1SOW
Member
I'm a few thousand 9mm rounds into my Lee Turret Press/with 4 carbide dies. Everything works pretty much as expected EXCEPT the bullet seating die.
Is it expected/normal to have up to .01" OAL variation with a good consistent stroke?
1/100" has a noticeable effect on a 9mm light load at a 135pf.
Example: Loading PD 124gr fmj to 1.130 oal, I adjust the seating die to get 1.130 and it works fine for anywhere from 5 to 12+ rounds, then I start getting 1.126 for the next 5-?? rounds. I readjust the seating die to get 1.13 again; and it works for some number of rounds, then maybe changes to 1.136" for another group of rounds. If I don't readjust the die, it eventually changes (in batches) from one extreme to the other All my measurements are taken after the bullet seating die and before the full length sizing die--which incidently sometimes lengthens the OAL just slightly (.0005).
When it jumps to 1.136, I can pull much firmer on the handle and still only bring it back to maybe 1.134. When it changes to 1.126, I pull until the handle just touches bottom and it's still seating too deep at 1.28/9.
This inconsistency means I measure virtually every round and it takes 'forever' to load 100-200 rounds..
I've carefully read and followed all the die instructions (several times) and, the press is clean, carefully lubed, tightened to specs etc. My rounds are clean and consistent, both with feel and initial chrono work.
I do notice the turret flexes UP slightly when seating the bullet, but I assume this is consistent for every bullet.
Am I asking too much of this press to be accurate within a few thousandths seating depth?
Is it expected/normal to have up to .01" OAL variation with a good consistent stroke?
1/100" has a noticeable effect on a 9mm light load at a 135pf.
Example: Loading PD 124gr fmj to 1.130 oal, I adjust the seating die to get 1.130 and it works fine for anywhere from 5 to 12+ rounds, then I start getting 1.126 for the next 5-?? rounds. I readjust the seating die to get 1.13 again; and it works for some number of rounds, then maybe changes to 1.136" for another group of rounds. If I don't readjust the die, it eventually changes (in batches) from one extreme to the other All my measurements are taken after the bullet seating die and before the full length sizing die--which incidently sometimes lengthens the OAL just slightly (.0005).
When it jumps to 1.136, I can pull much firmer on the handle and still only bring it back to maybe 1.134. When it changes to 1.126, I pull until the handle just touches bottom and it's still seating too deep at 1.28/9.
This inconsistency means I measure virtually every round and it takes 'forever' to load 100-200 rounds..
I've carefully read and followed all the die instructions (several times) and, the press is clean, carefully lubed, tightened to specs etc. My rounds are clean and consistent, both with feel and initial chrono work.
I do notice the turret flexes UP slightly when seating the bullet, but I assume this is consistent for every bullet.
Am I asking too much of this press to be accurate within a few thousandths seating depth?