Trouble with reloading 30-06 rounds - crushed shoulder and neck

[max384]

Wow, thanks for all the quick replies.

He might have to readjust the die, he might not have the "crimp" feature set correctly.

I am using a three die set. It is the pacesetter set: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=520790

There is a full length sizer/decapper, bullet seating die, and crimper die. I have not used the crimper die yet, so I can rule that problem out.

Also, the neck and shoulders are crushed in the bullet seating die, not the sizer... Although I am about 99% sure the problem lies in the FL sizer because the inner diameter of the case necks are only .303" and the bullets are .308."

Did you really mean "carbide" dies? To my knowledge, Lee does not make a carbide sizing die for .30-06 cases (though their Deluxe set claims that no lube is needed. Is carbide used there?).

I thought they were carbide dies, but now that I went back I cannot see anywhere on the packaging or dies where it says carbide, so I may have misspoken. Anyhow, the link is posted above to the set I have.

Please do reread your die's instructions for the proper setup. Dies do look simple. However, they require proper setup in order to function properly. I am certain that you will realize great results once you have reviewed the instructions.

I have read, reread, and triple-checked my settings and they are right on the money. I'm definitely stumped.

[max384]

Oh, and I do use case lube during resizing.

[bogey1]

looks like over crimping to me. i did that with my .50bmg, it doesn't take much to over crimp.

[max384]

Originally Posted by bogey1

looks like over crimping to me. i did that with my .50bmg, it doesn't take much to over crimp.

I haven't put it into the crimping die yet. It has only gone through the FL resizer die and seating die.

[bogey1]

Originally Posted by max384

I haven't put it into the crimping die yet. It has only gone through the FL resizer die and seating die.

are you sure the seating die doesnt have the crimping built in? my seating die also crimps the round after it seats it.

[max384]

Definitely not. The crimping die is separate.

[Flash]

Originally Posted by max384

I haven't put it into the crimping die yet. It has only gone through the FL resizer die and seating die.

First, your inside case-mouth chamfer should only DEBURR the case mouth and does not need to become too much of a beveled funnel.

Second, most bullet-seating dies also have a roll-crimp function built in.



Next, try this for setting your bulet seating and crimp die:

Without putting any die (yet) into the press, insert an empty, length-trimmed case into the press.

Run the ram to the full up position.

Then, thread in the bullet-seating die (but back out the bullet-seating stem to its furthest limit) and run the die down until it contacts the case firmly - you will feel a significant resistance there.

Back the die out one-half turn, and then insert a case charged with powder and a bullet set in the mouth. Run the ram to its furthest upward position. Turn the bullet-seating stem in until it contacts the bullet.

Then, lower the ram, turn the bullet seating stem in about two or three turns and run the ram upward to its limit. This will begin to seat the bullet. Lower the ram and inspect the result. At this point, the bullet should be firmly started into the case, but not at its final position by maybe a quarter of an inch or so.

Then, turn the bullet-seating stem in incrementally, and raise the ram, thus further seating the bullet. Inspect for depth/OAL. Repeat until you have reached the desired overall-length for the finished cartridge. (Or, until the mouth of the case - if you are using callelured bullets - is about halfway over the cannelure).

Then, you will have achieved optimal bullet seating depth. At this point, you are ready for the crimp.

If you are using a die that creates the crimp while seating the bullet follow this paragraph.
Back off the bullet seating stem about six or seven turns. Raise the ram and cartridge to full height. Run the die in until the crimp-shoulder contacts the case-mouth, lower the ram, and turn the case in another one-half of a turn. Now lock the die in place with the lock-nut or knurled locking ring. This will give you the normal crimp for most bullets, but may have to be adjusted slightly in either direction depending on depth of cannelure, hardness of bullet-jacket, and a number of other factors. While the ram and the finished cartridge are still at top-stroke, run the bullet-seating stem down until it makes firm contact with the nose of the bullet, and lock that into place, too. This completes the setting, and the next cartridge may be run in and the bullet will be seated and the crimp applied at the same time.

However, if you choose to use LEE's collet-type crimp, you need to ignore only the one preceeding paragraph and follow the instructions with the collet-die for setting that. (Yes, I have one or two, but I have never used them. I'm an old codger, and old habits persist, even in the face of new and improved processes and equipment. I can't bear to recklessly tear myself away from years of success. There's a name for that, but it should never be used in polite company.)

Flash

[Gunny1969]

Lee's website has a wealth of info on it:

FAQ:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/faq/index.cgi

Help Videos:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cata...eos/video.html

Downloadable Instructions:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cata...uct/index.html

Or maybe just give them a call 262-673-3075.

[Computer Steve]

Let me take a stab at it... I had it happen to me with .308 and a Lee set.

The Lee dies are not as long as some of the other dies. That means you have the die cranked down too far but the seating portion not far down enough.

Do ALMOST what Flash said but change this around as follows:

Remove the die from the press.

Insert a trimmed/deburred empty case and raise the ram on the press.

Now, with the Lee die in your hand, screw the seater dial almost all the way down on the die. This would be the deepest depth setting the die can do. Back it out about a half-turn just so its not bottomed out.

Now place a bullet on your empty case and start to tighten the Lee die down until you make contact.

Lower the ram and lower the die some more into the press.

Now see how far it seats the bullet. Keep lowering the die until you reach the seating depth you need. Keep the seater plug to its deepest/near deepest setting.

This had me stumped as well. Lee dies on a Dillon press will do the same thing to the case shoulder.

To confirm this... remove the seater plug entirely and just ram a shell up there and watch what happens. That's how I figured it out and set my plug to the bottom, raised the die, and all is now well.

[Farbmeister]

Originally Posted by max384

Definitely not. The crimping die is separate.

You have not read the directions have you????

The bullet seater HAS A CRIMPER BUILT IN. You have a separate factory crimper, but you also have a standard, run of the mill bullet seater with a taper crimp on it.

READ THE DIRECTIONS FOR BOTH THE BULLET SEATER AND FACTORY CRIMP.

You are missing the part the explains if you want to crimp in another step, back the bullet seater out like 3-4 turns.

READ THE DIRECTIONS. Do you see a pattern forming?