My MK II compact loves the 140 gr Speer. Also the 140 Hornady interlock. They group the same, impact the same and run the same velocity with the same charge of IMR 4350. I've found that the speer can be spun or pushed inside the case so I checked them with my micrometer. Base is .263 while the rest of the bearing surface is .2625. The widest part at the base and that's below the neck so I'm assuming when I seat the bullet it's expanding the neck and the tension is now weak. The Hornady's are .263 the entire surface. Has anyone noticed this and will a factory crimp help. I could stick with Hornady but I have 150 of the Speer. Thanks.
.264 speer hot core
- Thread starter Wigwam
- Start date
Help Support Ruger Forum:
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
I am sure the Lee Factory Crimp Die would help that situation. I use it on my 308 bullets with and without a crimp groove and they aren't going anywhere.
Luckyducker
Single-Sixer
If you are not getting enough neck tension to hold bullets in the necks either you have a mis-sized die or the brass is too hard to spring back. I have never had to use a crimp to hold bullets in place even in my AR15.
The speer bullets are undersized. Just loaded some nosler partitions and they are fine. The speers seat much easier also. Too bad I'm using up my nosler 140s for reduced practice loads. My little ruger won't group under 2.5 in at 100 with them. I'll just stick with Hornady. Now I know why the speers were on sale. If I want to ever hunt with the speer I'll factory crimp them otherwise they're cheap for practice.
since you are good at measuring you might measure the expander ball in your sizer die. You could polish it down a half a thou or so to get more neck tension...just a suggestion. Expander balls are cheap so get a spare for when you go too far...
That's a good idea. I normally partial resize and adjust die to give the neck just enough grip on the bullet unless it's a hard recoiling rifle which I haven't loaded for in years. I adjusted die and found it has to size the 260 brass down to the shoulder junction to grip the speer bullets.
I think the problem is solved.
I think the problem is solved.
