Problem Seating Comb. Tech. Bullets W/ Redding Comp. Seater Die

[Terpfan41]

This is the second time this has happened to me, the only 2 times I've tried loading this bullet...... when attempting to seat Combined Technology 168 Ballistic Silvertips in .308 Win. with a Redding Competition Seater Die I experience a problem. After seating the bullet and lowering the ram to extract the cartridge, there is a noticeable "hang up", that looks like it's in the bullet ogive area, and it sticks in the die. It will pop free with additional force, but it definitely isn't normal. I've had 11 different bullets in this particular die with no issues from any of them except this one. It happens with every CT 168 round I run through it. It's wreaking havoc on my OAL's, as they are inconsistent to say the least!

I've tried spinning the cartridge in the shellholder after seating once and lowering the ram, and then raising the ram again and I can actually feel the bullet re-seat itself.....so I know that it is pulling the bullet from the case as least partially when it sticks. I've tried lubing the bullets lightly with some Hornady One Shot and that seems to help, but it doesn't totally prevent the "hang-up" effect.

All the brass has been cleaned, chamfered, deburred, etc... prior to loading of course. I've tried fire formed/neck sized brass and brand new/neck sized brass (Winchester and Lapua) with the same results for both.

Has anyone else experienced or heard of anything like this before? If so, did you have any luck resolving the issue? At this point I don't know if I should just give up on this bullet or not. I think my next step will be a call to Redding to see if they have any suggestions.

Thanks for any input you folks may have to offer and good shooting!

 

[JimKirk]

Your seating stem is not fitting the ogive of the bullet well enough. Redding would probably make you a stem(for a fee) , I'm sure, that would better fit that bullet. Is there some kind of mark(groove, heavy scratch... ) on the bullet after you extract it from the die?
I would, if it were mine, remove the stem and take a bullet and put some rubbing compound on it, place the bullet in a cordless drill and spin it while pushing it into the stem. The compound will "cut" the stem recess more to the shape of that bullet. It may not take much to get the fit you need.

Then again it may be something else....

Jimmy K

 

[Terpfan41]

Thanks for the info JimKirk...............and yes, there is a ring around the bullet in the ogive area after I remove it from the die. It shows up pretty distinctly on the black finish.

I think I will give the polishing compound a try.....thanks again.

 

[Walkalong]

Just taking the sharp edge of the inside of the stem and polishing it there will help. I have done that.

Using a bullet and compound sounds like a good idea. I would still make sure the inner edge is not sharp when you are done. Just round it a hair and polish.

 

[JimKirk]

Making sure the "edge" is slightly rounded is the idea, it may be better to chuck the stem in a drill and "round" that sharp edge with some fine emory cloth. That may be easier than doing it with the rubbing compound.

I keep a fair supply of Cratex polishing points on hand for such jobs, do a Google on Cratex points.

Jimmy K

 

[Terpfan41]

JimKirk........thanks for the advice. I used some polishing compound on a felt polishing point and a Dremel last night and it seems to have done the trick! No more sticking.......just a nice, smooth release.

 

[JimKirk]

Glad it worked out for you!!

You know what a rocky road looks like if you've been down one yourself!

Jimmy K