Help on damage to bullet while seating...

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mgd45X102 MONTHS
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Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/05/2016

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Ladies & Gentlemen,

So here's my problem......I'm trying to build a nice target load for my AR-15 using the Hornady 68 gr. BTHP. After my brass prepping in which I trimmed to a case length of 1.760" per the manual, I started the powder charge.

The low end using IMR 4895 is 22.6 grains per the Hornady Manual. Bullet was seated to the recommended C.O.L. of 2.250". So far.....so good.....

Once I reached a powder load of 24.0 grains, I started getting deformation marks from the bullet seating die near the tip. The high end on the powder charge is 24.9. Grains.

Am I to assume that I basically won't be able to load past 23.6 grains because then I'll have too much powder & I'll deform the tip??? WTH?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Chris

IMG_9757.JPG

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mgd45X102 MONTHS
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/05/2016

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Crap..... can't figure out how to post pics from my iPhone........ I'll try later....

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GhengisAhn175XFirst Sergeant
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/05/2016

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Are you crunching powder to begin with?

By deformation do you mean a nice uniform ring near the meplat

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BRU15XSergeant
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/05/2016

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Sounds like your load is too compressed. I had the same issue using Varget with the 77gr TMK. i ended up switching to 8208 XBR to avoid compressing the load so much that the bullet is damaged by the seating stem.

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mgd45X102 MONTHS
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/06/2016 Last edited 12/06/2016 by mgd45

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I can't really hear it crunching......but yes, it's a nice little circular ring crushed near the tip......

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mgd45X102 MONTHS
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/06/2016

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BRU15 wrote:

Sounds like your load is too compressed. I had the same issue using Varget with the 77gr TMK. i ended up switching to 8208 XBR to avoid compressing the load so much that the bullet is damaged by the seating stem.​

Awesome, thanks! I'll check around my local stores for this powder!

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brentmacXPrivate
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/06/2016

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My manuals show trim to length at 1.750"...

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BearTexXGunny Sergeant
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/06/2016

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That just tells you that you are using the wrong powder. I am working up a load on the IMR8208 XBR and it is looking really good. I would definitely try it.

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ptaylortxXSergeant
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/06/2016

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Too much neck tension. There's a void around the tip of many target hp bullets that collapse if too much pressure is applied with the seating plug. Either get a plug that is shaped to the type bullet you're using or use bushing dies to set the neck tension around 1 or 2 thou. Makes seating much easier and you'll probably see better SD's through your chrono.

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spawnof918vXFirst Sergeant
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/06/2016

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brentmac wrote:

My manuals show trim to length at 1.750"...​

But the chamber is 1.8"

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spawnof918vXFirst Sergeant
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/06/2016

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ptaylortx wrote:

Too much neck tension. There's a void around the tip of many target hp bullets that collapse if too much pressure is applied with the seating plug. Either get a plug that is shaped to the type bullet you're using or use bushing dies to set the neck tension around 1 or 2 thou. Makes seating much easier and you'll probably see better SD's through your chrono.​

No, it too much powder pushing up on the bullet.

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spawnof918vXFirst Sergeant
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/06/2016

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Mgd45

Try a longer drop tube and trickle it in slowly. It will settle better and give you more room for the bullet.

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mgd45X102 MONTHS
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/07/2016

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Thanks for the advice ya'll. I picked up a bottle of the IMR 8208 XR yesterday and was able to build up a load without crushing the tip.

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padom

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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/07/2016

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My book also states trim to length is 1.75" and is what I trim all my AR brass to. 1.76 is max

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alanvnXCorporal
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/07/2016

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I get same marks with same bullet using hornady seating die. Redding die leaves no marks.

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mgd45X102 MONTHS
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/08/2016

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alanvn wrote:
I get same marks with same bullet using hornady seating die. Redding die leaves no marks.​

I use an RCBS die......but I was wondering if other dies might perform better....

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spawnof918vXFirst Sergeant
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Re: Help on damage to bullet while seating...
12/08/2016

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But you have no idea what alanvn loads, how he drops, and how much he compresses.