Round Nose Becoming Flat Tops

CBRConst · November 25, 2011, 07:24 PM

9mm 115 gr round points seated in sized and flared cartridge with very little taper. They go in as round points, but as you can see in the picture, are coming out with flat tops. Using RCBS seating die. Any thoughts?

oneoldsap · November 25, 2011, 07:28 PM

Looks like you need a different seater button in your die ! If you contact RCBS they will send you the right one , for a fee of course .

jepp2 · November 25, 2011, 07:42 PM

Did you check your die set for a second seater? For some die sets, they include a seater for WC bullet shapes and that what it looks like you are using. I know, 9mm aren't WC bullets but I have some lead 9mm conical that have a very blunt nose. You can also either drill out the current seater so it doesn't impact the bullet nose, or use JB Weld to make it fit your bullet.

YARDDOG(1) · November 25, 2011, 07:52 PM

Never had a problem like that, Are you flaring the necks, If so thats some thin plated bullet & soft lead JMO ; )
Y/D

JayTray · November 25, 2011, 08:03 PM

On a scale of 1-10 how much downward pressure is required to seat the bullet in the case? Agreed, the "stem" (for lack of a better term) insde the die is specific to the bullet shape (round vs flat). But even if you are using the flat variety it shouldnt mishape the FMJ that much.. IMHO

Just to rule out the obvious.. You inspected a handful and they are ALL round to beging with right? Wondering if there was a mix up at the factory and combined both shapes in the same package.... .02

Keep us posted, Im curious as to what caused it.

JT

mrawesome22 · November 25, 2011, 10:01 PM

Flat seat plug equals flat noses on round nose bullets.

CBRConst · November 26, 2011, 07:50 AM

I'd be embarrassed if wasn't already mad at myself. Yes, there is in fact another seating plug in the box that has a nice deep concave surface. Works just fine without any bullet flattening.

Still I have to wonder, just how soft is the lead in these bullets that would allow them to malform with not a great deal of pressure.

Thanks for all the responses. This forum has an unmeasurable wealth of knowledge.

Sport45 · November 26, 2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRConst

Still I have to wonder, just how soft is the lead in these bullets that would allow them to malform with not a great deal of pressure.

With the mechanical advantage there's a LOT more force on the ram than you feel on the handle.

FrankenMauser · November 26, 2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

With the mechanical advantage there's a LOT more force on the ram than you feel on the handle.

Just the weight of the handle of an RCBS Rock Chucker provides enough force to remove a man's thumbnail. About 5 lbs of pressure, and you start to hear bones crack.

It was his own fault....

dunerjeff · November 26, 2011, 07:05 PM

I am going to guess Rainier plated bullets?
Not saying bad bullets ,I like to shoot them for inside where laed isn't allowed.I've noticed they tend to mushroom or get marks on them real easy compared to Berry's or any jacketed.

Jim243 · November 26, 2011, 07:23 PM

It looks like you are using the seating stem for JHP, try the one for FMJ. If you do not have one, call RCBS and they will mail one out to you N/C.

Jim

armoredman · November 26, 2011, 09:50 PM

Frank, great, now Hollywood has another Mangler movie to make...

PA-Joe · November 27, 2011, 09:42 AM

This flattening can also happen if you are over crimping at the same time you seating the bullet. This is one reason to seat and crimp in spearate operations.

November 25, 2011, 07:52 PM	#4
YARDDOG(1) Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: GATOR COUNTRY HA HA HA! Posts: 721	Never had a problem like that, Are you flaring the necks, If so thats some thin plated bullet & soft lead JMO ; ) Y/D __________________ There's a GATOR in the bushes & She's Callin my name >Molly Hatchett<

November 26, 2011, 07:23 PM	#11
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	It looks like you are using the seating stem for JHP, try the one for FMJ. If you do not have one, call RCBS and they will mail one out to you N/C. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

November 25, 2011, 07:28 PM	#2
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	Looks like you need a different seater button in your die ! If you contact RCBS they will send you the right one , for a fee of course .

November 25, 2011, 07:42 PM	#3
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	Did you check your die set for a second seater? For some die sets, they include a seater for WC bullet shapes and that what it looks like you are using. I know, 9mm aren't WC bullets but I have some lead 9mm conical that have a very blunt nose. You can also either drill out the current seater so it doesn't impact the bullet nose, or use JB Weld to make it fit your bullet.

November 25, 2011, 08:03 PM	#5
JayTray Junior Member Join Date: November 17, 2011 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 6	On a scale of 1-10 how much downward pressure is required to seat the bullet in the case? Agreed, the "stem" (for lack of a better term) insde the die is specific to the bullet shape (round vs flat). But even if you are using the flat variety it shouldnt mishape the FMJ that much.. IMHO Just to rule out the obvious.. You inspected a handful and they are ALL round to beging with right? Wondering if there was a mix up at the factory and combined both shapes in the same package.... .02 Keep us posted, Im curious as to what caused it. JT

November 25, 2011, 10:01 PM	#6
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Flat seat plug equals flat noses on round nose bullets.

November 26, 2011, 07:50 AM	#7
CBRConst Junior Member Join Date: October 22, 2011 Posts: 6	I'd be embarrassed if wasn't already mad at myself. Yes, there is in fact another seating plug in the box that has a nice deep concave surface. Works just fine without any bullet flattening. Still I have to wonder, just how soft is the lead in these bullets that would allow them to malform with not a great deal of pressure. Thanks for all the responses. This forum has an unmeasurable wealth of knowledge.

November 26, 2011, 07:05 PM	#10
dunerjeff Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 440	I am going to guess Rainier plated bullets? Not saying bad bullets ,I like to shoot them for inside where laed isn't allowed.I've noticed they tend to mushroom or get marks on them real easy compared to Berry's or any jacketed.

November 26, 2011, 09:50 PM	#12
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	Frank, great, now Hollywood has another Mangler movie to make...

November 27, 2011, 09:42 AM	#13
PA-Joe Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: NEPA Posts: 909	This flattening can also happen if you are over crimping at the same time you seating the bullet. This is one reason to seat and crimp in spearate operations.