Bullet seating question

[APEXDUCK]

I thought I had my dies set right in my Dillon and now looking at the reloads I noticed the bullets are slightly deformed at the front edge. I tried backing off the bullet seat that screws in and out but if back it off it enough to not deform, it seems to not set the bullet deep enough. Do I need to back off the whole die a bit and then lower the seating stem? FYI, I'm loading 45 ACP with Hornady XTP bullets.

APEXDUCK

 

[Rclark]

Yes....

Proper procedure (well, my procedure!) :
1) run the seating stem deep into the die, so no crimping. Then run the die down to touch the bullet. Keep moving the die down until you have the correct COL on your first cartridge.
2) Run the seating stem all the way out. Now properly set the crimp the same same way. Ie. run die down until it touches the case. Then slowing make more turns until you feel it is properly crimped. .45 ACP won't need much.
3) Set the die at this point with the die lock ring. Run the cartridge back into the die. Now, run down the seating stem until it touches your bullet. Set the lock ring on the stem and you are done.

Hope that helps!

 

[WESHOOT2]

back off the whole die a bit and then lower the seating stem

Yes.

 

[PECKER]

Yes....

Proper procedure (well, my procedure!) :
1) run the seating stem deep into the die, so no crimping. Then run the die down to touch the bullet. Keep moving the die down until you have the correct COL on your first cartridge.
2) Run the seating stem all the way out. Now properly set the crimp the same same way. Ie. run die down until it touches the case. Then slowing make more turns until you feel it is properly crimped. .45 ACP won't need much.
3) Set the die at this point with the die lock ring. Run the cartridge back into the die. Now, run down the seating stem until it touches your bullet. Set the lock ring on the stem and you are done.

Hope that helps!

+1 by far the easiest way to set your die

 

[3leggeddog]

This set of instructions is very well written and is the BEST way to set up the seater/crimp die.
Can a Mod here make it a sticky???

 

[WIL TERRY]

Yes....

Proper procedure (well, my procedure!) :
1) run the seating stem deep into the die, so no crimping. Then run the die down to touch the bullet. Keep moving the die down until you have the correct COL on your first cartridge.
2) Run the seating stem all the way out. Now properly set the crimp the same same way. Ie. run die down until it touches the case. Then slowing make more turns until you feel it is properly crimped. .45 ACP won't need much.
3) Set the die at this point with the die lock ring. Run the cartridge back into the die. Now, run down the seating stem until it touches your bullet. Set the lock ring on the stem and you are done.

Hope that helps!

THIS is ever-so-slightly bassackwards but it'll work....

 

[Bucks Owin]

Perfect use for a case on it's way to the case graveyard due to splits, loose pocket etc is a seating dummy for every bullet/caliber you happen to load..... :wink:

 

[APEXDUCK]

Thanks folks for the help. I made the adjustment today (backed off the die almost one full turn) and checked for issues. Lowered the bullet seat stem and test loaded a bullet. PERFECT first time! Made sure everything was snug and reloaded 50 and checked them for OAL and dead on!

Thanks for the help. Easier to ask then keep guessing and having to bullets deformed or rounds that don't fit the chamber.

APEXDUCK

 

[APEXDUCK]

Thanks again for the help. I was able to test fire the loads today and both jacketed hollow point Hornady and copper washed SWC shot great and cycled well in both of my 1911 guns. Shot 39 rounds between the two guns, all but 5 in the 10 ring at 7 yard rapid fire target (dropped all 5 low, too much trigger finger). I will have to slow down and put the target out at 25 yards and see what I can do now. Not a bullseye pistol shooter, but fun to see how well I can group at that distance.

Thanks again for the help. For some reason my brain was not engaging when setting up the seating die from the start.

APEXDUCK