Help-Hornady 55gr FMJ vs VMAX OAL

[JamieC]

Just started to load up some 55gr VMAX, (223), realized the actual VMAX bullet is longer than the FMJ, (.819" vs .740"). What length do I load to? If I try to load to the length I've been using, (2.200"), I run out of adjustment, can only get to about 2.230". I wanted to compare the two, figured if I use the exact same powder, amount, OAL, good comparison...well so much for that! The VMAX have a flat bottom too, a bit of a pain to sit on the brass.

 

[243winxb]

If you using Lee -

V-MAX Bullets Need Custom Bullet Seating Plug
Posted by Andy @ Lee Precision on 10 January 2012 11:57 AM
The bullet seating plug in the bullet seating and crimp die is generic and designed to seat a wide variety of bullet types. It is a very low drag bullet and has very steep sides. These steep sides allow a large portion of the bullet to slide into the bullet seating plug before the plug makes contact with the bullet ogive. This causes the bullet seating plug adjustment to bottom out before the bullet can be seated to achieve the cartridge overall length you are loading to.

A remedy for this is to order a custom bullet seating plug for $8.00 + shipping. Order the plug online at: http://leeprecision.com/custom-bullet-seating-plug.html

Send the sample bullet you want the plug made for, along with a copy of your invoice, and we will make the plug for you.

Lee Precision

4275 Highway U

Hartford, WI 53027

 

[JamieC]

Well, short of waiting 4-6 weeks, I can get an OAL of 2.230" now, 2.260" is the max for an AR15, if I go with an 2.250", that's .050" longer than I'm using now for the Hornady FMJ, the bullet itself is nearly .080" longer so I'm .030" deeper into the case plus the boat tail takes a bit less room so I'll back up some on the powder charge. Anyone used these 55gr v-max bullets with CFE223 or H335

 

[rcmodel]

I find it pretty hard to understand how your seating die cannot be adjusted to seat shorter then 2.230" with any bullet.

If you were loading 40, 45, or 50 grain bullets from anyone, you would almost have too.

BTW: Hornady manual says 55 BT-FMJ seats 2.200".
And it would need to if you put the cannulure where it needs to be to crimp into it.

They also say 55 V-Max is 2.250".

You sure you have your seating die adjusted down just far enough it is not crimping?
If you do, your seating stem should have enough adjustment left to seat whatever length you want.

Or maybe it's just a Lee die problem like 243winxb pointed out.

rc

 

[theslasher]

You seating die is not adjusted far enough down. Ive loaded hundreds upon hundreds of 55 vmax with Lee dies. No issues. And 2.25" is your lucky number!

 

[josmund]

Ditto.

I have the Lee Classic, 3 Die set. I load the 55 Vmax to 2.250 which the Hornady book suggest. Something is not adding up

 

[Gadawg88]

Not exactly the same, but I load the 7.62x39 123 gn V-max with Lee seating die with no problems.

 

[JamieC]

I CAN get 2.250" OAL, the shortest I am able to get is 2.230", (I had been loading the FMJBT at 2.200"), at 2.230" the adjustment screw is bottomed out. I double checked the actual die set up, ram all the way up, screw die in till it touches, 1/4 turn more. So I'm good, I'll load them to 2.250". I'll go back on the powder, start over, didn't realize the two projectiles where that different. The flat bottoms on the v-max make starting the bullet interesting. Anyone using CFE223 powder load any of the v-max bullets? I'm sure there are more than a few who have used the H335.

 

[rcmodel]

No, you're not good.

That is not the way you adjust the seating die.
That's for the sizing die only.

To adjust the seating die, put a sized case in the shell holder, and run the ram up.
Then screw the die down until you feel it contact the empty case mouth.

Any further down then that is crimping the brass on the bullet before you can seat it all the way.

I'm really surprised you aren't buckling cases right & left over-crimping the way you have it set.

rc

 

[243winxb]

Unless hes using this??

Dead Length Bullet Seating die adjustment
Posted by on 19 October 2011 01:30 PM
Make sure that you have the bullet seating die adjusted down so that the shell holder contacts the base of the die when the ram is raised to the top of its stroke. The Deluxe die set comes with the Dead length bullet seating die, which does not crimp the case, and is designed to be adjusted that way to eliminate clearance in the press for a more uniform bullet seating depth.

 

[JamieC]

Yup, "Easy adjust dead length bullet seating die-this die does not crimp". "Simply screw the die in until it touches the shell holder, plus an additional 1/4 turn and finger tighten the lock ring." rc, I'm using a Lee 4 hole turret press.

 

[Walkalong]

The VMAX have a flat bottom too, a bit of a pain to sit on the brass.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/11...meter-50-grain-boat-tail?cm_vc=ProductFinding

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/35...ain-boat-tail-box-of-100?cm_vc=ProductFinding


The Dead Length seaters do a good job. Weird that you cannot get the OAL shorter. I suppose the body could be the wrong one. (Too long.)

 

[JamieC]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/11...meter-50-grain-boat-tail?cm_vc=ProductFinding

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/35...ain-boat-tail-box-of-100?cm_vc=ProductFinding


The Dead Length seaters do a good job. Weird that you cannot get the OAL shorter. I suppose the body could be the wrong one. (Too long.)

Hmmm, wonder why, if boat tails are supposed to be more stable, why do they make flat bottoms? I guess I'll have to do another test, compare the two. The flat bottom do make for more work, keeps my attention.
After reading up on the flat base vs boat tail, the majority of info I got is boat tails CAN be more accurate usually beyond 300 yards and are less affected by wind. Hornady makes v-max boat tails up to 53gr in 223, the 55 and 60gr are flat base. At this point, boat tails are easier to load.