.223 Seating problem

[willdowling1]

I just started reloading .223, as long as I use the 55 grain boat tail bullets I have no probem. I bought some Remington 55 grain that are not boat tail and when I seat the bullet it just falls into the case and is so loose that I can pull it out. I dont use boat tail on my 7.62x39 and I have no problems. What is different about the .223? What can I do to get the Remington bullets to work?

Thanks

 

[loadedround]

It would appear to me that your expander button is too large and opening up your case neck excessively. The maker of your dies may replace that button at n/c if you explain your problem via a telcon.

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, willdowling1.

If you have access to a measuring tool such as a Vernier or micrometer, you need to check inside case neck dimension as well as your bullet diameters, so you know what you are working with. The inside diameter of the case neck should measure around .002" less than the bullet diameter.
You need to chamfer the inside of the case neck, especially when using flat based bullets.
I'm guessing that you are full length resizing?



NCsmitty

 

[willdowling1]

I dont think it is the dies, the neck opening is smaller than the bullet until I seat it. When I seat the bullet it stretches the neck out to much, but only on the Remington Bullets, if I use the boat tail they stay in fine. I will try to chamfer the inside of the neck, I havent done that.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Do you trim the cases?
Do you chamfer the cases?

 

[rcmodel]

Chamfer the case necks with a chamfering tool.

The flat base bullets are catching on the sharp edge and starting crooked.
That in turn is stretching the case necks.

rc

 

[BADUNAME37]

When I seat the bullet, I start it as straight as possible, seat just a bit, about halfway, then lower the ram and turn the cartridge 180 degrees and finish seating the bullet.

I also seat primers the same way.

Do I need to?

Most likely not, however since reloading is more like a hobby to me, it doesn't matter if I don't get so many loaded in such and such an amount of time! I just plug along at it and enjoy every moment at the reloading bench.

 

[acoop101]

Have you checked the actuall size of the bullets? I know there are some 22 bullets that are actually 223 where was in the 223 cartrage you need 0.224 size projectiles. Does it do this with every case or only some?

 

[rcmodel]

The only .223" dia. bullets I am aware of were made for the pre-WWII .22 Hornet rifles that used them, and they are not 55 grain Remington's.

rc

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

My money is on the bullets being a tad to small. If these are the same type I, bought a couple of years ago, the quality was not all that great. Though mine were the correct diameter. More or less.

 

[spartan00054]

I agree with rcmodel. I had similar issues with Hornady flat base projectiles. Be a little more aggressive with your chamfer/deburr tool and hold the bullet in line with the case mouth until both enter the body of the die.