Using Bushing dies, as Bullet seaters

J

Jim D

Member
I've been using neck bushing dies to do a final bullet seat .

Yesterday, I used my 17 Fireball, Neck bushing die, with the appropriate bushing, to do a final seat on my 204 R ammo.
What I like about this method, is, the base to ogive of my reloads, is very accurate. I can use this same set up, regardless of the bullets I choose to seat.
Getting a more consistent measurement, compared to the seating dies, in the die sets, that make contact at very near the tip.

I realize that this may not be required, on say Berger bullets, but for those of us, using the run of the mill bullets, I hope to see an improvement at the range, as soon as I can get out there.
Any Thoughts ?

Jim
 
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John VM said:
Maybe explain what dies you are using and how you are adjusting seating depth
Click to expand...
For seating bullets for my 204 R, I first do a partial seat, with a regular 204R Seating die. This aligns the bullet, in the case.

Since the 17 FB bushing neck die, is a shorter die, I first remove the decapping rod, on my RCBS bushing die, and I simply install a bushing.
In my test, I used a .194 bushing. There are several bushings, that would work, in the .17 cal. range.
A17 FB, RCBS FL Bushing die, might work also.
Place a case, with a partially seated bullet in the shell holder, of your press, and raise the ram.
Adjust the bushing die until it makes contact, with the bullet. Keep screwing down the die, until the bullet is seated to the desired depth.

There are several other combinations that will work. You just need to experiment.

I think by just using the right size bushing ? A die from the same caliber would work. A 223 Neck bushing die, for a 223.

I've been searching for years, for a seating stem, that would contact the bullet, near the ogive.
Playing around in my reloading room, I came up with the idea.
It worked without marring the bullet.

Jim

PS. I forgot to mention, I used an RCBS Bushing die, with the Decapping rod removed.
 
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Spent some more time at the reloading bench, playing with my bushing dies, as seaters.
Both Bushing dies from RCBS and Redding work, with decapping rods removed.
I just used the Redding 223 Neck bushing die, to seat 223 bullets in 223.
Worked fine.
A Full length bushing die, should work, as the case does not go all the way into the die.

Jim
I
 
I remember this was discussed in a previous thread so I queried it and it was @Jim D original post back in 2021.

I find this intriguing since I too have thought this might work with the benefits Jim stated. However I erroneously thought, without inspection, that the bushing shelf would not have clearance with a bullet in the neck.

Gonna have to try this.....thanks Jim D.
 
Ricco1949 said:
I remember this was discussed in a previous thread so I queried it and it was @Jim D original post back in 2021.

I find this intriguing since I too have thought this might work with the benefits Jim stated. However I erroneously thought, without inspection, that the bushing shelf would not have clearance with a bullet in the neck.

Gonna have to try this.....thanks Jim D.
Click to expand...
It works.
When I first tried this? I thought it needed more experimenting.
So far it's worked with 204R, 223, in my own testing.
I'll be loading some 17 FB, and that is my next test.
I don't see why it won't work with others.

Jim
 
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