Hard time loading with plated bullets

[martinb3152]

Hello everyone, I am having a hard time getting a handle on using copper plated bullets for loading in .45acp 230 RN. They are so smooth that I am having to fool around with setting the bullet on the case a lot. I have to fiddle with it a lot to get them to align fairly straight for seating. Cast bullets are much easier to work with, but I really don't like loading a whole lot of cast due to handling lead all the time.

Am i doing something wrong here? I have tried less flare vs more flare and it still is hard getting them straight. Anyone else having this problem with plated bullets?
thanks,
martinb3152

 

[drband]

What diameter are your bullets?

 

[bbqreloader]

martin, i load 185 rn 45, so curious what dies you are using? Wondering if your "to much flare" is not enough? Usually I can seat the bullet in the case and it has a little grip to it when I try and pull it out. Didn't see drbands question, so that might have something to do with it

 

[Conservidave]

It should be a fairly strait forward process which will require a certain amount of flare in the case, usually all you need is enough to hold a bullet. Getting it lined up strait just takes a little practice. Also, Hornady makes seating dies with an alignment sleeve, they work great for me.

 

[ericuda]

Try belling the case a bit more. If you get the bullet to set reasonably straight the die will do the rest.

 

[joneb]

Are the bullets not seating properly?

 

[martinb3152]

What diameter are your bullets?

I have dillon 550b with dillon dies and I believe the bullets are .452 in diameter.
martinb3152

 

[kcofohio]

It's could be the difference between beveled base (BB) of cast to flat base (FB) of plated bullets. The flat base tend to be more wobbly (for lack of technical terms ) during seating. Just more attention is required.

 

[martinb3152]

Are the bullets not seating properly?

There seating properly but it takes a long time to line the bullet up on the case sometimes. It seems to wobble around alot before I pull the handle.
martinb3152

 

[ReloaderFred]

Just bell the case enough for the bullet to sit on it without falling off. You're probably not belling it enough now.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[joneb]

kcofohio has a good point, I load plain base bullets and they are more difficult to alien but I prefer them. I do spin the case while seating the bullet, seems to help with concentricity.
Maybe a bit more flare?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Cast bullets are much easier to work with, but I really don't like loading a whole lot of cast due to handling lead all the time.

thanks,
martinb3152

Just a note, lead is not dangerous unless you breath in fumes or in just it. Nearly handling it will not make you sick. BUT, if it worries you why not bypass the bare lead in favor of costed bullets? I'm now using costed bullets in the 9mm and I like them a lot. My next order for the 45 will probably be coated bullets too.

 

[rcmodel]

There seating properly but it takes a long time to line the bullet up on the case sometimes

You don't have to align them up perfectly before pulling the handle.

All you have to do is keep then on top of the case long enough to get them in the seating die.

The die, and the seating stem that fits the bullet nose properly will align and seat them straight.

rc

 

[martinb3152]

Just a note, lead is not dangerous unless you breath in fumes or in just it. Nearly handling it will not make you sick. BUT, if it worries you why not bypass the bare lead in favor of costed bullets? I'm now using costed bullets in the 9mm and I like them a lot. My next order for the 45 will probably be coated bullets too.

Thanks, i was thinking about giving these a try next.
martinb3152

 

[tightgroup tiger]

LIke RC said, just guide them into the seating die and let it do it's job. I barely flare mine anymore at all and mine bullets won't sit on top of my dies either.

I check them when their seated and they are always straight.

 

[Walkalong]

The straighter you start them, the straighter they will end up. The die will "straighten" them some, but rounds will be closer to dead straight if the bullet is started straight than if started crooked. Enough to matter?

A Lyman M die or the new RCBS and Redding expanders that copied the two step design do a great job of getting bullets started straighter.

One of those may be worth a try.

That said, I agree with others who say you may not be flaring enough. I don't have any trouble seating various plated bullets regardless of expander style.

 

[slapdead]

I've had to flare more on these Rainier 185gr .45 ACP's plated bullets because the soft plating will peel away from the lead core unless started perfectly in the bell. They aren't bonded to the core.

The do great unless you get in a hurry and don't have one square to the mouth before seating.

This is the same piece of brass not rebelled but just seated more carefully after pulling the ruined bullet with a fresh one.

Use a good bell and plenty of Patience. The bullets shoot amazing for the cost savings. My load is 5.5 gr of Titegroup, WIN brass, WLP primer, at 1.200" OAL with a very slight taper crimp. Chrono's at an average 915 fps out of the Glock 21. Nice quiet mild target load.

 

[mdi]

As mentioned above; a little patience and practice is needed to get those slick bullets set straight in the case mouth. You said you've tried more flare and less flare, but use as much as you need, don't worry about "case life" now, if it's 1/16" over, do it. It's better to get good shootable ammo now and worry about case life later. Mebbe cleaning some of the bullets bases with brake clean and they would be less likely to slip around, and make sure there isn't any residue (wax or dust) in the case mouth. I have experienced much the same, but attributed it to my fat, fumble fingers. Remember, you're not stuffing the bullets in the case mouth, just sitting them there...

 

[rdtompki]

Bayou 115gr have a slight bevel on the base while Acme 115gr are quite squared off, but both can easily be seated by hand or using my Mr. BF with the proper bell.

 

[dartor]

I replaced all my RCBS expander dies with Lyman "M" dies 20 years ago. Both lead and plated bullets fit the case mouth very straight. I have no idea if the Lyman "M" dies are made as well now, but they are worth a try.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/340927/lyman-neck-expander-m-die-45-caliber-handgun

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

In with the flare it more crowd. I've had the same problem when mine wasn't flared enough.

Also as stated you can run the ram up closer and set the bullet on. As long as its not to crooked it will line up when the seating die hits it.

 

[joneb]

With plated acp loads I seat and crimp in two steps.

 

[d'zaster]

I gave up on plated bullets. Had similar issues as shown in in Slapdead's pictures but the real problem that turned me off is the variable accuracy. Berry bullets seemed pretty decent compared to others I have tried (38spl, 9mm, 40, 10mm). Rainier hollow points don't cycle in my SIG P220 (45acp)

 

[joneb]

slapdead.
I've been loading plated bullets for over 20 years and I have never seen your problem
Your dies are not adjusted correctly or the bullets are not the right diameter.

 

[highlander 5]

I'm with the not enough flare crowd. I hate losing brass to crushed sides but in all honesty if you're worried about losing a case to verify flaring or a split you'll lose the case before it splits. Don't know if you shoot at a club or not but at my club on the outdoor range I manage to pick up more once fired brass than I lose. This past weekend I picked up just over 100 once fired 45 acp cases.