my RCBS seater die is leaving a halo type ring on my bullets. I've tried to adust the stem but it just moves my depth, the ring still remains. Any ideas?
In order to help a little more information is needed. Caliber, bullet, etc. Usually when a ring is left around a bullet, a different seating plug is needed. Let's pretend this is a 30 caliber rifle round. Obviously, there is a difference in the bullet profile of a 200 grain round nose and a 150 grain spitzer. Most reloading dies come with a one size fits all seater plug that will leave rings with bullets that are a tight fit in the case throat and don't match the seater plug relief.
I have found that very little is lost in accuracy, velocity, or function with the rings. In my opinion, they are purely cosmetic.
If you desperately want to get rid of them, you will probably need to use a different seater plug or try deburring your case mouths a little more.
Ryan
Posts: 425 | Location: Minnesota, USA | Registered: 01 April 2001
Thanks for the inputs , these dies are for a 375 H&H, I've been loading some light 250gr. Sierra spirepoints in them. Round nose bullets seem to come out fine. Perhaps the seater plug is for a roundnose???
I have experienced exactly the same "problem" with my RCBS bullet seater die. I loaded Sierra 200 grains FN Pro Hunter and got the same halo as described above. I have no solution yet, but if you (and I) can stand the cosmetics, it is irrelevant.
Posts: 5 | Location: Scania - Sweden | Registered: 07 July 2003
quote:Originally posted by ricciardelli: Use the proper seating plug.
Succinctly put, and true. Cosmetic in my opinion, as above.
If they still do it, RCBS will do a custom plug if you send them a bullet, if they don't already offer a rerplacement to fit anyway. Didn't cost much, IIRC.
Another "quick and dirty" solution is to remove your seating plug, melt some candle wax into it, reinstall it and carefully seat a few bullets. The wax will displace and squeeze out as far as it has to to match the bullet tip, reducing deformity.
Posts: 588 | Location: Maryland | Registered: 08 April 2003
You are probably using the right seating plug. The problem is most likly being caused by a inadequate finish of the plug. A sharp edge on the area that makes contact with the bullet is usually the cause. I will usually chuck the plug in a drill, wrap 1500 grit emery paper around a bullet and use it to polish the area. Takes aboyt 10 min. total. Or you can send it back to RCBS along with a defaced bullet, and let them correct the condition. Good luck.
In 30 + years of reloading... This is what you normally get when you seat and crimp a HANDGUN bullet. As long as it does not effect chambering...don't wory about it.
Posts: 355 | Location: Roanoke, Virginia | Registered: 29 May 2003
I had the exact same "problem" with my RCBS seater die in .375. The problem diminished over time leading me to believe that it is just a sharp edge on the plug. You could remove the plug and polish it to get rid of the problem.
Posts: 93 | Location: san antonio, texas | Registered: 20 August 2002