whidden custom seating dies?

[TrxR]

Anyone use one of whiddens custom seating dies? How do they compare to a arbor press die?

Im debating going this route as i dont currently have a arbor press.

Im also thinking about getting one of their custom bushing sizing dies.

How many times do the brass need fired before sending in for custom dies?

Thanks

 

[MikeMcCasland]

I don't have a custom ground sleeve, however I've got some Whidden seating dies. They're nice, but they aren't anything better than a Forster or Redding, just minor differences.

That said, nothing in a standard press compares to arbor seating. You'll get better depth consistency, and less runout. Combine that with the option to use a force gauge, and it's got some real benefits.

Their sizing dies are works of art in terms of machining. Best I've used.

My 2c.

 

[rkittine]

I have custom Whidden Dies (FL Size & Neck Bushing) and Micrometer Seating. I also have Wilson Dies for my Arbor Press. I only use the arbor press and dies for loading at the range and use the Whiddens on the home bench. I like them both, but since you can't full length resize on an arbor press, if you are only going to have one press, then the Whiddens would always be my choice.

Bob

 

[TrxR]

Im looking at my options as i will only be loading at home and dont currently have a arbor press.

 

[Mikemci]

John wants 3 pieces of 3 times fired brass. The die he will make, using your brass, will be amazing. Very minimal sizing.

 

[TrxR]

John wants 3 pieces of 3 times fired brass. The die he will make, using your brass, will be amazing. Very minimal sizing.

So i will have to find a neck size die and seating die to reload the cases twice?

 

[Mikemci]

If you start with new brass, you should be able to shoot them 3 times, without resizing them.

 

[Mikemci]

You may have to use a Lee collet neck size die. It will size the neck, so a bullet will fit, without touching the case body.

 

[TrxR]

Would a 308 collet die work if needed?

 

[Mulligan]

I have custom Whidden Dies (FL Size & Neck Bushing) and Micrometer Seating. I also have Wilson Dies for my Arbor Press. I only use the arbor press and dies for loading at the range and use the Whiddens on the home bench. I like them both, but since you can't full length resize on an arbor press, if you are only going to have one press, then the Whiddens would always be my choice.

Bob

^^^^^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

John Whidden makes excellent custom dies.
CW

 

[SGK]

If an arbor press is the bee's knees I wonder why John et al don't make inline dies. Is there only Wilson?

I ordered a Whidden seating die with a seating stem for the particular bullet I'm going to use.

 

[TrxR]

Would it be possible to size enough of the neck to hold the bullet with a fl bushing die without touching the shoulder or body?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Would it be possible to size enough of the neck to hold the bullet with a fl bushing die without touching the shoulder or body?

Yes

 

[Ksracer]

The custom sizing die I ordered from Widden 3 yrs ago was less than impressive. It was a month late, and when it arrived, the mouth and neck of the die were so sharp it cut rings off the side of the brass instead of resizing it. The knurling on the locknut's was half tracked, and so shallow they should have just left them smooth. Then I had to replace the internals with Redding parts because the threading die they used on the decapping stem walked off to 1 side so it wasn't centered in the body and missed the flash hole. I heard second hand info at the time that they had either out sourced die production, or had just opened up a second shop of their own to handle the die work, so maybe things are back on track now.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The custom sizing die I ordered from Widden 3 yrs ago was less than impressive. It was a month late, and when it arrived, the mouth and neck of the die were so sharp it cut rings off the side of the brass instead of resizing it. The knurling on the locknut's was half tracked, and so shallow they should have just left them smooth. Then I had to replace the internals with Redding parts because the threading die they used on the decapping stem walked off to 1 side so it wasn't centered in the body and missed the flash hole. I heard second hand info at the time that they had either out sourced die production, or had just opened up a second shop of their own to handle the die work, so maybe things are back on track now.

You definitely got an outlier. I bet they will replace it for you

 

[rkittine]

I have 5 sets of Whidden Custom dies. I sent three cases, each fired 3 times (used the Wilson neck only sizing die and my arbor press to reload for each repeat firing) along with my reamer print. All 5 times, the dies were received in the time period quoted and all work great. You can get a seating stem for more specific projectiles also. The set comes with the bump gauge etc.

Bob

 

[NorCalMikie]

I had a custom seater and sizer built for my 20 TCM. Sent in a NEW necked down to 20 22 TCM case with a bullet seated where "I wanted it". Got it back and had issues with the seater stem not reaching the bullet so I sent it back. They got it squared away in nothing flat with "Humble Apologies".
Tried different places but no one else wanted to bother with my project.
Whidden did the job.

 

[Nature Boy]

I have 2 sets of Widden seating and sizing dies; one build off the reamer print, the other build off of fired cases. Both sets are fantastic. No need to check run out anymore.

 

[SGK]

If an arbor press is the bee's knees I wonder why John et al don't make inline dies. Is there only Wilson?

Anyone?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Wilson type dies arent as popular as youd be led to believe on the innernet. Its almost like sorting primers.