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TheBig1 Offline OP
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I have learned how to measure my lands. In doing so I've learned that I should begin by seating my bullets at .005 off of the lands.

I am finding it difficult to get my seating die to seat the same death on bullet after bullet. When I measure the olive I measure an approximate range of +/- .004.

Would I be better served by gettIng a micrometer seating die?

If so, which one? Of course money is always a factor. I also see that each manufacturer sells about 5-10 different versions of their micrometer seating die which makes things even more confusing.

I am a perfectironist, if my teacher tells me that my bullet should be .005 off the lands then me measuring between .003 to .010 off the lands is unacceptable to me.

I do not use match brass or bullets so given that information is this something that I'm just going to have to deal with?

Chad

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I suspect that most of the variability you're seeing is in the bullets.
All seating stems engage the bullet below the tip so unless the bullets are extremely consistent (from a single die) they won't measure the same at the tip.
A bullet comparator may give you the info you're looking for.
link here




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He's already measuring to the olive.



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Chad,

As colodog noted, there is quite a bit if difference in OAL in most bullets (MY OCD calls +- .003 "quite a bit") and you must accurately measure from that part of the bullet where the shank begins, requiring a bullet comparator such as the Hornady in conjunction with an overall length gauge such as this one;
LINK,
and using a specially modified case for your caliber of choice, such as this one;
LINK .

As to a micrometer seating die, the only ones I have used are Forster's Benchrest Seaters and they work really well for me.
LINK

Ed


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TheBig1 Offline OP
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Thanks fellas. I am using the Hornady comparators. I think that the variance is in the bullets themselves.

I'm guessing that the only way to get each bullet precisely perfect is with match bullets. Correct me if I'm wrong of course.

I also use a homemade modified case to measure my lands so I'm good on that also.

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The other question is, Does it matter for the shooting you do?

Use your comparator to segregate your bullets by length and test to see if perfect bullets group better than random lengths from the same box.

I've only bought one micrometer seating die for a 6mmBR and although it works as advertised with precision bullets, I would have done better to focus on my shooting skills and precision rifle rests.

Your needs may be far different than mine, good luck!

Last edited by colodog; 07/09/16. Reason: add comment

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TheBig1 Offline OP
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That's great advice Dog, perhaps I'm being too much of a perfectionist when it comes to this. I'm simply developing loads for sub 300 yard coyote hunting, not competition.

You're right, I didn't think about it, there are other areas for me to start other than purchasing a micrometer seating die. I can measure and segregate bullets of similar dimensions.

Again, I guess that I'm just putting too much thought into this. Perhaps I should consider a level of moderate perfection to be my standard. Do the best with what you have.

Chad

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I might be missing something.... but if you want to get your bullets closest to the lands... I satisfy that for MY needs ( your's may be different)... by making a dummy round.

barely seat a bullet into an empty unprimed case... put it in the chamber and then ran it home with the bolt...

that precisely shows where the bullet is touching the lands.

then I adjust my die down to contact the bullet from the dummy round.. lift the ram and turn the die down ever so slightly....

Hillbilly mechanics but it seems to work pretty well for my needs...its like fitting a shoe to your foot, or hand to a glove.

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Quote
I satisfy that for MY needs ( your's may be different)... by making a dummy round.

barely seat a bullet into an empty unprimed case... put it in the chamber and then ran it home with the bolt...


I make a case for each rifle that I load for by sawing the neck on one side, down to the shoulder. You can then adjust the tension on the bullet, easy. It stays with the dies. I have done them with a hacksaw and with a dremmel tool. miles


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TheBig1 Offline OP
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Miles, that's what my mentor did for me with a case.

Seafire, that's exactly what I do with that case.

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Your die set may need the seating plug altered to hit the bullet on the ogive. Often the plug will hit the tip and the tip varies considerably from bullet to bullet.

There is nothing sacred with 0.005" off the lands. The "sweet spot" will vary from rifle to rifle and even bullets of identical weight but different brands. I have rifles that shoot best with the bullets as much as 0.115" off the lands. Most of mine do best between 0.020" and 0.050" off.


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TheBig1 Offline OP
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Thanks Scott, I appreciate it.


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