Hi guys! I'm having a problem with Lee's "Dead Length Bullet Seating Die" in .223 Rem I just purchased. The shortest OAL I can manage with it is 2.260", and I'm needing 2.245" for accuracy. I've tried putting a shim behind the seating plug, but realized that makes no difference -- the plug bottoms out against the die, so the length isn't going to change.

The bullets I'm having problems with are 50gr Nosler Ballistic Tips; the Sierra 55gr are okay. I think the Noslers have the ogive further back. I'm measuring from the tip, not the ogive. The die is consistent, so I'd like to keep using it. It seems I need to find some way to get the cartridge closer into the die, like grinding down the shellholder or the end of the seating plug itself, and I'm not sure of the best way to do that with hand tools.

The rifle is an H&R which have very long throats, but for some reason mine prefers slightly shorter lengths.

Any suggestions?

I have the Lee dies for my Hornet . Seating die is an absolute POS and ruins the meplat on many projectiles . Have ordered a Redding .

Maybe you have the die body backed out to far?

I've tried the Lee Dead Length Seating Die for my new Hornet and have the same problem. Cannot not seat deep enough and seating depth varies .030 inch. Tried the die with different presses with no luck.

Joe A.

Try machining off .005 inches from the shellholder until you've cut off enough to have to screw the die and shellholder closer together. It should take no more than .015 inches. I had a similar problem with my 300WSM. I could not get the shoulder in the correct location to get the correct headspace until this was small amount of machining was done.

quote:

Originally posted by rootbeer:
Try machining off .005 inches from the shellholder until you've cut off enough to have to screw the die and shellholder closer together. It should take no more than .015 inches. I had a similar problem with my 300WSM. I could not get the shoulder in the correct location to get the correct headspace until this was small amount of machining was done.

Thanks; I figured this was going to be the simplest solution, plus I already have two shellholders. If all else fails, I'll look at an RCBS or Redding die.

LOL Almost the same problem with my 22-250. If I try to seat a couple of thousandths shorter by moving the die body down I start crushing cases.

While I've not had this problem, I've had other problems with Lee seater dies. They are not very good at ensuring the bullet is seated straight. Their other dies seem pretty good. I've tried Hornady and RCBS, and like them better (in that order).