Copper jacket shavings

[wombat13]

I've just started handloading for rifles. I'm using RCBS dies to load for my .300WM. About half the time the case mouth shaves some of the copper jacket off when I seat the bullet. The brass are once fired Win or FC (fired by me) that I have neck-sized. The bullets are NBT, SST, and SGK, all 180 gr.

Is this normal? If not how do I correct it?

 

[BADUNAME37]

Use the chamfer tool to remove the sharp inside and outside edges of your case mouths.
A twist or two is all you need, you do not need to do anything but remove the sharp, square edge.

 

[243winxb]

Check your expander buttons diameter. It should be about .002" smaller then bullet diameter, not more.. Always use an expander.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Check your expander buttons diameter. It should be about .002" smaller then bullet diameter, not more.. Always use an expander.

I totally agree, I was under the impression the OP was using the dies as they are intended to be used, with the expander to pop the primers out, of course, if this is new brass you don't deal with the primers, but I agree the expander button must be used.

 

[243winxb]

Shaving Bullet on Seating-Crimping to Soon

Also, make sure the case mouth is not contacting the crimping ledge in the seating die to soon, if your trying to crimp while seating. You should not need a crimp, so back the die out/up a little.

 

[wombat13]

Thanks for the info. As far as I know I'm using the dies properly. In any case, I will try chamfering the case mouths and see if that solves the problem.

How much will the copper shaving affect accuracy? I'm working up loads for my rifle. Will their accuracy be representative or not?

 

[BADUNAME37]

I would think a very slight amount of shavings would not really affect accuracy adversely.

In other words, in my opinion, it would be very minimal and I don't think it would be worth re-creating the cartridges.

A lot of times the load you are trying is either going to be a good-tight group or it is not. If this is tight, then I don't think the shavings made any difference. Same if it is not a tight group.

Now if you are shaving two or three grains off the bullet (pill), that is another story!

 

[snuffy]

Case prep MUST be done to new brass. First, check the brass for length, trim if necessary. Second, run the brass partially into the FL die to uniform the mouth nice and round. Third, CHAMFER THE INSIDE OF THE MOUTH. You can use the standard chamfer tool, it should be enough, IF the bottom edge of the chamfer is smooth.

I use a VLD chamfer tool if I'm loading the nosler BT. It's a softer copper so a standard inside chamfer tool is too abrupt of an angle, it'll shave copper every time! Lyman makes the VLD chamfer tool, maybe sinclair does too--?

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=342199

From the midway site at the above url;

The Lyman VLD (Very Low Drag) Chamfer and Deburring Tool quickly and easily bevels and removes burrs from the inside of the case mouth. Standard reamers chamfer with a sharp 45 degree angle which occasionally can damage bullets due to the sharp case mouth. This tool is precision machined and hardened with a 22-degree angle cutter allowing bullets to slide in without deforming bullets or case mouths.