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brass getting crushed during bullet seating

darth_ritis

money hater
Full Member
Minuteman
Supporter
  • Jun 19, 2013
    644
    195
    Frederick, CO
    I was trying to reload some 300 Blackout subsonic ammo last night. I had to stop after 3 rounds because the bullet seating die (from RCBS FL die set # 22401) started crushing the cartridge in the neck area. The deformation was uniform, almost like the shell was too long, so I don't think it was foreign matter. I had used the proper Lee case length trimmer to get proper length, verified with a Wilson headspace gauge. The die was set in the press as instructed: screw in until touching top of shell holder with press all the way up, then 1/8th turn more. The bullet seating plug screw was all the way out, and I was slowly turning it in and checking the O.A.L. of the rounds after each turn: I wasn't anywhere near the correct seating depth when this problem started.

    I gave up after trying a few die adjustments, now I have four or five bad rounds that I'll have to unload and toss the brass.

    What might I have done wrong? Could a brand new seating die have such a major problem internally? Could this once-fired brass be weak enough to cause this?
     
    Baad juju. Turn the seating die out one turn, then put a piece of brass in the shell holder and run it up. Turn the seating die down until you feel resistance, then back it off/out 1/4 turn and lock it. Then seat a bullet to your depth. Your seating die is presently adjusted too close and the case mouth is being pushed back, crushing the case.
     
    I think you may have read the instruction for the sizing die. The seating die you put in a case, push it to the top, then screw the die until it touches, then back it out a turn and lock. Ive crushed some before on a 7x57, just a learning experience

    If it does not work out let me know, you can borrow my Hornady die set 300BLK. Im in Firestone.
     
    Last edited:
    I think you may have read the instruction for the sizing die. The seating die you put in a case, push it to the top, then screw the die until it touches, then back it out a turn and lock. Ive crushed some before on a 7x57, just a learning experience

    If it does not work out let me know, you can borrow my Hornady die set 300BLK. Im in Firestone.

    We have a winner! OK, no more reloading in the wee hours of the morning, got it. And RTFM.

    Thanks for the offer, neighbor!