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Copper shavings from seating bullets

mlsheffield

Private
Minuteman
Jan 27, 2010
27
0
63
Madera, CA
I have been having this issue for quite a while now, all my bullets, being seated from multiple types of dies, produce slight copper shavings around the neck once I seat them. I expect this is fairly common since my cousin and uncle say the same thing, and we have reduced it by putting sizing lube lightly on the inside of the neck. But, does anyone have a way to eliminate this?
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

I had a couple of those and made sure to do a better job with the chamfer tool. May be different issue for you, but that was something I had happen.
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

Chamfer tool an how many times has this brass been fired? Possibly need to anneal. just my 2 cents.
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

Chamfer tool an how many times has this brass been fired? Possibly need to anneal. just my 2 cents.
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

Try a VLD chamfer. It helped me get rid of this problem.
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

Well that leads to another question, how much do you chamfer the case? Are we talking until the chamfer touches the outer edge of the neck? I usually hold it for a 4 count, gives it a noticeable angle but maybe half the thickness of the neck. If that makes sense.
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

Well that leads to another question, how much do you chamfer the case? Are we talking until the chamfer touches the outer edge of the neck? I usually hold it for a 4 count, gives it a noticeable angle but maybe half the thickness of the neck. If that makes sense.
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

I use a Giraud Trimmer every loading, and I only brush out the necks, not polish, I have never experienced copper being shaved off while seating, even before I got the Giraud, what tool are you using to chamfer the necks with, this must be your problem, as for lubing the inside of the neck my recommendation is to only use a dry lube, but its not required, or for that matter beneficial unless cleaning with SS media or US.
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

The cases get annealed every 4 firings, and it does help quite a bit, but not eliminate.

And I use a standard RCBS chamfer, Is there anything special/different about VLD?
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

Get a K&N case mouth reamer and set it up as per the directions that come with it. This is the best tool for chamfering the inside of the neck.
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

Thanks for the help guys, I'm going to give the VLD tool and chamfer the cases more a try for now.
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

One thing not mentioned here is how much neck tension do you have.
You should ".002" less at the case mouth than a loaded round after sizing.
Ssy if you're decapping with a univeral die, then Fl sizing with no expander ball, and decap pin, you'd be putting extreme neck tension on the bullet.
If you did the same with a bushing die, and no expander you'd be fine.
Just a thought no ones mentioned.
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

It sounds like to me a combination of not getting the necks chamfered well enough, and possibly too much neck tension. Mainly the case necks not getting chamfered well enough.
 
Re: Copper shavings from seating bullets

^^^Took the words out of my mouth. Also, I'd be careful about how much lube you put on the necks/bullets so that you don't contaminate the powder.