So I recently worked up a ladder load using CFE BLK and 225 grain ELD-M’s for my 8.3” AR 300blk. My load range was 10.5-11.5 grains of CFE BLK. When I chronographed the loads the 11.5 was the best with a very low spread and about 1050-1060 FPS. So I went to load some more today and noticed that the tips of my bullets were getting a ring formed in them from the seater die. I don’t remember this happening before but I think it was and I didn’t catch it because it only happened with 11.5 grains and not the lower ones. I think what is happening is the bullet is compressing the powder and causing the seater die to work much harder causing the damage. ‘
The other thing I noticed today is the seater wasn’t seating the bullets to 2.26” either, I had to crank it down a bit more. I thought I measured each and every bullet during my initial testing but I’m wondering if I stopped after a while and didn’t catch that the 11.5 grain loads were only seating to 2.275” because of the powder resistance. Anyway, I’ve heard that CFE BLK performs very well compressed and even though that wasn’t my initial intentions I think I like the results. I just want to know if it’s worth the damage to the bullet or if I should settle for a lower load or a new die that might not cause the damage. I clearly have some things to figure out to make sure I can seat the bullets consistency without fiddling with each one but 11.5 had the best spread and FPS range I was looking for. See pictures for chrono data and bullet damage - the bullet on the far right is one I didn’t put powder in and has no damage which lead me to discover it was the case volume causing the bullet issues.
The other thing I noticed today is the seater wasn’t seating the bullets to 2.26” either, I had to crank it down a bit more. I thought I measured each and every bullet during my initial testing but I’m wondering if I stopped after a while and didn’t catch that the 11.5 grain loads were only seating to 2.275” because of the powder resistance. Anyway, I’ve heard that CFE BLK performs very well compressed and even though that wasn’t my initial intentions I think I like the results. I just want to know if it’s worth the damage to the bullet or if I should settle for a lower load or a new die that might not cause the damage. I clearly have some things to figure out to make sure I can seat the bullets consistency without fiddling with each one but 11.5 had the best spread and FPS range I was looking for. See pictures for chrono data and bullet damage - the bullet on the far right is one I didn’t put powder in and has no damage which lead me to discover it was the case volume causing the bullet issues.