Thread: Loose projectile

When setting up neck tension, Lee collect neck die, I use a boat tailed projectile, I want the shell to only just hold on to the projectile. Even when FLS bumping the shoulder, I still use the Lee collect neck die as it improves the concentricity. Also cleanout the case necks with battery drill & nylon brush, if not cleaning the shells. If you are push projectiles too far in that's a different story.

Originally Posted by dannyb

He's got shit tonnes of room in his mag, have already discussed how he can check his maximum seating depth with a projectile seated way out then lubed.....close bolt on it then open quickly but carefully etc.
When all this snow pisses off I think I'll pop out for a visit if the wee fit man will have me

felt pen the projectile seated long,open n shut bolt half dozen times and will see rifling marks works too.....

Thanks everyone, some clarification now that I'm back indoors from making a quick pen for the newborn lambs to get them and mum out of the snow. .

I went out to the shed battling wind, snow and everything else (well not wind) to check everything.

So I have Lee dies and they are neck size dies
and I got confused its the seating die that I do actually move up until the shell holder until it touches the die and not the shell itself (that is done with the sizing die)



This is a finished product along with a blank projectile .

I set them up as the recommended setting for the calibre .

This the youtube video that I looked to set up my dies initially https://youtu.be/lKosnBtBlIs.

When the weather clears up and you have time @dannyb I will be more than happy to host you for a day/afternoon/morning or whatever suits. I am dropping Fridays at work from September 1st so will have a bit more time on my hands.

Greetings All,
I think dannyb has nailed it. The projectiles are seated too deep and the neck can't get a good grip on the projectile. Also seating the FL size die hard down on the shell holder often over sizes the case producing head separations after as little as 3 loads. You will also likely see flattened or rivetted primers even with normal pressures. I know the die makers recommend setting up the die this way but I believe it is bad advice. The case should be sized only enough to chamber freely and no more.
Regards Grandpamac.

yip too deep. grab a factory load that works...use that to set up your seating die,it will touch projectile somewhere along the curvy bit/oglive and will touch new projectile in SIMILAR place...if you put projectile alongside case like you have in photo...base of projectile should be base of neck...near enough...or i diameter inside mouth..not down into body.I will measure a few 22-250 loads and post what they are overall...got a few diferent types so will be reasonable ballpark number.

60-62mm are what mine loaded too...50-55grnprojectiles. including some bergers I pulled and re did loads on as were seated too far out for my liking.

I measured 3 different factory loads and took an average which ended up as 59.4mm which is what I have set them to.

Greetings Again,
Posts crossed. The Lee collet neck sizing dies need to be set up as per their directions to ensure proper sizing. The problem here can be brass that is too hard. The brass then springs back more leaving the necks loose. This can happen after about three loads. To fix this the case necks need to be annealed.
Also congratulations on dropping Fridays at work. I assume this is part of a transition to retirement. If so I did this about 12 years ago, dropping to 3 days four years later and retired 2 years after that. Another 3 years doing contract work. I think I needed this and have not regretted it for a moment. My dearly beloved on the other hand did 40 hours one week and was retired the next week. I think it took her till morning tea time on the first Monday to make the adjustment. Each to their own.
Regards Grandpamac.

If it is the Lee Collect Neck Sizing Die you have, the instructions say touch the ram, plus 1 full turn more.

https://leeprecision.com/files/instruct/RM3512.pdf

I run mine at about 3/4 turn in from touching the ram.

Thanks @ebf that pdf is very useful

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

I measured 3 different factory loads and took an average which ended up as 59.4mm which is what I have set them to.

as Danny is trying to explain...your projectiles are more slim and pointy....so the skinny bit goes further to rear on the curvy bit...so they need to be seated less deeply.
if they fit in magazine longer...and dont touch rifling yet....PERFECT as the projectile has less of a spacewalk before engaging rifling .the rifle I have is older and has worn throat area,so seating longer works for me....the loads that came with it were gnats cock accurate BUT I didnt like the 3mm of projectile being all that was inside case,so seated them deeper...still accurate but minute of gnat now LOL.
when you measured factory loads you would be going overal length??? so your new pointy projectiles will be longer if you set up dies using those factory loads and then seat new pointy job....try it in an empty case and see.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

as Danny is trying to explain...your projectiles are more slim and pointy....so the skinny bit goes further to rear on the curvy bit...so they need to be seated less deeply.
if they fit in magazine longer...and dont touch rifling yet....PERFECT as the projectile has less of a spacewalk before engaging rifling .the rifle I have is older and has worn throat area,so seating longer works for me....the loads that came with it were gnats cock accurate BUT I didnt like the 3mm of projectile being all that was inside case,so seated them deeper...still accurate but minute of gnat now LOL.
when you measured factory loads you would be going overal length??? so your new pointy projectiles will be longer if you set up dies using those factory loads and then seat new pointy job....try it in an empty case and see.

I'll pay him a visit and bring my comparitors all will be very clear then

@Happy Jack Could you confirm what you posted earlier ie your die set is a neck die and a seating die. Or do you also have a full length sizing die? Is there also a collet die amongst things as well?

Just the neck die I think what is in the picture is all I have.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings Again,
Also congratulations on dropping Fridays at work. I assume this is part of a transition to retirement. If so I did this about 12 years ago, dropping to 3 days four years later and retired 2 years after that. Another 3 years doing contract work. I think I needed this and have not regretted it for a moment. My dearly beloved on the other hand did 40 hours one week and was retired the next week. I think it took her till morning tea time on the first Monday to make the adjustment. Each to their own.
Regards Grandpamac.

I'm lucky that at 54 my financial controller actually wants me to drop down to 4 days a week and if things go well 3 days same time next year but that remains to be seen, she is already part time anyway.

We have 10 acres to look after anyway at home with 2 steers, 4 sheep with now 6 lambs (we lost one to a hawk), 2 geese, 10 ducks, 6 banthams and 24 shaver chickens. 2 of the lambs are boys so will going in the freezer when big enough as will the steers.