I just got done loading a few .257 roberts for my son. I thought I would try some 110 gr accubonds in this cal because I have had good success with these bullets. I trimmed the case to 2.225 which is just under the max of 2.233. Here is my problem. when I set the bullet to the max OAL, the bullet is actually seating too far into the case and I can't get it to seat tight even with a crimp. I crimped it and I can spin the bullet with a little twist of my fingers. What am I missing? I am fairly new to reloading, but have loaded many rounds without a problem. I have never encountered this and looked at everything I can think of. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks.
Figure this one out for me
- Thread starter bouva
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snuffy
Member
Not enough info, whose dies, type of die, type of press, load specifics. Otherwise we're guessing. Here's a guess, are you using a lee collet neck sizer?
You did run the case through the sizing die to full length size it or at least size the neck if ou are using a neck sizing die? If using a collet neck sizing die it needs to close tightly around the neck to form it against the mandrel.
Prsonally I prefer set the OAL using factory ammo or under the Maximum by a 1/10th (or s0) since you don't know the chamber dimensions of the rifle you are reloading to and too long can fail to chamber. Best to use the rifle to set the OAL.
Make sure your bullet diameter is .257" and pull the expanding ball/decapping stem from the die and check the ball diameter, it should be just under .257.
Fianlly if everyting looks and measures correctly try scewing the seating die in a little bit more to get some more crimp.
Prsonally I prefer set the OAL using factory ammo or under the Maximum by a 1/10th (or s0) since you don't know the chamber dimensions of the rifle you are reloading to and too long can fail to chamber. Best to use the rifle to set the OAL.
Make sure your bullet diameter is .257" and pull the expanding ball/decapping stem from the die and check the ball diameter, it should be just under .257.
Fianlly if everyting looks and measures correctly try scewing the seating die in a little bit more to get some more crimp.
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What do you consider Max OAL?
Give us more info and someone will surely help you.
- The OAL listed in the load data? That's Minimum OAL.
- Or the SAAMI commercial maximum cartridge length? That's the commercial standard.
- Or the maximum your son's rifle chamber will accept before bullet hits the lands?
Give us more info and someone will surely help you.
I am using a lee press with Lee dies. Full length sizing. I have the case trimmed to 2.225 and I have the OAL at 2.780 which is what the diagrams show as max OAL. Min is 2.620. I don't believe the problem lies with the case mouth being too wide or the bullets too narrow. It seems like when I load to these specs, the bullet is seated too far into the case and the case mouth is actually past where the ogive starts. Like I said, I am not a reloading expert by any means, but I have not had any problems with any other rounds that I have loaded by following the specs in the Lee diagrams. I don't know, I am at a loss here.
ADKWOODSMAN
Member
bouva
What are you using to measure your loaded cases?
RH
What are you using to measure your loaded cases?
RH
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I am at a loss here too.
The .257 Roberts, loaded to 2.780" with any bullet, should have all the ogive outside the case mouth.
2.775" is max allowable SAAMI OAL with any bullet, and you are .005 over that!
Did you zero your calipers and double-check them before measuring the OAL of the loads?
rc
The .257 Roberts, loaded to 2.780" with any bullet, should have all the ogive outside the case mouth.
2.775" is max allowable SAAMI OAL with any bullet, and you are .005 over that!
Did you zero your calipers and double-check them before measuring the OAL of the loads?
rc
I have to do that all the time. I have a pretty old, (but good) Browne/Sharpe digital, one of the first made, that's always off .0005 every time I check my COAL. They don't calibrate them any more so I have to do it myself. But the calibration isn't the problem.
bouva states the bullet spins in the case even with a crimp. Seems to me that:
1. Wrong expander/die
2. Bullet is not the right diameter.
3. Case is wrong.
Reason for the case being wrong is I screwed up once reloading 30-30 and got some .32 spl in with the 30-30's.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I would normally agree.
But he said:
With a 110 Nosler Accubond in a .257 Roberts, that has to be an OAL measurement mistake of some kind.
If he has a Vernier caliper, they are very easy to read wrong.
If he has dial or digital calipers, they always need to be zeroed.
If he is using a ruler or tape measure, all bets are off!
rc
But he said:
With a 110 Nosler Accubond in a .257 Roberts, that has to be an OAL measurement mistake of some kind.
If he has a Vernier caliper, they are very easy to read wrong.
If he has dial or digital calipers, they always need to be zeroed.
If he is using a ruler or tape measure, all bets are off!
rc
I have a manual caliper. I zeroed it. I also have some factory ammo to compare with and after checking rechecking and checking again, they are the same length. my only other thought would be that the factory ammo has a round nose bullet which has straight sides and essentially has no ogive to it. Is this caliber fussy with pointed bullets? I don't know, but I know I will figure it out. The ones I did get a good crimp on are tack drivers. My 13 yr old also shot a doe with them on saturday, so I don't want to abandon the accubonds for the round nosers. Thanks for any input.
Seedtick
Member
Have you measured any of the bullets that aren't working? Might be some different bullets or rejects mixed in with them?
ST
ST
Get a Hornady OAL Gauge and measure to the lands in your rifle. Seat the bullets .025" off the lands and you will likely have a longer OAL than what is listed in the manuals. That will allow you to crimp with the Lee Factory Crimp Die and your problem is solved.
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