Frankford Arsenal Universal Seater Tested

[JimSC]

A few months back I bought a Frankford Arsenal universal seater planning on using it to do seating depth tests on my 30BW ( 30 Major, 30 Grendel). The rifles builder had supplied me with a Wilson inline but without the micrometer top. Excellent once you have seating depth dialed in but a bit of a pain to use for varying the seating depth. I have not experimented much with the 30 BW so far but recently purchased 1000 Berger 6mm 68gn flatbase bullets and 8 pounds of N133 for my 6BRs. I planned on loading 50 rounds this morning but soon discovered the short flatbase bullets were a challenge to get started using a Redding Micrometer seater without pinching my fingers. I thought this is a good time to try that Frankford seater out. Fifty rounds later I was glad I had purchased it.


The window for loading the bullets made life simple again, the micrometer adjustments were spot on, and runout on the finished rounds was 90% less than .001 with a maximum of .0015. I only wish this had been available when I first started reloading

Universal Bullet Seating Die | Frankford Arsenal

Universal Bullet Seating Die

www.frankfordarsenal.com

$99.00 recommended list price but can be found for around $75.00

 

[Forum Boss]

Here is information from the page linked by JimSC.

The Universal Bullet Seating Die works with .224 to .338 caliber bullets. Featuring a cutout window die body, the Universal Bullet Seating Die holds the bullet in place while seating. The built-in micrometer allows for precise .001” micro-adjustments to the seating depth of the bullet. Includes 9 bullet alignment sleeves, 3 VLD bullet seating stems, and a molded storage case. (Note: one alignment sleeve and one VLD bullet seating stem are pre-assembled inside the die.)
Included Caliber Fittings

• .224 Cal
• .243 Cal
• .257 Cal
• .264 Cal
• .277 Cal
• .284 Cal
• .325 Cal
• .338 Cal

 

[Straightshooter1]

A few months back I bought a Frankford Arsenal universal seater planning on using it to do seating depth tests on my 30BW ( 30 Major, 30 Grendel). The rifles builder had supplied me with a Wilson inline but without the micrometer top. Excellent once you have seating depth dialed in but a bit of a pain to use for varying the seating depth. I have not experimented much with the 30 BW so far but recently purchased 1000 Berger 6mm 68gn flatbase bullets and 8 pounds of N133 for my 6BRs. I planned on loading 50 rounds this morning but soon discovered the short flatbase bullets were a challenge to get started using a Redding Micrometer seater without pinching my fingers. I thought this is a good time to try that Frankford seater out. Fifty rounds later I was glad I had purchased it.


The window for loading the bullets made life simple again, the micrometer adjustments were spot on, and runout on the finished rounds was 90% less than .001 with a maximum of .0015. I only wish this had been available when I first started reloading

Universal Bullet Seating Die | Frankford Arsenal

Universal Bullet Seating Die

www.frankfordarsenal.com

$99.00 recommended list price but can be found for around $75.00

You're getting good runout numbers and wondering what press you're using???

Hmmm??? The Ultimate Reloader test shown in the YouTube video showed +/- .002 runout (.004 TIR), which he characterized as "good". But in my book, .004 TIR is NOT "good" and I look for TIR in the area you say you got. So, it seems we've got some conflicting evidences for how well this seater performs.

 

[Bill Norris]

A few months back I bought a Frankford Arsenal universal seater planning on using it to do seating depth tests on my 30BW ( 30 Major, 30 Grendel). The rifles builder had supplied me with a Wilson inline but without the micrometer top. Excellent once you have seating depth dialed in but a bit of a pain to use for varying the seating depth. I have not experimented much with the 30 BW so far but recently purchased 1000 Berger 6mm 68gn flatbase bullets and 8 pounds of N133 for my 6BRs. I planned on loading 50 rounds this morning but soon discovered the short flatbase bullets were a challenge to get started using a Redding Micrometer seater without pinching my fingers. I thought this is a good time to try that Frankford seater out. Fifty rounds later I was glad I had purchased it.


The window for loading the bullets made life simple again, the micrometer adjustments were spot on, and runout on the finished rounds was 90% less than .001 with a maximum of .0015. I only wish this had been available when I first started reloading

Universal Bullet Seating Die | Frankford Arsenal

Universal Bullet Seating Die

www.frankfordarsenal.com

$99.00 recommended list price but can be found for around $75.00

I also purchased this seating die a couple of months back and have been very happy with my results. I have seen no difference in my group size so far with 6mm 6.5mm & .308 calibers. Setting it up for the different calibers to be seated is a breeze and it is very easy to adjust seating depth as the micrometer seems to be spot on.

 

[358WCF]

No .308 adaptor listed. Maybe the one is comes assembled with?

It looks too tall to work with a Co-ax. Anybody try it yet?

 

[Bill Norris]

No .308 adaptor listed. Maybe the one is comes assembled with?

It looks too tall to work with a Co-ax. Anybody try it yet?

The .308 insert normally is installed at shipment.

 

[loinhunter]

You’ve got to very careful with the small (I mean tiny) set screw in their die block. Although it doesn’t strip thread , the brass face contacting the threads on the die mangle -necessitating constant retightening in the block. If you don’t the die will walk -changing values , either sizing or seating. I filed the contact surface, buying a little more time. Oops. Just noticed my subscription expired, next time I post I’ll be gold!

 

[acloco]

You’ve got to very careful with the small (I mean tiny) set screw in their die block. Although it doesn’t strip thread , the brass face contacting the threads on the die mangle -necessitating constant retightening in the block. If you don’t the die will walk -changing values , either sizing or seating. I filed the contact surface, buying a little more time. Oops. Just noticed my subscription expired, next time I post I’ll be gold!

Any way to insert a piece of nylon to cure both problems?

 

[JimSC]

the set screw on mine is brass. I did not "monkey fist" it when tightening but I did apply a reasonable amount of force. I just loosened it and there was no discernable damage to the threads on the steel die body. I suppose one could always replace the lock ring with a different type if was a concern.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022385148
Midway put these on sale today.

 

[epc308]

You’ve got to very careful with the small (I mean tiny) set screw in their die block. Although it doesn’t strip thread , the brass face contacting the threads on the die mangle -necessitating constant retightening in the block. If you don’t the die will walk -changing values , either sizing or seating. I filed the contact surface, buying a little more time. Oops. Just noticed my subscription expired, next time I post I’ll be gold!

Replace the look nut with a Forster or Hornady clamp style. Every die I own has one or the other. That tiny screw doesn't apply pressure evenly and can or will cause the die to not sit straight.