Thread: Maker Mucking About

Well I tried loading some 62gr up for my 223.
Turns out i must have a dud batch. A bunch of them have a rough finish and when seated in the case are loose and will spin easily in the neck, but they wont pull back out.
I mic'd them and it shows they are 0.001" wider at the base (top of boattail) than at their seated point.




When i checked seating depth i had grabbed a "good one". When seating on powder the first was good, the next 5 were duds. I felt them drop past the neck and then go loose. Pretty fckn disappointed as i was wanting to go shoot them.
I tried removing a lee collet neck die mandrel and squishing them tight, bit no luck.

Dunno what thats about. Sounds random. When I collected mine from Ammo Direct they were counted out of a large bulk lot of maybe a thousand or so and they all look good (100).

Originally Posted by Roarless20

Well I tried loading some 62gr up for my 223.
Turns out i must have a dud batch. A bunch of them have a rough finish and when seated in the case are loose and will spin easily in the neck, but they wont pull back out.
I mic'd them and it shows they are 0.001" wider at the base (top of boattail) than at their seated point.

Attachment 269352
Attachment 269353

When i checked seating depth i had grabbed a "good one". When seating on powder the first was good, the next 5 were duds. I felt them drop past the neck and then go loose. Pretty fckn disappointed as i was wanting to go shoot them.
I tried removing a lee collet neck die mandrel and squishing them tight, bit no luck.

You should see the vids on making Hammers.*They put a lot of effort into them. Never had a dud Barnes. I was awaiting the shipment in to try 110gr 308 but might look askance now about quality issues.

So Ive got 2 lots. 50 I mentioned that came out of a bulk lot that I collected, and 50 that were posted to me. Ive measured several from each lot and they are consistently .223 at your (Roarless20's) measuring points.
Ive hand loaded about 40 of these and never had a problem with the bullets being loose. OAL 2.309" Mixed FL sized brass.

They shoot about .75" consistently (several 3 and 4 shot groups over time). 25grns BM2

It seems about half are duds. I can feel the machining rings on the duds with my finger nail, with a pronounced lip at the boatail.
The good pills are smooth like an other brand projectiles.

Originally Posted by Roarless20

It seems about half are duds. I can feel the machining rings on the duds with my finger nail, with a pronounced lip at the boatail.
The good pills are smooth like an other brand projectiles.

Get in touch with the supplier you got them from. If anything they will want to know about the problem.

I cant understand how such a small amount in variance can make a difference. I wouldn't think the little machining edge at the base (the odd one of mine have it) will effect anything (its a soft gliding metal), and mine are the same measurement under the ogive as Roarless's and are quite tight in the case neck.

Not doubting Roarless at all, just wondering if there is another reason for the loose projectiles?

I have spoken with supplier and will return them so they an see the problem and they will refund me.

@Tahr of 50 prep'd cases all done the same at same time. Amp annealed and sized, 40 got 75gr eldm all mint, some (5) maker were good, other 5 were crap. I even resized the neck to about 0.020" under size and the dud projectiles still ended up loose.
On inspecting the packet of 50 projectiles 25 are duds. The only issue going on are the projectiles.

Originally Posted by Roarless20

I have spoken with supplier and will return them so they an see the problem and they will refund me.

@Tahr of 50 prep'd cases all done the same at same time. Amp annealed and sized, 40 got 75gr eldm all mint, some (5) maker were good, other 5 were crap. I even resized the neck to about 0.020" under size and the dud projectiles still ended up loose.
On inspecting the packet of 50 projectiles 25 are duds. The only issue going on are the projectiles.

Thats a bugger. I loaded 20 today and did have 2 that would revolve in the mouth but not pull out. I gave them another firmer bump in the seating die and it resolved, but not good. Cases are new and neck turned.
Doesn't instil confidence, eh.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Thats a bugger. I loaded 20 today and did have 2 that would revolve in the mouth but not pull out. I gave them another firmer bump in the seating die and it resolved, but not good. Cases are new and neck turned.
Doesn't instil confidence, eh.

Thats a bugger you've got some duds too. Let them (supplier) know also, that way they dont think it was just my one off few. I'm sure Maker will sort them out with replacement stock.