So, aside from the normal few thousandths variation, I've been having some trouble with my seating depth consistancy. I must've spent an hour dinking with my press before I figured out that my test round (1 round in the progressive at a time) was achieving a seating depth .007-.009" more than my "production" rounds were getting (i.e. all 5 stations having rounds in them). So I'd set the die, I'd be right on the money, and then when I ran production, I'd be several thousandths longer than I normally see through regular variation. I even tried a different seating die of the same caliber. No help.
I cannot possibly fathom why the seating depth would change because of how many rounds are in the shellplate. Here's what I'm using:
Hornady LNL AP
Lee 4 die set w/ crimp die + RCBS lockout die
Loading 45 ACP using 230gr FMJ roundnose. Trying to seat to 1.260"
I've loaded thousands of other rounds, mostly 45 JHP and 45 LSWC and never had this problem. I have never loaded 230 gr. roundnose hardball on this press before, though. I wondered maybe if my brass was long and it was reaching the top of some of the other dies (maybe the resizer?), and thus preventing the ram from travelling its last few thousandths, and leaving the bullet seated a little long. It seems plausable, since I wouldn't notice a difference in any other operation if that's what it was. Does that happen? Am I crazy. Am I being too picky about my variation?
Thank you in advance to all those who are much smarter than me at all this!
Rmeju
I cannot possibly fathom why the seating depth would change because of how many rounds are in the shellplate. Here's what I'm using:
Hornady LNL AP
Lee 4 die set w/ crimp die + RCBS lockout die
Loading 45 ACP using 230gr FMJ roundnose. Trying to seat to 1.260"
I've loaded thousands of other rounds, mostly 45 JHP and 45 LSWC and never had this problem. I have never loaded 230 gr. roundnose hardball on this press before, though. I wondered maybe if my brass was long and it was reaching the top of some of the other dies (maybe the resizer?), and thus preventing the ram from travelling its last few thousandths, and leaving the bullet seated a little long. It seems plausable, since I wouldn't notice a difference in any other operation if that's what it was. Does that happen? Am I crazy. Am I being too picky about my variation?
Thank you in advance to all those who are much smarter than me at all this!
Rmeju