I was given some Hornady FTX to try and I'm trying to figure out how to seat the bullets without damaging the tips. I'm sure there is a very simple answer, but all of the seating plugs I have will hit the tip before the sides hit the bullet. Is there a special die, or do you have to modify the seating plug?

There is a special type of drill called a Center Drill. What it does is drill a small diameter surrounded by a 60 degree chamfer. My solution for this issue was to purchase a spare seating die and then chuck it up in a Lathe and use a Center Drill to re-shape the seating tip. If you don't have access to a Machine Shop I would suggest calling RCBS and asking if they could modify a standard seating die in this fashion to sell one to you. BTW, IMO there is actually a need for dies of this nature for handgun bullets and if we start asking for them some maker will start producing them.

You can also modify a seating stem with a small ball of epoxy putty.
Clean/degrease the seating stem , apply wax or grease to the bullet (release agent), epoxy goes into nose cavity , press the bullet nose into the stem , let cure ....
Perfectly fitted , no tools , machine shop or die manufacturer custom work required .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Check with your die manufacturer first. I encountered same problem about 7 or 8 years ago while loading 300 Blackout with Hornady A-Max bullets.

I'm not sure which, but either Hornady or RCBS sent me a seating stem and all was good.

About 30 years ago I loaded two or three hundred 32-20 with 87 and 100 grain XTP bullets. I didn't do a thing to the standard stem, and the noses stayed just fine. I would recommend that you try one and see what happens. Why borrow trouble, if you don't have to?

If you are seating and crimping in one step, it is easiest to use a loaded round to adjust the die. However either way: Bach the seating steam out a few full turns. Insert a case in shell holder, run to the top of the ram, Then gently screw the die down onto the case. When you feel the case mouth just touch the crimping ring on the die stop. With the seating stem set too long insert a bullet and observe how far the cannelure is above the case mouth. Then adjust the seating stem so the cannelure is just barely touching the top of the case mouth. Now adjust the entire seating/crimp die down 1/2 turn (you just lowered everything 1/28 of an inch) You should be good or you may want the lower the die 1/8 to 1/4 turn, your choice. Now lock the die in place! you should be done.

People collapse their hollow points by the crimp being inserted while too much forward/downward motion remains.

Ivan

There are special FTX seating stems for at least RCBS and Redding dies.
I have loaded the .44 265gr FTX in 444 and 445 with them.
I am sure Hornady offers them as well seeing as how they are their bullets.
Otherwise they are a pain in the neck as you have seen.
I recommend getting the FTX seating stem from your die maker.
They also work for the regular Hornady 265 designed for the 444.

I gave up on the FTX as they are more trouble than they are worth IMHO especially in a lever rifle.
Hornady's solution of cutting the brass back leaves me cold.
I have loaded them in full length brass for use in my break action guns.
I don't think they offer much if any advantage over normal bullets at the velocities we are talking about.
Even at 2250 fps. they might add another 25 yards of point blank range.

Since you were given the bullets have fun with them but maybe start wondering if they are not a solution in search of a problem.
If anyone wants a box of the .44 265 FTX to experiment with PM me.
I could be convinced to part with them as I don't plan on loading many more, if any.
Hornady claims they are designed for 1300-2300 fps which is a pretty wide range.
In the 444 forum there were tales of them just zipping thru elk and not expanding properly.
Many 444 folks have gone to the heavy WFN bullets instead.
Veral Smith's bullet designs are almost universally acclaimed in the field.

Attached Images

Hornady265grain444loads.jpg (289.1 KB, 19 views)

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NEMO
"Everything 44"

You did not mention what caliber and what actual FTX bullet you have? There are rifle and handgun FTX bullets. What item # are they??. Some rifle brass needs to be trimmed to to allow the cannelure to line up.

I loaded FTX in my SW460 and used a regular Lee dies. No adaptation needed.

Attached Images

DSCF0175 (Large).jpg (122.2 KB, 11 views)

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Still Running Against the Wind

I use a Lee standard seating die as a separate step for all of my reloads, then crimp separately using a Lee carbide FCD or a LEE collet FCD depending on the type of reload.
Carbide for straight auto pistol cases and collet crimp for revolver and all bottlenecks.
For handgun hollow points I use a seating insert drilled and filled with JB weld (Not the quick setting stuff) using a sacrificial bullet with Johnson's wax as a release agent.

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I'm with her

Have you tried a stock seating die yet? Perhaps the gummy tip won't be damaged by the seating stem...

I’m using .357 bullets and my Lee seating die damages the tips a little. I have not tried any more dies. I have some Dillon and RCBS but thought I’d ask for opinions first