Bullet Scratches After Seating

[PALongbow]

I just got done reloading my first batch of 300 win mag cartridges for testing. I was using a new RCBS seating die and noticed there were small surface scratches all the way around the bullet in a circular pattern after the bullet was seated. I tried to clean the die out however they still appeared after the general cleaning. They are only in one location and seem to be very small which I think indicates a burr somewhere in the die. Any idea what is causing this and is there any solution other than calling RCBS??

Thanks,
Ron

 

[Walkalong]

You could polish the inside of the die a bit if the scratches are on the full diameter section of the bullet, or polish the inside of the seater plug if it is where it contacts the bullets ogive, but the scratches are cosmetic and will not hurt anything.

 

[ReloaderFred]

It's caused by the seating die not perfectly matching the shape of the bullet you're seating. There are various cures for this, or you can just ignore it and shoot them. If they shoot accurately, then it's not an issue, other than cosmetically.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[PALongbow]

How would you polish the inside of the die?

Ron

 

[rcmodel]

Get some 400 or 600 grit black emory paper and a slotted dowel rod.

Chuck it in a drill and have at it.

But more then likely, just a little hand polishing with emory paper will knock off the rough edges of the seater plug, or with a Dremel tool and a rubber polishing tip.

rc

 

[243winxb]

The crimping ring may be causing this. Move your die up a little so the crimper is not in contact when seating the bullets.

 

[USSR]

Ron,

Don't sweat it. It's a very common thing (my Redding Competition dies do it), and it does not affect accuracy in any way.

Don

 

[PALongbow]

Found some information about this on the RCBS site FAQ section....Looks like the seater plug does not properly fit the bullet I am using. This looks like the issue which is causing the scratch rings around the bullet. I may have to call them to get a custom die made.

Here is the link. Question #4 best decribes the issue I have.

http://www.rcbs.com/questions/dies_questions.aspx