Barnes 110gr .308 sticking in Lee die 300 Blk

[Telum Pisces]

I just picked up a new 300 Blackout and I of course got all the associated reloading stuff for the round. I picked up some Lee dies (set) and the Barnes 110gr TAC-TX bullets are sticking in the bullet seating die. It seems the bullet is too long and the plastic tip is hitting the seating plug well before the bullet. This is going to cause inconsistent seating depths and other problems as well.

Anyone else had this issue? Other bullets seem to load just fine. I usually have no issues with the lower end Lee dies. This is the first issue I've had so far.

Anyone have experience loading the Barnes bullets in 300 Blackout with how long and slender they are?

 

[Telum Pisces]

After further investigation, it seems like a quick fix with a drill to drill out the seating plug a tiny bit will fix the issue.

 

[outdoorman63]

Seems those barnes are 1.175 long, longest I have done are some hornandy 150's that were 1.123 and they were fine. Will have to keep that in mind if I load some of the barnes tac

 

[Phantom 309]

it seems like a quick fix with a drill to drill out the seating plug a tiny bit will fix the issue.

I have not personally experienced the issue that you are having, but, based on your description I think that you are on the right track here. Boring a relief in the center of the seating plug should allow it to push on the ogive instead of the tip. Just get the plug clamped securely in some soft jaws or something that won't tear up the outside if the bit grabs and spins it, and don't take off too much meat. You can always take off more after test fitting a bullet by hand as you go.

 

[Charlie98]

Furthering 309's thought... drill a pilot hole or divot first, then use the pilot hole to center the bigger bit... depending on how much material you need to remove.

 

[jmorris]

It’s already center drilled, if you need to go deeper.

I didn’t have to mess with mine, using that bullet though.

 

[edwardware]

I was having trouble picturing this until I saw @jmorris picture. . . WOW. That is a long and lanky poly tip!

@Telum Pisces drill that seating stem a bit deeper, and rock on.

 

[Telum Pisces]

I was having trouble picturing this until I saw @jmorris picture. . . WOW. That is a long and lanky poly tip!

@Telum Pisces drill that seating stem a bit deeper, and rock on.

I have drilled it out to make the seating stem deeper. It has solved the issue. These bullets are long and lanky to mimic the length of a .223/556 and feed better. Also aids in bullet coefficient/drag when it comes to the 300 Blackout. A lot of people swear by this bullet for hunting and 300 Blackout. So I decided to give it a go.

 

[Telum Pisces]

Before and after drilling operation.