Ok, I just got started reloading. This is great fun. I set up my dillon 550 and began to load some 223 with dillon 3 die set. everything is working great, using 55 gr fmjbt. I switched to a 2 die set rcbs in 222 rem mag using 36 gr varmint grenade. this is a flat base bullet. I can only get 3 out of 4 to seat streight. I am ruining a lot of cases here. also, I have had to pull 2 stuck cases already out of the first 15. anyone else had a problem with the rcbs 2 die set? Thanks, Andrew

Are you chamfering the mouths of the .222 cases?

This is decidedly a MINORITY opinion, most folks love RCBS but I don't, AAMOF I've had more stuck cases with RCBS dies than all others combined. They are my last choice when buying new dies. Like I said, a minority opinion.

The suggestion to chamfer the inside of your case necks is a good one, IMO you need to do that.
Regards, Joe

I have several RCBS 2 dies sets from 22 hornet to 458 win mag and have never had a problem with straight bullet seating or stuck cases.

Chamfer the case mouths and lube the cases?

quote:

I can only get 3 out of 4 to seat streight. I am ruining a lot of cases here.

RCBS dies are usually okay but no better than any others of their general type (meaning except Forster and Redding comp types).

Your problem discription is more than a bit vague. I see "Why are my bullets not seating straight" and "I'm ruining a lot of cases" and that isn't much for us to go on. How crooked are the bullets seating and how does that 'ruin' your cases? (I doubt lubing your cases will make your bullets seat straighter.)

Chamfering the case mouths with a long-angle reamer will greatly assist the seating, and more lubing will keep the cases from sticking quite as bad.
Regards, Joe

Yes lube, just enough chamfer to get the burr off, the necks are basicly destroyed on seating, but I think this is from the lack of chamfer. However, I have lubed the cases the same as I lubed for the 223 with the dillon set(one shot) and I am about to go pull the second 222 rem mag stuck case. I just left it alone last night out of frustration. thanks for all the input. Andrew

long term answer is forster benchrest seating die

quote:

...greatly assist the seating, and more lubing will keep the cases from sticking quite as bad.

You have cases sticking in your seaters?

quote:

Originally posted by andrew1204:
Ok, I just got started reloading. This is great fun. I set up my dillon 550 and began to load some 223 with dillon 3 die set. everything is working great, using 55 gr fmjbt. I switched to a 2 die set rcbs in 222 rem mag using 36 gr varmint grenade. this is a flat base bullet. I can only get 3 out of 4 to seat streight. I am ruining a lot of cases here. also, I have had to pull 2 stuck cases already out of the first 15. anyone else had a problem with the rcbs 2 die set? Thanks, Andrew

I may be reading your question wrong, but from what I can gather, the stuck cases you are experiencing are in the bullet seating die. If this is the case, you should be aware that bullet seating dies are not screwed into the press until they meet the shell holder in the raised ram. You need to place a resized case in your shell holder and run the ram all the way to the top, then screw the bullet seating die in until it comes into contact with the resized case. At this point, you lock the locking ring on the die and proceed to seat your bullets. As others have mentioned, you need to champfer the case necks before attempting to seat flat base bullets.

If you screw your bullet seating die too far into the press, you will set back the shoulder of the case and cause other problems, including stuck cases.

J.D., I have stuck cases in my RCBS dies as well, but I have never done so where it was not my fault. I own over 100 sets of dies, and the vast majority of them are RCBS.

no, stuck in the sizing die. After thinking about what has happend, I may have not used enough lube(one shot), that would acccount for the stuck case. It is possible that the seater plug was set to low in the seating die causing it to force the bullet into the neck at an angle before the neck was fully into the seater die. I will only know after I get a replacement decapping pin because I broke it removing the case from the sizing die. I think I am on the up hill part of this learning curve! Thoughts? Andrew

Uuuhh, Do you have a manual for the Dillon? Have you read any books of instructions for reloading? To be quite frank, you questions seem to indicate that you've kinda jumped into the middle and plan on learning from your mistakes. Not a wise thing to do when you're building ammo.
Any of the load books will have a section on beginning reloading that you should read, several times. And it would have basic information on how to set up your dies and such. Dillon should have some tech reps online to help you.
I guess I'm old fashion but I still use a stamp pad and RCBS resizing lube on my cases and don't have a problem with stuck cases. Occassionaly I'll get an oil can or two around the neck when I've just relubed the pad but that's no biggy.

quote:

Originally posted by andrew1204:
no, stuck in the sizing die. After thinking about what has happend, I may have not used enough lube(one shot), that would acccount for the stuck case.

I spray from 3 sides to be sure to get enough lube, or else I use the lube pad. Top option for me is the Lee collet neck sizer but it isn't suitable for some loading that requires FL sizing.
Regards, Joe

quote:

Originally posted by andrew1204:
...lube(one shot), ...

I've never been real happy with the Case Lube Sprays. If you were using Imperial Sizing Die Wax that problem would not exist. However, make sure you "WAIT" for that (so-called) Spray Lube to Dry as (I think) it states in the Instructions.

Flat Base Bullets are a bit more difficult to get started into a Case than a Boat Tail. And the situation is made worse without Champerfing the Inside of the Case Neck.

You might also try using the Dillion as if it were a regular old Single Stage Press for your 222Rem Cases. Progressive Presses are nice for certain Cases, but they can also be a pain in the obummer.

Best of luck to you.

ONE SHOT IS JUNK (IMHO) plus you need to get all 4 sides of the case and wait a min before you use it not spray it on while the shell is in the shell plate and pull the handel

Imperial sizing wax or Dillon spray lube on a pad.

For all 1x fired cases out of another gun I FL size on a single stage press, when they come from my chamber I use a neck sizing die RCBS with a little imperial put INSIDE the case neck about every 5-7 cases W/Qtip.

Make sure you chamfer the cases before you put them in the press.

Preping the cases is were all the work is at not pulling the handle