when seating 45/70 i get offset bulge??

[Craigman]

as stated ing the title, when i seat the bullet in the case for 45/70 i seem to consistently be getting an offset bulge where the bullet stretches the brass when going in. the bullets are short and fat so i cant really tell if they are going in, or seated crooked. It seems bullet type or construction doesnt make a difference. I have only R-P brass and am using Hornady dies. The bullets used were 405gn rem, 300gn rem and some hardcast bevel base 300gnRNFP. They all shoot well but just dont look right to me. its like the case only bulges on one side of the brass. Weak part? Cheap/bad brass? I lightly flare before seating and the brass is clean, trimmed, and dies are fairly new.

anyone seen this before or have any ideas? I thought it may be the seating cup but im not sure. Kinda looks like the cup would be good for the leverevolution bullets,(cone) but i havent taken it apart and in the directions with the dies, it didnt say.

 

[rcmodel]

It's pretty common.
First, check your shell holder for burs or dirt holding the case off center.
Also, check the slot in the ram the shell holder snaps into and insure it is centered in the ram.

Next, make sure your seating stem matches the shape of the bullet you are using.

Next, loosen the die lock nut and center the die with the ram up and a case fully inside the die.
Then tighten the lock ring.

After that, try rotating the round 1/2 turn in the shell holder after the bullet is seated part way. Then finish seating & crimping it.

rc

 

[dave from mesa]

Next, loosen the die lock nut and center the die with the ram up and a case fully inside the die.
Then tighten the lock ring.

Great idea rc. Will use that the next time I have to set up dies.
thanks.

 

[Craigman]

ok thanks, ill try that out

 

[ranger335v]

I suspect your expander is on the small size that that makes the bullet it's own expander as it's seated. Most every case will have a thin or soft side and the mouth will stretch there, not so much on the stronger/thicker side. So ... the weak side shows the most expansion.

Fix it? Well, if it really bothers you it will likely require an expander that's a closer match to the bullet diameter.

 

[bobnob]

Have had the same problem. I have learned not to worry about it as it doesn't seem to effect accuracy. I can alleviate it slightly by seating the bullets real gently and carefully, most of them then come out pretty straight.

 

[788Ham]

Are the "hardcast" bullets the ones causing the problem? Have they been sized when lubed? Possibly this is the problem, just asking!

 

[winchester1886]

I had it happen to me more with the Lee dies than with the Lyman dies. I thank the Lyman M expander die was a big help.

 

[Craigman]

I think I'm going to just have to live with it. I even noticed it now on my 500s&w nickel cases. Not as noticeable though. Seems to be somewhat acceptable from what I've read so far.

 

[JoeDaddy]

+1 on the lyman m die. It's cheap and helps with centering the bullet. Follow that with the redding competition seating die (not cheap) and you will have almost pure perfection. I had the same issue with 45 acp rounds and this was how I fixed it.