RCBS Bullet Seater Breaking Polymer Tips

zachvu

zachvu

New member
I tried out a new set of RCBS dies over the weekend, and really liked the SB series sizer die. However, the bullet seating die kept breaking the polymer tips off of the zmax's I was loading. It looks like it was pinching between the wall of the die and the actual seating depth portion. Any ideas what I was doing wrong or how to cure it? Before this I was using a Lee seating die, and haven't had this problem.
 
I had the same problem. You need to loosen the nut on the top of the die and then back out the seating depth portion of the die. I think when you have it to far into the die there is a gap that the bullet can slide into and then it snaps it off.
 
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Originally Posted By: zachvuI tried out a new set of RCBS dies over the weekend, and really liked the SB series sizer die. However, the bullet seating die kept breaking the polymer tips off of the zmax's I was loading. It looks like it was pinching between the wall of the die and the actual seating depth portion. Any ideas what I was doing wrong or how to cure it? Before this I was using a Lee seating die, and haven't had this problem.

To properly set up a seating die, back out the seating stem all the way.

Back the seating die up in the press so it is only slightly screwed in.

Put a cartridge with a bullet in it, and and run the ram up to the top.

Screw the die down until you feel a slight resistance - this should happen when there is about 1/10" of space between the top of the shell holder, and the bottom of the die.

Back the die out 1/2 turn, and lock the die body ring for this adjustment.

Now, with the ram still up, screw the seating stem down until you hit the bullet.

Now, lower the ram, and screw the seating screw down a few turns, and raise the ram and partially seat the bullet.

Lower the ram, and measure the bullet... Then seat it in steps until the OAL is what you want...

... and now you are ready to seat bullets.


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Originally Posted By: CatShooter
To properly set up a seating die, back out the seating stem all the way.

Back the seating die up in the press so it is only slightly screwed in.

Put a cartridge with a bullet in it, and and run the ram up to the top.

Screw the tie down until you feel a slight resistance - this should happen whrn there is about 1/10" of space between the top of the shell holder, and the bottom of the die.

Back the die out 1/2 turn, and lock the die body ring for this adjustment.

Now, with the ram still up, screw the seating stem down until you hit the bullet.

Now, lower the die, and screw the screw down a few turns, and raise the ram and partially seat the bullet.

Lower the ram, and measure the bullet...

... and now you are ready to seat bullets.


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Same thing I was trying to say just a lot better said.
 
Thanks everyone. I thought I had it set correct, but apparently not. I'll have to give it another try when I get home tonight.

On a related note - should I back the seating die out a full turn if I don't want it to taper crimp at all? I'm using a Lee FCD, so my thinking was that I didn't want the taper crimp as well. Does this make a difference or should I just setup as normal and double crimp? (looking for the CatShooter long explanation with theory to satisfy my curiosity if possible!)
 
Originally Posted By: zachvuThanks everyone. I thought I had it set correct, but apparently not. I'll have to give it another try when I get home tonight.

On a related note - should I back the seating die out a full turn if I don't want it to taper crimp at all? I'm using a Lee FCD, so my thinking was that I didn't want the taper crimp as well. Does this make a difference or should I just setup as normal and double crimp? (looking for the CatShooter long explanation with theory to satisfy my curiosity if possible!)

I do not crimp ANY cartridge in a seating die...

... cuz when the case starts to crimp, and dig into the bullet, the bullet is still being pushed down - very badd Juju.

Seat and then crimp - pistol, or rifle.


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I am crimping for the ammo that gets thrown into an ammo can, bounced around in the truck, then on a four wheeler, and eventually gets shot. I figure it's a safeguard to prevent a bullet from creeping out and making my OAL off.

I am using a separate die to crimp, the Lee factory crimp die, and the RCBS to seat the bullet.

In regards to my question about the seater crimping the round, since you do it in separate stages also, I assume a half turn out is far enough that no crimp occurs?
 
Originally Posted By: zachvuI am crimping for the ammo that gets thrown into an ammo can, bounced around in the truck, then on a four wheeler, and eventually gets shot. I figure it's a safeguard to prevent a bullet from creeping out and making my OAL off.

I am using a separate die to crimp, the Lee factory crimp die, and the RCBS to seat the bullet.

In regards to my question about the seater crimping the round, since you do it in separate stages also, I assume a half turn out is far enough that no crimp occurs?

1/2 turn should be enough...


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