Thread: Any one seating bullets using a graphite powder?

Originally Posted by zimmer

In general I load ammo a couple of days b4 I intend firing it. I have no old ammo so no pone tial for sticking. I did however dig out some 10 year old 223 reloads recently and fire those. Velocities and accuracy were as per expected.

I have experimented with lubing either the inside of the neck or the projectile bearing surface. This mainly came about due to what ultrasonic cleaning (long since scrapped) did to the inside of the case necks. I experienced very erratic seating pressures as measured on my K&M press. Once fired and the residual coating inside the neck was re established seating went back to normal.

I used the graphite and shot method. Also experimented with making a solution of moly and isopropyl alcohol and painting that inside the neck.

Since stopping ultrasonic cleaning I have also stopped lubing. I will however have further plays. AMP with the development of their hydraulic seating press have been doing some work on lubing. Will catch up with them at some stage.

Some top shooters ie Yank F Class are anal about projectiles sticking in necks. They seat long and then reseat to correct depth the night b4 their matches. Although this is not just about sticking it is also to compensate for throat wear over long running matches.
A mate started doing the same technique and said on some rounds when reseating there was a noticeable "click" when moving the projectile. I don't think this was welding though as the ammo just wasn't old enough.

I have heard that the ultra sonic can can away some of that good carbon on the inside of the neck. That amp press is very impressive, for those of us that was fund limited a arbor press with a gauge is sufficient. I have watched some f class reloading stuff on youtube and they are are on another level when it comes to precision. i have noticed that click when reseating projectiles.