Reloading .300 Win Mag (I can spin the bullet in the case after seating, how do I correct this?)

[USMC88-93]

.300 Win Mag
New never fired Remington brass
Lee Deluxe die set. (Used the full length re-sizer and not the neck sizer die as these are new cases)
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme press.
Barnes 150gr TTSX
Primed the cases on the press.

When I seat the bullet I can both spin the bullet within the case and with a little pressure can push the bullet in (only within the first groove in the bullet).

Used a Lee Factory crimp die to crimp and when I crimp fully the round will not spin but it leaves me with what appears to be an excessive crimp mark. (Not enough experience there to judge however)

I thought the neck tension of the case without the crimp shouldn't allow me to move the bullet without excessive force.

Would there be some mistake in the set up of the re-sizer die that would cause this or is some movement of the bullet normal til crimped

These are my first "unsupervised" rounds (no external help from knowledgeable friends) and I am slightly concerned that I missed something that caused it.

I do not have a micrometer to check the size of the expander ball on the Lee dies but elsewhere was told that this was a likely cause. So I will have to scrounge up a micrometer or go buy one to check this possibility.

[Sixgun]

What is your OAL on your bullet?

[sniper7]

some of those look like they have too much of a crimp.

OAL might be a factor, but they look good from the photos.

try using the neck sizer die on one and see how it comes own. try not to crimp so much also

[USMC88-93]

What is your OAL on your bullet?

Varies as they are measured from tip and not the ogive but the great majority are between 3.318 and 3.322 with some varying outside that range. Seating depth was determined to be able to crimp at top half of the last grove on the side of the bullet.

The Barnes book I have says Min is 3.280 to max of 3.340 so I am well within the published normal range. In the long run I will have to determine the best seating depth for my individual rifle but baby steps first.

[USMC88-93]

try not to crimp so much also

The excessive crimp was intentional to see if that was the cause of being able to rotate the bullets within the case. I am aware of how excessive they look and never before had I had to crimp so much to feel the bullets were secure. The crimp will be corrected when I solve the primary issue.

[Sixgun]

Do you have any factory loaded ammo? Check it's OAL. I think they are seated to deep.

[Sixgun]

I'm only saying that because it would make sense, for the bullet to turn like that.

[Sixgun]

Try seating them out alittle farther to see if they spin.
Do you have any spent shells?
If you do take the shell and the bullet, get your gun.
Put the bullet in the shell by hand. chamber the round in your gun. Take out bullet and measure OAL.

[Graves]

Sixguns right. Looks like you went in a tad too far. Looks like the crimp is right in the cannelure.

[<MADDOG>]

OAL and crimp are two different functions of the die. You may have the seat to low, and the die too high.

Practice with a dummy round. Screw the bullet seat up quite a bit, and then tighten down the die till you get the preferred neck tightness. Once you get that, then screw the bullet seater to your desired OAL