Redding Compition Seater puts Ring on Bullets

[Bitswap]

Just started reloading 223's and decided to get a redding competition bullet seater instead of rcbs. After loading a few rounds, I found I can feel a definate ring round the VMax 50 gr bullet I'm seating caused by the seating process. I'm not compressing the powder and neck tension is moderate.

As I run my fingernail over the bullet, I can feel a definate ridge. Not much but there. Never seen this with my rcbs seaters but it seems the redding is a bit more consistent.

Thought I might 'deburr' the seating tube but thought that might affect runout.

Is this normal for a redding or did I get a lemon?

TIA,
Bit

 

[paperpuncher49]

Bitswap-

Due to the cost, I started loading Berry's plated bullets in 45 ACP. The seater plug on my Redding die was cutting into the plating (not all the way through) and creating a groove all the way around the bullet. I borrowd an RCBS seater from a friend and it seated the plated bullets without indenting them. I called Redding and they sent me a "polished" seater plug and the condition was corrected. Redding, in my experience, is as customer friendly as RCBS.

 

[45ACPUSER]

I have experienced the ring with both Redding and Forster Micrometer Seater dies...they can be polished or you can send a few samples in and both companies will work it over.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I`ve had a couple seaters do this, both Redding and RCBS. I take a piece of 0000 steel wool and just knock the burr off the inside of the seating cup. You are not removing metal, just dulling the edge. It hasn`t that I can tell caused any problems with runout or seating and cures the ring.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

For quick and dirty customize a seating plug with a filled epoxy - bedding compound - or even candle wax for a one shot fix.

Be sure to use lots of release compound with any epoxy bedding compound.

Alternatively lap a seating plug with the desired bullet and assorted grits - even free hand or drill press will do OK.

This used to be commonly necessary to avoid collapsing hollow points as well. A variety of seating plugs much like the variety of nose punches for a lubrisizer.

 

[rcmodel]

I'd just call Redding and ask for a seater stem designed for the V-Max bullet profile. It is shaped differently then most bullets.

The seater stem you got with your die is designed for a more sloped & rounded normal bullet ogive.

rcmodel

 

[kelbro]

Call Redding. They will offer to fix it or tell you how to fix it yourself. Great folks over there.

 

[Walkalong]

Follow rcmodels advise on this one. That way you will still have your original plug that works well for many bullets.

 

[USSR]

Is this normal for a redding or did I get a lemon?

It's normal, I call it the Redding ring. You can polish the seater as previously mentioned, but I can tell you that the ring is merely a cosmetic thing, and does nothing to diminish accuracy.

Don

 

[Bullet]

I agree with USSR, my 223 bullets always have a ring from my Redding seating stem, but still group between 1 - 2 inches at 330 yards shot out of my AR.

 

[Bitswap]

Thanks for the imput everyone, appreciate it.

Groups were really good on these sets and don't think the ring is effecting accuracy. They were much better than factory ammo. Most groups were around moa on this first pass of ocw development and I didn't bother to size the necks yet. So far, this little cz hunter is doing pretty well out of the box. I'll call redding Monday and see if I can't get another stem. In the mean time, I'll live with the ring.

1-2" groups at 330 yards Bullet? I'm going to have to search your posts to see if I can get a clue as to how you do that. I suspect big bucks involved or exceptional talent.

Thanks again,
Bit

 

[terrya]

I just started reloading and have new rcbs 40 cal pistol dies that leave a ring. I just started and was not sure if it might be normal???

 

[rcmodel]

Seater stems are bullet specific in a lot of cases.
Used to be all pistol bullets were either round nose, flat point, or semi-wadcutters. And all rifle bullets were spitzers.
Not anymore!

Now, every bullet you buy has some trick shape that doesn't quite fit the "universal" seating stem.

Berry plated bullets are soft and different, Speer Gold Dots are fairly soft and different shape, the list is endless.

I make my own seating stems out of all-thread on the lathe, and have also used JB-Weld to form-fit a universal stem to seat Gold-Dots without leaving a mark.

RCBS for one, offers a wide range of seating stems to fit specific bullets.
https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/,D...=CategoryDisplay&categoryId=C45J054&route=C45

They at least used to custom fit a seating stem to a specific bullet for you if you sent them some sample bullets and your old stem.

BTW: I'm not in the "It makes no difference" crowd.
It makes a big difference to me, because it makes my reloads look like some amateur attempt to produce good ammo!

rcmodel

 

[Bullet]

BTW: I'm not in the "It makes no difference" crowd.
It makes a big difference to me, because it makes my reloads look like some amateur attempt to produce good ammo!

You can look at your ammo if you want. I'll look at my targets.