new reloader, .220 swift

[billj888]

I finally completed my first reloaded cartridges: Used 55gr v max bullets and
35 gr IMR 4064. My RCBS seating die shaved plastic off the tips of 4 of my 15 reloads. Since the tips are no longer symmetrical, are the bullets garbage now? Does this happen often with plastic tipped bullets. I took out the length control rod from the die and it's obvious the opening that accepts the bullet tip is sharp. Could I chamfer it?

 

[billj888]

.220 Swift

The second question that arose from my first batch of reloads is this: Of the whole bunch, one v max was so loose I pulled it out with my fingers. After running it through the Lee full-length resizing die I seated the bullet again - same result. For peace of mind for me, the bullet should be crimped. Do most people crimp or not crimp varmint cartridges? It's built on a 98 Mauser action and I load one at a time.

 

[NCsmitty]

Could I chamfer it?

If you think it will help. When you had it out, does the seating plug fit the bullet nose well? If you have other similar dies, perhaps you can find a better matching seater plug to use.

one v max was so loose I pulled it out with my fingers.

Can you push any of the other loaded rounds against a surface and move the bullets? Strange only one is not in spec.

To check, try removing the inner neck sizer/depriming rod and size a couple cases without it and check to make sure the die is sizing the neck down properly. Or just check your expander ball. If the expander ball on the depriming rod is too big, your bullets will not have the proper tension to hold them. You need a diameter of .222 on the expander to correctly fit .224 bullets in the case. It's possible to spin sand the expander to the correct size in a drill, or order a new one of the correct diameter.
No crimp is necessary for a bolt rifle, if your neck tension is good.

All of this is dependent on having measuring instruments. Check your bullets to make sure that they are the correct size.


NCsmitty

 

[joed]

Clean the die, that should not be happening. I had the same problem with a new set of RCBS dies in .22-250, once cleaned the problem went away.

If the neck will not hold the bullet a crimp won't hold it either. Look carefully there may be a cracked neck.

 

[billj888]

new reloader, .220 Swift.

Thanks Smitty and Joed for the advice that a novice wouldn't think of. I will mic the expander ball and check the case neck for a crack. My only other set of dies, .30-06 might have a better seater plug. I'll look. What about those vmax bullets with a sliver out of the tip. Will they fly true or should they be pulled?

 

[NCsmitty]

Will they fly true or should they be pulled?

No one knows for sure, at least I don't, but if it was me, I would probably flush cut the plastic off of the 4 and shoot them if they're really mangled, or just shoot them as is, if they're not.



NCsmitty

 

[FROGO207]

I have secured a second seater plug for the bullet that was a close shape and drilled out the center (in a lathe) so that the bullet hits the seater lower on the ogive where it is metal and not plastic. This solved the problem for my 30 CAL bullets. YMMV

 

[billj888]

new reloader, .220 Swift.

Yeah, I'll get the gun hitting where I want it then fire the 4 with the cut plastic. My dies are RCBS so a question is awaiting reply on their website. It looks like the tips were sliced as they entered the plug, not by contact with the end of a too short plug. The rim of the plug opening is sharp to the touch. That's why sanding or chamfering might help. There's no deformation on the ogive either.