Ring on bullet ogive when seating. .223/5.56

[Sven]

With soft point or hollow point bullets, I end up with a ring, apparently where the seating die makes contact with the bullet. I get this when using Dillon dies, and just now switched to Hornady - same thing. Don't get the ring with FMJ. Pictured is Midway/Dogtown 55gr soft point. I get the same thing with Hornady 68 GR jhp. Any suggestions?

 

[BB57]

It's more common on soft points as the jacket is often thinner. It also happens almost exclusively with flat based bullets that are harder to start into the case.

As for preventing it:

1. Make sure the case mouth is properly chamfered. That reduces the pressure needed to seat the bullet.

2. Consider a different plug in the seating die. You don't want to be pressing on the soft lead point as it will deform, but some seating plugs have a more gradual taper and won't produce the ring.

3. When 1 and 2 are not options or don't prevent it, try a dry lube on the base of the bullet or in case mouth.

4. You could also try a larger expander ball, but that's problematic as it reduces neck tension and that can cause set back if you shoot them in a semi auto, or even a not so smooth feeding bolt action.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Number 4 above! It looks like your neck is too tight. When I load soft or HP's there is often a very mild line from the stem mouth, I used valve lapping compound and "Recrowned" the stem mouth.

I use 77 Berger Hybred and 75 A-Max on my 1000 yard 223 loads, with the Recrownd stem there is no line or distortion of any kind. (and no loss of BC!)

Ivan

 

[smithra_66]

Also make sure your necks are annealed. If they are work hardened it will be harder and harder to seat the bullets.

You can "glass bed" your seater too. Run a bullet with release agent on it into the seating die with epoxy on the stem. This will fill in the voids (Just like glass bedding a rifle) and it will allow a perfect fit of the seater to your particular bullet.

 

[elpac3]

Had that issue with my .222 when using Hornady bullets. talked with Hornady and they suggested changing seating stems. As per their advice, changed seating stems and the problem went away

One of the reasons may be the bullet ogive. Some makers are using a secant ogive while other bullets are the tangent ogive style. Solution is to change the seating stem to match the ogive shape.

From a shootability standpoint, the ring is pretty much cosmetic and should not really affect bullet accuracy.

 

[Sven]

I certainly welcome more discussion. I think I'll call Hornady to see what other seating stems are available, expander ball, too as far as that goes. I might try the lapping compound on my Dillon seating die. I was wondering if that would work.

 

[elpac3]

Here is what I experienced with Hornady bullets and their recommendation to change seating stems which resolved the issue

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Reloading die manufacturers frequently offer a variety of seating stems for different bullet types and profiles. Retailers may have a variety on hand, or you can contact the die manufacturer.

Probably most commonly seen in handgun calibers (my RCBS die set for .38/.357 has grown to 5 seating stems for wadcutters, SWC, RN, JHP, etc). Same in .44/.44Mag and several others.

I also have a selection of seating stems for .30 caliber rifles, in which I shoot a wide variety of cast and jacketed bullets. The stems are frequently interchangeable among several different dies, not much more than a cup-shaped stud on a threaded shaft with a locking nut.

Another possibility can be found with the Lyman M-die case neck expander unit. These allow very precise expansion of the case neck with a second step to flare the case mouth opening to start the bullets more easily. I started using these decades ago, first for cast bullets, then switching over for jacketed as well because of the precision possible and far less strain on the case mouths than dragging over the expander ball commonly used in factory die sets. Many of my die sets have the expander ball removed completely and I do the neck expansion as a separate operation. This takes a little more time, but I have a batch of .30-06 brass (FA-35) that I have reloaded over 50 times now.

 

[Pisgah]

When I have encountered his I have cured it by placing a small ball of aluminum foil in to the end of the seating stem. When a bullet next enters the die, the foil is pushed in to the stem and conforms itself perfectly to the bullet ogive, and this eliminates the deformation of the bullet.

When you're finished with that load, you can pick the foil out of the seating stem and everything's as it was.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

View attachment 563643

Here is what I experienced with Hornady bullets and their recommendation to change seating stems which resolved the issue

Now, THAT'S a ring!

IMHO, the OP's was very minor, and, as elpac3 pointed out, shouldn't affect accuracy. But the stem suggestions are certainly valid.

Cheers!

P.S. I see the same thing on certain plated RN 9mm bullets, mainly.

 

[The Preacher]

Just take some emery paper to the inside edge of your bullet seater plug and knock off the edge.

The Preacher

 

[rosewood]

Maybe slightly flaring the case mouth will ease the seating on flat base bullets.

Rosewood

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

Also make sure your necks are annealed. If they are work hardened it will be harder and harder to seat the bullets.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^
Had the same problem with my 6 Creedmoor and any match bullets. Annealing cured the problem. Softer brass in the neck expands much easier

 

[smithra_66]

When I have encountered his I have cured it by placing a small ball of aluminum foil in to the end of the seating stem. When a bullet next enters the die, the foil is pushed in to the stem and conforms itself perfectly to the bullet ogive, and this eliminates the deformation of the bullet.

When you're finished with that load, you can pick the foil out of the seating stem and everything's as it was.

That's interesting. I wonder if you get variations in seating depth with this method?

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Variations in seating depth: well, I would imagine from one plug to the next...?

But, that's what your calipers are for!

Cheers!