How do you load small caliber flat base bullets?

tpcollins · January 21, 2012, 06:26 PM

All of my reloading has been with bullets that have some sort of chamfer on the base but today I loaded some samples I received of flat base .204 bullets. It was impossible to them seated into the case so I had to hold them in place while running them up into the bullet seater. I even used a 39gr Blitzking bullet to sort of swage the opening but still had trouble. Is there a trick to loading these - here's a pic of (3) that didn't make it today, thanks.

Roughedge · January 21, 2012, 06:54 PM

I try to stay away from flat base bullets for 204 because of your problem. I got some free so I had to use them. I took a nail set and taped it just enough to put a slight bell on it so the bullet will set by its self.

tpcollins · January 21, 2012, 07:22 PM

I'm thinking of trying some 3/16" ID silicone tubing and snip if to about 1/4" long, slide it over the case mouth, insert a bullet and seat it just enough to start the bullet. Then lower the case, remove the tubing, and finish seating the bullet. We'll see . . .

Zildjian · January 21, 2012, 07:33 PM

Have you champhered the case mouth ? I would try that and a little lube on the case mouth for that flat base boolit. Might help you some and then seat it. Good
luck

wingman · January 21, 2012, 07:35 PM

Never have a problem with my Lee Turret, I chamfer the brass inside hold bullet/brass slightly as it moves up the cycle (204 ruger) and seat gently.

jepp2 · January 21, 2012, 07:35 PM

The Forster Bench rest seater die has a sliding sleeve that will ride with the bullet and produce rounds with less bullet TIR.

You did chamfer the inside of the neck, right?

Mobuck · January 21, 2012, 07:59 PM

I don't see nearly enough chamfer on the inside of the case mouth in the cases pictured.

Zildjian · January 21, 2012, 08:12 PM

Its hard to tell with these old eyes, but I don't see any chamfer in the case mouth at all. Wonder if he doesn't have the main die body set too low. Might need to back off a few rds. and lower the seating stem and start all over from that point.

Brian Pfleuger · January 21, 2012, 08:44 PM

I don't have any trouble beyond pinching a finger a little while holding the bullet as it goes up into the die. I do chamfer all the cases. I load flat-base v-max 32gr v-max.

tpcollins · January 21, 2012, 09:12 PM

I dug out my RCBS chamfer tool and took the edge off the inside of a couple cases and the bullet did sit on the mouth much better. I do lube the mouth but I was under the impression that I was suppose to "deburr" the inside and outside but I might need to gnaw a little more off on the inside.

I read a tip - maybe here - where I pack some steel wool inside a small cap, put it in a lathe (or drill), hold the case mouth up against it to really smooth the lip. I'll try taking a little more off the inside the next time. Thanks.

(I still like my silicone tubing idea though).

Brian Pfleuger · January 21, 2012, 09:33 PM

I don't think you'll need the lube if you chamfer the edge a little. I use brand-new Norma brass and once fired Hornady brass with no troubles.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · January 21, 2012, 10:32 PM

TPCollins, these guys have you straightened out. A little more chamfering will take you a long way. I learned the steel wool tricks years ago while perusing Varmint Al's reloading page. There is some good reading there.

Not to sound like a jerk, but your picture did put a smile on my face. Glad you came here and got it figured out and glad you persisted through it! Kudos to you!

mrawesome22 · January 22, 2012, 12:35 AM

A VLD chamfer tool will solve your problem.

A die with a sliding sleave is so much better, I can't understand why companies even make seaters without them.

VLD and a Hornady seatet and you're golden.

Mike38 · January 22, 2012, 02:23 AM

The round on the right looks similar to what happened to me about a year ago trying flat based bullets. Try a bit more chamfer on the inside of the case mouth. Also, when pressing the bullet, follow this. Raise the bullet into the seating die normally with the press, just until it “kisses” the die. Then withdraw (lower the ram) to check for squareness. If the bullet looks square, turn the case in the shell holder 90 degrees and press it in about .050. Stop and check it again. If still square, turn 90 degrees, press in another .050 or so. Work up a system where the case gets turned like this at least 4 times before it’s seated to the desired over all length. It worked for me.

Jim Watson · January 22, 2012, 02:34 AM

Does Lyman make a .204 M die?
I LIKE the M die.

flashhole · January 22, 2012, 07:32 AM

You can expand the inside of the case neck just a bit. When loading flat base bullets for my Fireball I use the die for my 7mm Rem Mag to expand it. The tapered expander ball on the decapping rod is a good size for doing it. Lee also makes a dedicated expander die that will work. It adds a step to the process because you have to use a taper crimp die to remove the expanded lip but the bullets always seat properly.

tpcollins · January 22, 2012, 08:46 AM

IllinoisCoyoteHunter - Varmint Al's may have been where I saw it - I slobered all over that site when I first got back into reloading. Since I've been able to get away with just "smoothing" the lip without an inside chamfer in the past, it never became an issue until I loaded my first set of flat base bullets. And I use all Lee Collet dies - never been a fan of RCBS, especially their bullet seater for .204.

Thankfully I have enough room in my reloading box for a new VLD tool, thanks.

