Bullet seating problem

john carr

I loaned out my .357 RCBS dies over the winter and now have trouble with the seating. It is a three die set. I am using brass PMC (?) cases and 125 grain half jacket soft points. Occasionally, (four out of fifty) I just loaded, collapses, for the want of a better word, the case about half way down leaving an indentation circling the case almost like a cannelure. These warped cases can be inserted into the cylinder with just a little thumb pressure but look terrible. Has anyone had this trouble?

v35

Your friend readjusted the seating plug and/or crimper die.
They both have to be adjusted every time they are used in another press.
You are apparently partially collapsing the cases.
If the crimp looks ok then start backing out the seating stem until you get the correct overall measurement.

fergusonmorse392

Your problem is most likely case length. Before loading the next batch check all your cases with a case length gage or dial-caliper. You will find the ones that are over the max length. Trim them and your problem will go away.

1KYDSTR

If it's a 3-die set is one of the dies not a case mouth flairer? You could try readjusting it a little deeper and then readjust you seating/crimping die a little deeper and that might work too!

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perry shooter

The outside "BODY" of the die is screwed to far into the press . Turn the die body out and the seating plug in to get right OAL then slowly turn the die into the press until you get slight crimp.

john carr

Thanks guys, I am loading another fifty today, will try all your suggestions. One of them will have to work. John