22-250 seating/neck tension issue

Recently got into reloading and have loaded .223, .204, and .243 without issue. However when I try to load 22-250 I run into trouble. I’m loading on a Hornady lock n load ap press running it as a single stage. The brass for 22-250 is once fired Hornady and once fired Winchester, the problem I’m having is when I seat the bullet (50 Nosler BT) to the OAL of 2.350 the bullet is easily pushed into the case by hand. Have tried seating them out longer but didn’t make much of a difference. I have tried rcbs dies with and without the decapping rod and Hornady custom grade dies with and without decapping rod. Same issue either way I try to size them. Both are FL sizing dies. Have tried running the sizing die barely touching the shell holder to 1 full turn past so that the press cams over. Any ideas?

Measure the inside diameter of your brass and bullets, there should be at least .002 to .004 depending on cases difference between them. Report your findings here and we will further diagnose from there.

My first thought is how can two dies without the expander ball NOT size enough to hold a 22 caliber bullet....unless it’s not a 22 caliber bullet but maybe a .204?
So Kmon is correct measure and report back.

Yup. The diameter of those bullets is suspect, given the sizing die changes already made.

Will have to take measurements when I get off shift in the morning. I used the same bullets for .223 loads and they cannot be pushed in at all once seated. They are just custom grade fl dies, no bushings.

Measurements are as follows: once fired not sized is 1.911 long, neck O.D. 0.256 and neck I.D. Is 0.227
Tumbled and sized dimensions are, 1.917 long, neck O.D. 0.245 and neck I.D. Is 0.218
Seated to an OAL of 2.350 O.D. Neck diameter is 0.250

Ok, so you have a case that is sized to .218" inside diameter, and won't hold a bullet that is .224"? The O D is .245" before seating and after seating is .250", which is .005" increase. You seat a bullet from a case that is .245" and is .250" after. From .218" add .005" for the expansion, and you get .223", which a bullet is .224". This doesn't make sense. You should be good, so I'm not understanding what's going on.

Yeah I’m not sure what the issue is. When I seat them at 2.400 they seem to be a lot tighter but when at 2.350 same thing. Maybe I’m overthinking how tight they should be? I just know they are noticeably less tight than any others I’ve loaded using same methods and no crimping

Are you seating deep enough to make the bearing surface get below the neck? For a .224" diameter bullet, you need at least .224" of length of bullet inside the case.But it does not necessarily have to be more, unless the bullet is jamming in the lands.

Could be the expander ball. Years ago, when loading for my 220, I loaded some rounds with the FL sizing Die, and all was well. I decided to use my new Neck Sizing Die for some rounds, for an accuracy comparison, and the bullets actually fell into the case before I could seat them.

The neck wall thickness was thin, and that probably was a factor also. And it could be that the NK Die didn’t size the thin walled neck enough. But the fact remains that when using the NK Die, the bullets dropped into the interior of the case.