.223 77 TMK deforming during bullet seating

[murkyH2O]

I’m hoping someone can give me some advice on load development. After listening to many podcasts with Form explaining the terminal performance of .223 77 TMK, I tried making my own. I’m brand new to reloading. Unfortunately while seating the bullets, the bullet seater visibly deformed the projectile between the polymer tip and the neck. The deformation started near the low end of the range of powder weights I tested, and seemed to worsen as I got to the max charge, corresponding with an increase in tactile compression (“crunchiness”).

During test firing the chrono confirmed adequate consistency to determine my nodes. My concern is that the deformation of the bullet will negatively affect external and terminal ballistics. Could a different bullet seater fix my problem? Should I even worry about it?

I used Sierra .223 77 TMKs, IMR 4895 (22.0-24.7gr), Federal Premium AR Small Rifle Match primers, Lake City brass. OAL 2.260 to fit in AR mags. Lee Pacesetter 223 Rem die set.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

If your bullet seater insert doesn’t have a deep enough hollow it can contact the tip of pointy bullets. I don’t know if the Lee has replacements off hand but other brands do.

Are the case openings chamfered inside? If not at times there can be excess friction between the case mouth and the bullet trying to slide down into the case.

 

[Wrench]

How much neck tension are you running? Are you running clean brass?

You may need a vld seater.....but you could also be looking at too much tension, dry necks, powder crunch or neck burrs.

 

[mustelid_master]

Pics would be nice

 

[A382DWDZQ]

while seating the bullets, the bullet seater visibly deformed the projectile between the polymer tip and the neck

It sounds like your seater is having to apply too much force to seat the bullet. It should not take much pressure. Could be your brass needs annealed or prepped.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I’m hoping someone can give me some advice on load development. After listening to many podcasts with Form explaining the terminal performance of .223 77 TMK, I tried making my own. I’m brand new to reloading. Unfortunately while seating the bullets, the bullet seater visibly deformed the projectile between the polymer tip and the neck. The deformation started near the low end of the range of powder weights I tested, and seemed to worsen as I got to the max charge, corresponding with an increase in tactile compression (“crunchiness”).

During test firing the chrono confirmed adequate consistency to determine my nodes. My concern is that the deformation of the bullet will negatively affect external and terminal ballistics. Could a different bullet seater fix my problem? Should I even worry about it?

I used Sierra .223 77 TMKs, IMR 4895 (22.0-24.7gr), Federal Premium AR Small Rifle Match primers, Lake City brass. OAL 2.260 to fit in AR mags. Lee Pacesetter 223 Rem die set.

My 77 TMK’s get a small ring around them as well, even seated out king with no “crunch”. Necks are brushed and they seat easily, yet the ring is still there. I don’t worry about it. Doesn’t have any meaningful ballistic effects out to 700+ yards as far as I can tell.

 

[DiabeticKripple]

compressed loads with a tight neck can do that, id see if your tips are bottoming out in the seating stem and swapped for a VLD type stem if they are and try that.

Lube the bullets too if you want.

 

[xsn10s]

Like mentioned earlier you need a different seating stem which accommodates VLD bullets. Or lap your current seating stem.

 

[sveltri]

Mine did the same before I switched stems in my Hornady standard seating die. Since the swap no issues.

 

[Castle Rock]

The Lee seater needs modifications or swapping fo most tipped or pointed bullets, contact them for a vld insert

 

[mustelid_master]

Well, I spun up some 100 rounds of .223 with 77 TMK's today, and low and behold, I have the same issue, a small ring on the bullet. Will run them for bear season and see the effects or lack thereof.

 

[xsn10s]

Lee's seating stem I guess is actually a seating plug. This link have them make you a custom plug. Or just chuck the plug into a drill and put lapping compound and lap it with your TMK. I think I've done this with my Hornady, RCBS, or Redding seating stems by chucking a bullet in my drill lapping the seating stem.

CUSTOM BULLET SEAT PLUG

The Bullet Seater Plug that comes with the die set is as close to generic as we can make it. If you find that the bullet seater plug deforms the nose of the bullet you are trying to seat, we can make a custom bullet seater plug to fit your bullet.

leeprecision.com

 

[deer_hunter132]

Its the compressed load + std lee seating stem. They can custom make one for a reasonable price. I opted to just buy a frankford arsenal seater instead. No more issues. Now that lee has micrometer adjusters cheap, it could be a toss up.