Small Base Die making black ring on brass?

[BCP]

I got a small base 308 rcbs die awhile back and just got around to using it today and I've found that it makes a black ring on the base of the brass. Any ideas? It's not a grease mark, almost like a burn. I'm using lube and it doesn't feel like they are getting stuck in the die or anything.

 

[winxp_man]

Re: Small Base Die making black ring on brass?

Might be a dirty die. Try cleaning it before use and see what happens.

 

[BCP]

Re: Small Base Die making black ring on brass?

K, I'll give that a try. Another thing I found is that the seating die makes a faint circular mark on the bullet, any ideas on that? It's about halfway up the bullet, never seen that one either.

 

[winxp_man]

Re: Small Base Die making black ring on brass?

Mine does does the same. From what would be logical is the seating cup inside is not perfectly smooth. Thus the pressure that is created when the bullet is seated makes this ring appear on the bullet.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Small Base Die making black ring on brass?

But you didn't mention, does the brass cycle in your rifle...? Usually small base dies indicate cycle problems with regular size dies.