- .001".

Normal bullet length variations do not affect COAL, or there is something wrong with your press or seating die. It WILL affect seating depth.

Last edited by 1SOW; November 29, 2011 at 12:19 AM.
1SOW is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:08 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.04660 seconds with 10 queries