Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 223 remington

Loaded some 55 ballistic tips book col says 2.260 my lee dies will seat to 2.280 ,can't adjust farther. Any tips appreciated.

Screw the body of the die further into the press? One full turn is .077".

You need to match the coal to the chamber in the rifle.

Tip #1: shoot them and see how they do before going all out OCD..

You may find by following this advice, the coal being long by the book is ok for your gun.
The shell holder is maybe thick or the die is long. Measure the shell holder and try a different one is easy. Send the die back explain why, it may be long. Or easy button there is take it to a machinist and knock some off it.

You may find by following this advice, the coal being long by the book is ok for your gun.
The shell holder is maybe thick or the die is long. Measure the shell holder and try a different one is easy. Send the die back explain why, it may be long. Or easy button there is take it to a machinist and knock some off it.

Well, the big question no one has asked yet is: Is 2.280" too long for your magazine(s)? If it is an AR and you are using typical mags it almost certainly is. (but there are other mag options)

The big question is: does he want longer or shorter COAL?

I assumed he wanted to decrease COAL since he mentioned book COAL of 2.260" and he was @ 2.280".

Yoda would say, "Clear and concise the question isn't".

Adjust the screw on top of the die?

Best answer so far....

I will play.

Read the die set-up instructions.

Another guy that doesn't have a clue where the lands are, when loading ammo. Magazine length is also a consideration, a lot of load manuals suggest the 2.260" OAL, if those bullets are intended to be shot in an AR type rifle. 2.280", is definitely going to be too long for that application. OP needs to read instructions on die set. OAL should definitely be adjustable. If not, throw die away, go on down to to wally world and pick up a set of RCBS FL dies. Problem solved, rather easily..

^^^^^^Correct Answer^^^

I load to factory length. If they shoot well, I’m good

Which factory?

Just by chance, did you accidentally use a 22-250 rem. seater die or some other die by mistake.. It is strange that you cant keep COL length . My Lee dies can send the bullet very far into the case if I want.

I load to make sure the round will fit in an AR magazine since there is a good chance it will end up there. I like to load out to 2.245". If the OP is having problems with getting cases down to 2.260 or less is his seating die screw too short ? Does he not use the auto crimp feature in most seating dies and leaves the die too high ?

OP, who makes your seating die ?

kwg

Great place to start! You are looking for two adjustments. Go too far with the 1st & you will be crushing cases. Bet you can find a youtube video if you are struggling with the instructions.

What are your intentions?

Lotta info here:

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/

Which ever factory load I happen to have at the time I begin loading for a new cartridge.

As others have stated, you need to determine your max COL and/or magazine length for whatever rifle you're loading for. However, as I understand your post, that's not the question you need help with. If you can't seat deeper then 2.280, then you either have a die issue, or more likely, you have a die set up issue. To set up the seating die, bring the ram (with the correct shell holder inserted) all the way to the top. Then, screw the die down to touch the shell holder and give it one additional turn downwards, Then lock the die lock ring down. Next, back the seating stem out several turns and start working on your seating depth. If the above method doesn't get you sorted out, you have a die issue.

I’m not sure about the Lee dies but you generally don’t want to touch the shell holder with the seating die base as you will either crush the case and or put a heavy crimp on the bullet. I use a 1/8” disk on top of my shell holder and extend the ram fully then screw the die down firmly touching the disk. With the coarse threads of the die you can hold the die tight and set the lock ring which keeps the die straight inline with the ram. I then adjust the seating depth to your desired length and I put the loaded round back in and raise the ram back to the top of the stroke. I lock the seating stem ring with the round in place at the top of the stroke which I believe helps with runout issues. I hope this makes sense and helps.