I have been loading for a number of years 32H&R thru 45LC. Each time I try to use bullets (Nosler,Sierra,Speer,Remington,Winchester) with alot of exposed lead no matter which seating plug (round nose or SWC) it changes the profile of the ogive. I now stay away from these bullet types and either load SWC or Plated or XTP's where there is no damage to the ogive. Any one out there have similar problems and have you found a fix other than having the die manufacture make you up something special? I'm using RCBS, Lyman,Lee, and Hornady dies and have the same problem with all of them. I would rather not be limited to so few bullet types.
seating plug problems
- Thread starter 41manor44
- Start date
J Miller
Blackhawk
I use a SWC punch that has a very shallow shoulder and a large flat area. It's Lyman I think. Just pushes the bullets in without reshaping them.
Of course if you use a really tight neck tension, then even the flat punches will flatten out the bullet noses.
That's one good thing about Hornady XTP HPs. No exposed lead.
Joee
Of course if you use a really tight neck tension, then even the flat punches will flatten out the bullet noses.
That's one good thing about Hornady XTP HPs. No exposed lead.
Joee
flatgate
Hawkeye
I use "hard cast" bullets in my .32's, .44's and .45's. No troubles with seating bullets and I use "tight neck tension" and a "killer crimp". The vast majority of my loads are very high loading density (not much if any room between the powder column and the seated bullet). WW-296 is my powder of choice.
Works for me.
flatgate
Works for me.
flatgate
There in lies my problem, I use heavy neck tention. I like using lead but hate the 2 hr clean up per gun after each session. I have moved to alot of Berry's and Rainier plated bullets and no nose change with the SWC plug. I like to shoot cheap and shoot alot.J Miller said:
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
I have heard of making form fitting seating plugs using JB Weld but that would only work for one type of bullet unless you got several plugs and made-up a seating plug for each different bullet. 
...Jimbo
...Jimbo
Dale53
Blackhawk
41manor44;
>>>I like using lead but hate the 2 hr clean up per gun after each session. <<<
I have shot probably 200,000 home cast lead bullets. I clean my revolvers every 300-500 rounds whether they need it or not. I typically run just under a 100 rounds a session when practicing (which is nearly constant - two to three range sessions a week during spring, summer, and fall and a bit less in the winter).
It MAY take me as long as 10 minutes to clean up a revolver. I get absolutely NO leading in any of my several autos and revolvers. My most used caliber is .45 ACP/Auto Rim but I load and shoot from .32 through .38/.357, 44 Special/Magnum, and .45 ACP/Colt. I use NOTHING but home cast bullets.
If it takes you two hours to clean a revolver you are doing something wrong (not intending to be offensive). If a revolver is set up properly and you are using cast bullets of the right dimensions there should be NO leading and the clean up should be simple.
Dale53
>>>I like using lead but hate the 2 hr clean up per gun after each session. <<<
I have shot probably 200,000 home cast lead bullets. I clean my revolvers every 300-500 rounds whether they need it or not. I typically run just under a 100 rounds a session when practicing (which is nearly constant - two to three range sessions a week during spring, summer, and fall and a bit less in the winter).
It MAY take me as long as 10 minutes to clean up a revolver. I get absolutely NO leading in any of my several autos and revolvers. My most used caliber is .45 ACP/Auto Rim but I load and shoot from .32 through .38/.357, 44 Special/Magnum, and .45 ACP/Colt. I use NOTHING but home cast bullets.
If it takes you two hours to clean a revolver you are doing something wrong (not intending to be offensive). If a revolver is set up properly and you are using cast bullets of the right dimensions there should be NO leading and the clean up should be simple.
Dale53
J Miller
Blackhawk
41manor44,
I don't know what you are shooting lead bullet wise, but cast or swaged lead ammo does not have to be filthy. Much of the residue that remains from shooting lead is bullet lube. The most filthiest combination I have ever used is RCBS Rifle Lube with Unique.
Gads what a sticky greasy gunk that leaves behind.
I changed lubes, problem gone.
If you're having trouble with leading then more than likely it's the bullet "fit" to the throats that's causing the trouble.
Also bevel based bullets are notorious for exacerbating leading. Especially if they are hard cast and undersized for the throats.
Lots of things to explore before giving up on lead bullets.
The other thing I do with jacketed bullets when they have lots of exposed lead is use a seating plug that presses on the brass part of the bullet below the exposed lead. Might leave a mark but it don't squash the lead.
Joe
I don't know what you are shooting lead bullet wise, but cast or swaged lead ammo does not have to be filthy. Much of the residue that remains from shooting lead is bullet lube. The most filthiest combination I have ever used is RCBS Rifle Lube with Unique.
Gads what a sticky greasy gunk that leaves behind.
I changed lubes, problem gone.
If you're having trouble with leading then more than likely it's the bullet "fit" to the throats that's causing the trouble.
Also bevel based bullets are notorious for exacerbating leading. Especially if they are hard cast and undersized for the throats.
Lots of things to explore before giving up on lead bullets.
The other thing I do with jacketed bullets when they have lots of exposed lead is use a seating plug that presses on the brass part of the bullet below the exposed lead. Might leave a mark but it don't squash the lead.
Joe
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