LEE TL-356-124-TC seating die rounding top edge and OAL questions for Sig P226

[Siggy226]

Hello,

UPDATE: Edges are barely rounding now. It's been a week since I casted them. Looks like it hardened.

New here, been lurking about a month or so. The bullet diameter is 0.357" so it looks like it's right on the $$$. It looks like it's right on the $$$ too as for not needing to resize for P226.

I read some people here have good results but I can't seem to find the load data.

Major concern is, my Sig doesn't like it unless OAL is under 1.075". For good measure, it needs to be around 1.060" to be safe. I'm going to use W231 powder. What overall length you guys achieve with your Sigs? It's seating so deep compared to FMJ or plated. It's a little scary especially not having any load data to go against. I did a bunch of searches and only read one instance where someone goes down to 1.050". But I need more opinions, especially with same pistol and powder.

Another thing, I'm noticing that my Dillon XL650 is rounding the edge of the truncated cone. Is this normal/acceptable? The seating die only has two choices for bullet shape, flat or cone. It's set to cone now but if I change it to flat, the seating die mashes the flat top and leaves a raised circle on top.

Pictures attached:

Thanks!

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy63/photooverlord/b6.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy63/photooverlord/b5-1.jpg

[Phat Man Mike]

looks like it's putting a heavy crimp on it!!! :shock:

[Siggy226]

I don't think I am. 1/4 twist on Lee FCD. Diameter is 0.380".

[Ricochet]

Seating depth looks right compared to what fits in my Taurus and Star. Just about to the top of the top band.

[Phat Man Mike]

Another thing, I'm noticing that my Dillon XL650 is rounding the edge of the truncated cone. Is this normal/acceptable? The seating die only has two choices for bullet shape, flat or cone. It's set to cone now but if I change it to flat, the seating die mashes the flat top and leaves a raised circle on top.


are you using a dillon press or a lee? :confused:

[Siggy226]

I'm using Dillion press with Dillon dies except for the crimp, which is Lee FCD.

[putteral]

My Sig P6 likes them seated at 1.07. I use Lee dies and have not had that problem with the nose. Have you tied expanding the case a little more for less resistance?

[TRshootem]

My M&P Pro 9 with 4.3 grains of AutoComp is shooting into 1.3 for 5 shots @ 25 yards(rested). Loaded on a 550, the bullet has a slight ring visible. Sized to .356 and seated @ 1.090. I like the bullet/mold but less thrilled with tumbling(messy). On a side note, Autocomp is very accurate with LTL 175 SWC in my P229. Happy loading:)

[Siggy226]

Great!

putteral: I think I belled the case enough. More than I actually want to. It looks like my lead bullets are still too soft. I water quenched a whole bunch and they don't get messed up as much with the seating die. Also, what powder charge are you using?

I ran some more dummies through the P226 barrel. 1.060, 1.070, 1.080, 1.090. At 1.090 there is some resistance. 1.080, likely just touching rifling. So, 1.070 seems good. I made a batch of 10 dummies at 1.072-3. I did it quite fast and not sure what happened, but one came out at 1.077. So I guess I'll seat at 1.070 first.

FWIW, my cartridge guage is no good with this mold (bullets drop somewhere between 0.357-8). I have to use my barrel. It's a hassle but no pain no gain. LOL

[TRshootem]

Forgot to mention the LTL 124 TC mold (6-cav) works very well and also casts at .357. I will try them unsized next, this usually makes for very accurate bullets but more lead issues. The hardness is at about 14 BHN, air cooled.

[putteral]

My favorite load for them is 5.5 grs of AA #5. 4grs of Titegroup is not bad either. Get virtually no leading sized at .356. I also have the 6 cavity mold. I also water drop mine.

[TRshootem]

putteral: I also like #5 a bunch. With this bullet, I started @ 4.8 gr. #5 and it shot very tight. My bullets are casting at 128-130 gr., so I tried 5.0 #5. Any idea what the speed of your load is. Looking at some data, me thinks I will try your load, #5 seems to like being closer to the max. It is my favorite .45 acp powder. 3.6 gr. of Titegroup gave me keyholes at 25 yd as did 3.9 of 231. Looks like I need to push a little harder and bring a NEW battery for the Chrony.

Happy shootin'

[Siggy226]

I just casted 43lbs worth of 9mm bullets in this blue tub. :) That's about 2300 bullets at around 130gns each.

I got really really good at it. I could do this all day long. Now the hard part is find proper accurate recipe and not foul my barrel with lead.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy63/photooverlord/b8.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy63/photooverlord/b9.jpg

[Mallard57]

Looks like you've got enough to figure it though!!!!! :smile:
Jeff

[yodar]

I'm using Dillion press with Dillon dies except for the crimp, which is Lee FCD.

I filled the hole with hot melt glue and pressed it onto a perfect bullet and let it harden...It stayed for a while and WORKED but tahellwiddit, my target doesn't see the blem

yodar

[Ricochet]

I filled the hole with hot melt glue and pressed it onto a perfect bullet and let it harden...It stayed for a while and WORKED
I've done that with silicone caulking. I've got a seating die or two with that stuff in the nose plug that's worked for years. Lots of rifle dies come set up for spitzers, and I hate the ring deformation they make around the nose of a blunt boolit. The stuff's not too hard to dig out if I want to use spitzers again.

[lwknight]

Call Dillon Although there are other sources to buy seater plugs, Dillon has people that know their stuff and will understand what you want. Seater plugs are cheap and universal (except Lee) and there are all styles made.
If you have Lee dies, refere to previous posts.