flat base rifle bullets

[nova512]

as some of you mite know i am pretty new to reloading. well, i got my first taste of some soft point 55 gr flat base 223 bullets. they absolutely suck imo to reload.but i still had fun doing it. which brings me to a question is there a trick to reloading these little demons?

 

[42769vette]

no trick that im aware of

 

[BeeRian]

If you mean its difficult to seat the bullet...I found using a pair of needle nose pliers helps to bell the case mouth enough to seat the bullet to run it into the bullet seating die without it falling off or crushing the case mouth.

 

[johntheplinker]

Try putting a little bit of a chamfer on the inside of the case mouth. A couple of places sell a little doo-dad to it, but you can use a sharp pocket knife to try a few and see if it works.

 

[1$Chuck]

yeah, you need something like this to chamfer the inside of the neck. Still, you have to hold on the bullet and until you get it into the seating die.

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Reloading :: Metallic Reloading :: Tools & Gauges :: Case Care :: Chamfer Deburr Tool 1 Each

 

[Slow Hand]

Yep an inside/outside case mouth deburring tool is a great investment. I think mine's a Wilson, but I know RCBS sells a similar one. i use it for removing militay primer crimps as well. Another thing you may want to try, especially if you ever plan to load cast bullets is a Lee universal case mouth flaring tool. It's got two sizes of inserts and you can adjust it to put the slightest of flares on your case. Not normally done with bottle necked rifle cases but it may be worht it to avoid damaging your bullt's bases.

Doug K

 

[billybob44]

^^^+1

yeah, you need something like this to chamfer the inside of the neck. Still, you have to hold on the bullet and until you get it into the seating die.

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Reloading :: Metallic Reloading :: Tools & Gauges :: Case Care :: Chamfer Deburr Tool 1 Each

You will also need this/similar tool when you get into trimming brass. Must have after the trim on the inside+outside of the trimmed case. Bill.

 

[nova512]

i have the deburring tool guess ill go after the inside more.

 

[Leo]

I used to reload flat base cast bullets in rifles, mostly 30/30, 45/70 and 30-06. Some were plain base, some were gas check type. There is a die made for this use. It kisses the case mouth and puts a little bit of bell on it, like the second die of a pistol set. Mine were made by Lyman. Nothing wrong with a flat based bullet, if you look at ballistics charts, they really do not give up much to a boat tail inside of 350 yards. Flat based bullets will also generally shoot better in a worn out barrel. good luck

 

[rimfire_crazed]

+1 for chamfering the inside/outside of case mouth. My Savage really prefers flat based bullets to boat tails. No problems seating them when the case is chamfered properly.

 

[mdemetz]

Lee makes a Universal Expander for rifle brass. It is meant for cast and coated bullets. Around $12