GregInAtl Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I bought a new 650 about 6 weeks ago. I've had a 550b for about 5 yrs now. I can't seem to get consistent OAL's on my 650 (well I have this problem on my 550 too). On most of the rounds, the OAL vary by about .005 to .006. I've a few that vary by .010. Is this anything to be concerned about or am I just being too picky. And yes, the headstamp on the brass is mixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Very common - no real problem for action sports. Have you tried to separate the brass (even after you've already loaded them) and see if that improves your OAL's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeinctown Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 What bullets are you loading? In addition to what Jack says, bulet coatings will cause the OAl to vary. Using lube on the brass also helps decrease the variance as the press is running smoother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregInAtl Posted September 20, 2017 Author Share Posted September 20, 2017 6 minutes ago, mikeinctown said: What bullets are you loading? In addition to what Jack says, bulet coatings will cause the OAl to vary. Using lube on the brass also helps decrease the variance as the press is running smoother. They are 230gr RN 45acp, plated. I got them from Extreme Bullet Co. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dillon Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Your variations are well within tolerances. As far as the machine goes, adjust the seat die with a fired case in station 1, so you have the same upward pressure on the toolhead during setup that you do when progressively reloading. Beyond that, the remaining variation is from one bullet to the next. This is only ammunition, so don't expect .000" variation in reloading components. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David.Hylton Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 My ammo generally runs +/- .005. I haven't had any issues. It is only about the thickness of a human hair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al503 Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Measure only those rounds that are made when all of the stations are full. Having stations empty can be a cause of some variance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHitchcock Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 (edited) Getting a clamped tool head helped with OAL variation, but as previously stated: Full shell plate vs partially empty will have effects on OAL . Also mixed brass and bullet consistency have effects on OAL. If you are only getting .005 extreme spread on mixed brass I wouldn't sweat it, just make sure that the highest end will still fit your barrel. Edited September 21, 2017 by MHitchcock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregInAtl Posted September 21, 2017 Author Share Posted September 21, 2017 6 hours ago, MHitchcock said: Getting a clamped tool head helped with OAL variation What do you mean by clamped tool head? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCTaylor Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 (edited) variance is normal, just live with it or tinker till you die trying to get variance to zero. Take some time to measure your bullets too. I'd wager a weeks pay that bullet (projectile) overall length varies a good bit. Do as the others said, make sure everything fits your gun and go shoot. Clamped Tool head - See UniqueTek Toolhead Edited September 21, 2017 by SCTaylor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 17 minutes ago, SCTaylor said: variance is normal, just live with it or tinker till you die trying to get variance to zero. Take some time to measure your bullets too. I'd wager a weeks pay that bullet (projectile) overall length varies a good bit. Do as the others said, make sure everything fits your gun and go shoot. Clamped Tool head - See UniqueTek Toolhead Tinker till you die! That's funny but true in this case. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgh Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 1 hour ago, SCTaylor said: just live with it or tinker till you die trying to get variance to zero. Funny! Everybody gets variance in OAL. Don't worry about the variance you have as long as everything chambers OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregInAtl Posted September 21, 2017 Author Share Posted September 21, 2017 Just now, lgh said: Funny! Everybody gets variance in OAL. Don't worry about the variance you have as long as everything chambers OK. Yeah, I know. My degree is in mathematics, so it bugs me when things aren't exact. Glad to here I'm not doing something wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IHAVEGAS Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Redding micrometer adjust seating die was not good for my oal variability (coated bullets) called Redding and they said a lot of folks remove the spring for lead bullets. Need to try it again but am now using the Dillon die. On my 1050, the lock ring set down as far as possible, while still allowing free movement, gives me the most consistent oal (about + - .003-004 now, a smidge more than twice that with the ring set looser). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsauerfan Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 for me .010 variance is too much. this press is able of much better. i get .003 variance with mixed headstamp. bullet profile VS seating die is the factor that can mess with consistent coal. as example, my dillon seater doesn't like zeros 9mm 147 JHP...seems like the hollow point '''petals''' are so sharp then hooking on the insert edge . then i get .010 spread and sometimes more. back with RN's or FMJ's the consistency get back to .003 variance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregInAtl Posted September 21, 2017 Author Share Posted September 21, 2017 (edited) 25 minutes ago, sigsauerfan said: for me .010 variance is too much. this press is able of much better. i get .003 variance with mixed headstamp. bullet profile VS seating die is the factor that can mess with consistent coal. as example, my dillon seater doesn't like zeros 9mm 147 JHP...seems like the hollow point '''petals''' are so sharp then hooking on the insert edge . then i get .010 spread and sometimes more. back with RN's or FMJ's the consistency get back to .003 variance. For some of mine that differ by .010, the cases are only differ by .005, so I figure the difference is how deep the primer is seated in one vs. the other or the length of the bullets differ Edited September 21, 2017 by GregInAtl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgh Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 1 hour ago, GregInAtl said: My degree is in mathematics, so it bugs me when things aren't exact. PhD in Physical Organic Chem but I've learned to live with the burden of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
191138sc Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 On 9/20/2017 at 8:56 PM, David.Hylton said: My ammo generally runs +/- .005. I haven't had any issues. It is only about the thickness of a human hair. This has also been my experience. +/- .005. I attribute this to the number of times I have reloaded the brass. Anything under .005 gets pulled for fear of overpressure. Anything over .005 will still feed in my Trubor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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