Shaving lead while seating bullet.

[Dusty Miller]

While seating some 454 cast bullets today I noticed that I was shaving off just a little bit of lead with each bullet I seated.  So, I belled the case mouth some more until my bullet would go in beyond the gas check.  However, a little bit of lead was still being shaved off.  I'm wondering if this is a real problem or am I sweating the small stuff.

[Mikey]

You may have to bell the mouth of the case a bit more.  I had the same problem with cast bullets in the 444 Marlin, another straight case cartridge, and thought I had belled the case mouth enough - truth is I needed more of a bell and once i did that the problems I had of shaving lead - even off gas checked bullets - disappeared.

Also, you will find your accuracy improves when you don't shave lead when you seat the bullets.  If you are concerned about too much bell, you  should look for split cases at the mouth.  If they don't split you are still good to go.  You may have to turn your seating stem way down to get the bullet properly seated to your desired depth before trying to take the bell out of the case mouth.  Then, if you do not have a taper crimp die you may wish to use your sizing die (without the decapping pin in it) to taper crimp or just further reduce the case mouth bell .  I did that with my 444s as I was afraid I had too much bell on the case mouth to move the case into the seating die without catching the case mouth on the edge of the seating die and crush the case.  After the initial seating either use a taper crimp die or your sizing die and you should get a uniform crimp with every case, and enhanced accuracy and powder detonation as well.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Questor]

Are these new cases? I get the same problem when loading 44 magnum cast bullets in new cases. After they are once-fired, the problem goes away for me. I haven't had any apparent problems with this minor shaving. In my case it really is minor.  It only happens on some cases, and I think it may be a problem with my not chamfering the case enough.  I also get this minor shaving of copper on new cases when I use jacketed bullets. Again, it's a very small quantity.  I think it also has to do with how squarely I place the bullet in the case.

[jackfish]

Lyman 'M' Die

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/dies.htm

[Graybeard]

Unless your bullets are grossly over size such as trying to use .458" rifle bullets in the .454 case you shouldn't get lead shaving with a properly belled case. So as suggested already I think you just need to bell the case more. When it is properly belled there should be no way for the case mouth edge to contact your bullets. Well unless you are letting them tip to one side really badly. That is one reason I like the Hornady bullet seater die so well. It has a sleeve that holds the bullet in straight alignment with case while seating it.

Many recommend seating and crimping in two different steps but I've not found it necessary. Some die sets come with four dies to allow this. I find no problem doing both in same step.

Shaving of lead isn't likely to affect accuracy at short ranges normally associated with straight wall handgun cases but if you like to plink at long range it might there. But any shaving especially if only on one side will unbalance the bullet.

[Rmouleart]

Also not mentioned is make sure to chamfer your cases, I personally cut to size, chamfer and debur before seating,seating and crimping are done in separate stages for me, this method makes it easy for the bullet to be seated and prevents marking the bullet. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

[calvon]

I had the same problem loading a 9mm Luger, a .357 Sig and a .40 S&W. The problem is that during the crimping process (in a standard seating die) the bullet is seated a little bit deeper into the case. The leading edge of the case scrapes off a bit of lead that shows up in a little ring just in front of the case. This ring of lead prevents the case from fully seating in the chamber.

I solved the problem with a Redding Taper Crimp Die. First I backed off the standard Seat and Crimp Die just enough that the crimp feature isn't engaged during seating. After seating thusly the case is then run through the Taper Crimp Die. No more lead ring; no more problems. It does mean you have to run your ammo through the press one more time, but I think it's worth it.

[Questor]

I found that when I belled the 44s more that the case mouths would start splitting after relatively few reloadings.  I have occasionally gotten the shaving with 45ACP in a Dillon press and it always seems to be attributable to how squarely I set the bullet in the case prior to seating the bullet with the press.  Starting the bullets properly is probably the root of my problem with 44 mag.

With bottleneck cases I've had the same problem, but I typically encounter it from the first round. In this case, the cause is that I have not chamfered the cases enough. I stop the process and do a better job of chamfering.

[Duffy]

I'm with Calvon and Jackfish.
The M die makes for a perfect flat based bell that doesnt tilt the bullet. Seating and crimping seperately helps too. It's a extra step but it can shrink groups.

[Leftoverdj]

I agree with the others, but there's one more thing to check. You may have a problem with your nose punch. The wrong nose punch or one with a lube buildup can be tilting your bullets as they are being seated. That will cause shaving.