Where to source different bullet seating stems?

[Mean_Man]

This is no where near acceptable… 169gr SMK on the left, 174gr ELD-VT on the right.

My guess is the seating stem has to narrow of a “cup” for the nose of the bullet? What’s the best way to resolve this? I have heard you can get different stems for different bullet profiles?

 

[loveha]

Depends who the seating die is from. Hornady is one who offers stems for various profiles. Unlike RCBS who does not offer stems, and wants your stem and several bullets plus fee.

Or a drill, diamond lapping paste and some bullets and hone it yourself. I chuck the bullets and hold the stem. If you have a lathe even better.

 

[straightshooter1]

View attachment 8718668
This is no where near acceptable… 169gr SMK on the left, 174gr ELD-VT on the right.

My guess is the seating stem has to narrow of a “cup” for the nose of the bullet? What’s the best way to resolve this? I have heard you can get different stems for different bullet profiles?

You experiencing quite a bit of pressure when seating those bullets (which might not be felt when using presses like Forster's Co Ax)?

What I did to elevate any ring from the seating process is to spin a bullet coated with some polishing compound into the seating stem, using an electric drill. I no longer have this issue, even when seating is firmer than it should be. This is the compound I used:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072JR2B6K?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

 

[Baron23]

View attachment 8718668
This is no where near acceptable… 169gr SMK on the left, 174gr ELD-VT on the right.

My guess is the seating stem has to narrow of a “cup” for the nose of the bullet? What’s the best way to resolve this? I have heard you can get different stems for different bullet profiles?

Redding also makes VLD stems.

What die are you using?

 

[loveha]

I bought mine in separate tubes of 500, 800, 1200 grit. Wish they had 300.

 

[Mean_Man]

Redding also makes VLD stems.

What die are you using?

After my Lyman die got a stuck case and was damaged trying to get it out, I just got a Lee seating die. (.308) luckily I have two as they were so um affordable. So I’ll remove the stem from the second one and see what I can do with some lapping compound. I have a lathe but… it’s a cobbled together old make shift thing, works fairly well but I have to change pillows to adjust speed, and need some more tooling for anything serious.

 

[MarshallDodge]

That's a lot of neck tension. Is this for a semi auto?

The seater is only making contact in that small area. As stated, you can lap it, or try a dab of JB Weld with a release agent on the bullet. Leave the bullet in the seater until the JB Weld cures. That's how a good friend fixed this issue.

 

[Mean_Man]

CORRECTION: it’s an old Lyman die.

 

[Mean_Man]

That's a lot of neck tension. Is this for a semi auto?

The seater is only making contact in that small area. As stated, you can lap it, or try a dab of JB Weld with a release agent on the bullet. Leave the bullet in the seater until the JB Weld cures. That's how a good friend fixed this issue.

No, it’s for a bolt action.

 

[MarshallDodge]

No, it’s for a bolt action.

You don't need that much neck tension for a bolt action. Your expander ball may be worn or too small. Confirm that with Lyman.

You could also use a separate mandrel die to set neck tension.

 

[padom]

What is your sized case neck diameter? What is your loaded neck diameter. Looks like excessive neck tension which is pretty common with big box store dies to work with all different types of brass....

 

[Mean_Man]

What is your sized case neck diameter? What is your loaded neck diameter. Looks like excessive neck tension which is pretty common with big box store dies to work with all different types of brass....

I’ll measure and post it up when I get a chance. I recently started weighing and sorting all components, and noticed the M118 brass is HEAVY. So that may have something to do with the neck tension being higher? Just more meat in the case shoulder and neck?

 

[MarshallDodge]

I’ll measure and post it up when I get a chance. I recently started weighing and sorting all components, and noticed the M118 brass is HEAVY. So that may have something to do with the neck tension being higher? Just more meat in the case shoulder and neck?

It could have thicker brass in neck area.

Another thing is that everytime you fire brass it gets harder which can affect neck tension.

 

[Mean_Man]

It could have thicker brass in neck area.

Another thing is that everytime you fire brass it gets harder which can affect neck tension.

I anneal every other firing. Propane torch, brass chucked in drill, held in flame for 8 seconds. Around 9 seconds you start to see orange show up in the flame… anyway don’t want to get into a debate about annealing just saying I anneal the shoulder & neck every other firing. VLD chamfer the inside of the case mouth.

I don’t lubricant the inside of the case mouth…mostly due to not having the graphite locally right this second but plan to eventually.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I anneal every other firing. Propane torch, brass chucked in drill, held in flame for 8 seconds. Around 9 seconds you start to see orange show up in the flame… anyway don’t want to get into a debate about annealing just saying I anneal the shoulder & neck every other firing. VLD chamfer the inside of the case mouth.

I don’t lubricant the inside of the case mouth…mostly due to not having the graphite locally right this second but plan to eventually.

No judgement from me, I anneal as well

One issue with annealing is that it removes all the carbon and makes the inside of the neck dry. This will increase seating pressure.

 

[straightshooter1]

I anneal every other firing. Propane torch, brass chucked in drill, held in flame for 8 seconds. Around 9 seconds you start to see orange show up in the flame… anyway don’t want to get into a debate about annealing just saying I anneal the shoulder & neck every other firing. VLD chamfer the inside of the case mouth.

I don’t lubricant the inside of the case mouth…mostly due to not having the graphite locally right this second but plan to eventually.

8 to 9 seconds sound just about right, IMHO

Are you getting consistent seating depth?

After annealing, that annealing process leaves an abrasive oxide coating on the surface that tends to affect seating consistency as well as bullet release. Since you're not using any lube on the inside, you might want to run a nylon bore brush through the necks to mitigate this issue. . . unless you're dry tumbling right after annealing???

 

[slm9s]

You can apply a small amount of JB weld (or similar) inside the cleaned seater stem and gently insert a bullet by hand to make a perfect fit. Cheap and works great.

 

[45-90]

Hornady ELD bullet, ....Hornady seating die wirh ELDM seating stem for eld bullets, should work pretty well, and probably for the SMK too.
If ya don't want to buy the die or the new die has somewhat of a problem then, to the lathe and polish the seating stem.
I start with fairly coarse carbide lapping compound, on the bullet with the seating stem in a lathe collet.

Then finish with a polishing compound
It shouldn't be off enough to grind a tiny boring bar that matches the bullet profileI, then lapp if that's the case.
I seat 54 grs of stick behind the 174 gr eld VT bullet using this method in hybrid cases for 3139 fps...it's a compressed load.