January 21, 2012, 06:26 PM	#1
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	How do you load small caliber flat base bullets? All of my reloading has been with bullets that have some sort of chamfer on the base but today I loaded some samples I received of flat base .204 bullets. It was impossible to them seated into the case so I had to hold them in place while running them up into the bullet seater. I even used a 39gr Blitzking bullet to sort of swage the opening but still had trouble. Is there a trick to loading these - here's a pic of (3) that didn't make it today, thanks. __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

January 21, 2012, 06:54 PM	#2
Roughedge Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Monroe,NC Posts: 669	I try to stay away from flat base bullets for 204 because of your problem. I got some free so I had to use them. I took a nail set and taped it just enough to put a slight bell on it so the bullet will set by its self. __________________ The man that die's with the most stuff win's!

January 21, 2012, 07:22 PM	#3
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	I'm thinking of trying some 3/16" ID silicone tubing and snip if to about 1/4" long, slide it over the case mouth, insert a bullet and seat it just enough to start the bullet. Then lower the case, remove the tubing, and finish seating the bullet. We'll see . . . __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

January 21, 2012, 07:33 PM	#4
Zildjian Member Join Date: October 2, 2009 Location: Ballinger, Tx. Posts: 47	How do you load small caliber flat base bullets? Have you champhered the case mouth ? I would try that and a little lube on the case mouth for that flat base boolit. Might help you some and then seat it. Good luck __________________ I Dont know you....but I have met you 1,000 times before.

January 21, 2012, 07:35 PM	#6
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	The Forster Bench rest seater die has a sliding sleeve that will ride with the bullet and produce rounds with less bullet TIR. You did chamfer the inside of the neck, right? Last edited by jepp2; January 21, 2012 at 07:36 PM. Reason: added detail

January 21, 2012, 07:35 PM	#5
wingman Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Never have a problem with my Lee Turret, I chamfer the brass inside hold bullet/brass slightly as it moves up the cycle (204 ruger) and seat gently.

January 21, 2012, 07:59 PM	#7
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I don't see nearly enough chamfer on the inside of the case mouth in the cases pictured.

January 21, 2012, 08:12 PM	#8
Zildjian Member Join Date: October 2, 2009 Location: Ballinger, Tx. Posts: 47	How do you load small caliber flat base bullets? Its hard to tell with these old eyes, but I don't see any chamfer in the case mouth at all. Wonder if he doesn't have the main die body set too low. Might need to back off a few rds. and lower the seating stem and start all over from that point. __________________ I Dont know you....but I have met you 1,000 times before.

January 21, 2012, 08:44 PM	#9
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I don't have any trouble beyond pinching a finger a little while holding the bullet as it goes up into the die. I do chamfer all the cases. I load flat-base v-max 32gr v-max. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

January 21, 2012, 09:12 PM	#10
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	I dug out my RCBS chamfer tool and took the edge off the inside of a couple cases and the bullet did sit on the mouth much better. I do lube the mouth but I was under the impression that I was suppose to "deburr" the inside and outside but I might need to gnaw a little more off on the inside. I read a tip - maybe here - where I pack some steel wool inside a small cap, put it in a lathe (or drill), hold the case mouth up against it to really smooth the lip. I'll try taking a little more off the inside the next time. Thanks. (I still like my silicone tubing idea though). __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

January 21, 2012, 09:33 PM	#11
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I don't think you'll need the lube if you chamfer the edge a little. I use brand-new Norma brass and once fired Hornady brass with no troubles. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

January 21, 2012, 10:32 PM	#12
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	TPCollins, these guys have you straightened out. A little more chamfering will take you a long way. I learned the steel wool tricks years ago while perusing Varmint Al's reloading page. There is some good reading there. Not to sound like a jerk, but your picture did put a smile on my face. Glad you came here and got it figured out and glad you persisted through it! Kudos to you! __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

January 22, 2012, 12:35 AM	#13
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	A VLD chamfer tool will solve your problem. A die with a sliding sleave is so much better, I can't understand why companies even make seaters without them. VLD and a Hornady seatet and you're golden.

January 22, 2012, 02:23 AM	#14
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	The round on the right looks similar to what happened to me about a year ago trying flat based bullets. Try a bit more chamfer on the inside of the case mouth. Also, when pressing the bullet, follow this. Raise the bullet into the seating die normally with the press, just until it “kisses” the die. Then withdraw (lower the ram) to check for squareness. If the bullet looks square, turn the case in the shell holder 90 degrees and press it in about .050. Stop and check it again. If still square, turn 90 degrees, press in another .050 or so. Work up a system where the case gets turned like this at least 4 times before it’s seated to the desired over all length. It worked for me.

January 22, 2012, 02:34 AM	#15
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Does Lyman make a .204 M die? I LIKE the M die.

January 22, 2012, 07:32 AM	#16
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	You can expand the inside of the case neck just a bit. When loading flat base bullets for my Fireball I use the die for my 7mm Rem Mag to expand it. The tapered expander ball on the decapping rod is a good size for doing it. Lee also makes a dedicated expander die that will work. It adds a step to the process because you have to use a taper crimp die to remove the expanded lip but the bullets always seat properly. __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

January 22, 2012, 08:46 AM	#17
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	IllinoisCoyoteHunter - Varmint Al's may have been where I saw it - I slobered all over that site when I first got back into reloading. Since I've been able to get away with just "smoothing" the lip without an inside chamfer in the past, it never became an issue until I loaded my first set of flat base bullets. And I use all Lee Collet dies - never been a fan of RCBS, especially their bullet seater for .204. Thankfully I have enough room in my reloading box for a new VLD tool, thanks. __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?