Question about Arbor presses

[TxBowHunter409]

Only been reloading since maybe November of last year. So although I'm still a nube, I've reloaded around 1,500 rounds since then. So I've learned trial and error method what works and what what I need improvement on, pretty much the hard way.

I started with a Forster Co-Ax press, and all Forster full length ultra micrometer bushing dies and seaters for 300WM, 7PRC, 6.5PRC, 308Win & 6.5CM. I've upgraded equipment, calipers, micrometers, tumblers, comparators, annealer, powder measurers, etc. to the point it's getting difficult to sneak the delivery boxes past the wife any more. But... I'm wanting to upgrade my current bullet seating method to an Arbor Press.

I've been looking at both Short Action Customs and L.E. Wilson bullet seating dies, and the K&M Arbor Press. Mainly because these are what I'm generally finding the most widely available. The L.E. Wilson dies seem pretty straight forward in what you're getting. The SAC dies leave a lot to be desired as far as product descriptions go.

My question is, what would you recommend as far as both a press and seating dies? And where the heck can you find them?

 

[MikeRu]

I use Wilson seater dies with K&M Arbor press for multiple cartridges, very happy, no complaints & no temptation to upgrade. Portable and handy for reseating at the range.

 

[stavey]

Same here Wilson micrometer seaters and K&M arbor press. You could go all out though, and get an AMP press.

 

[JLT]

I would suggest testing the marginal contribution of an inline seater and arbor press. You say you have Forster micrometer seating dies. These are excellent, IME. Before you retire these, pick a chambering and get yourself a Wilson micrometer inline seater and an arbor press. I suggest .308 Win., because if you end up selling the die, a Wilson .308 will go quickly.

For the test, select a load with known and reliable performance. Load ten rounds with the Forster seater and ten rounds with the Wilson. Fire them round robin at 200 or 300 yards. The ten shot groups should give you an inclination, one way or the other.

I use Wilson inline seaters AND Forster micrometer seaters. I'm happy with both, and I don't feel handicapped when I use one or the other. I shot a national record with my 6 Dasher a couple of years ago, and the seating die in question was a Forster - I don't have a Wilson for my Dasher. I do have a micrometer seating die and a Wilson for my 7mm, and if there's a difference between the two, I don't think I'm good enough to shoot it.

BTW, I use a Co-Ax as well. I believe any alignment issues or superiority inherent in either of the seating dies is mitigated by the Co-Ax design.

 

[Clancy]

The coax does a great job, but there’s nothing like Wilson seaters and an arbor press for a combination speed and precision. The Wilson seating stems are tougher than the Forster stems though. That I know for sure.

 

[X-Caveman]

Unless you want to seat bullets at the range, or anywhere else that you don’t have your reloading press, I wouldn’t make the “investment”.

 

[HTSmith]

I prefer my Forester die and press at home. For me I get more consistent base to ogive measurements over the hand die setup. I use the Wilson dies at the range. Personally I think the hand die/arbor press thing is overrated. Jmho

 

[L.Sherm]

Once you go to Wilson inline seater you will never go back to another seater i wont anyway, being able to take it to the range is a BIG plus for seating depth tests

 

[Chris Edmondson]

Sinclair (made by LE Wilson) micrometer seating die, K&M arbor press does the trick for me. I have a cheap Bald Eagle arbor press I take to range if needed. For all other duties I use a Forster CoAx. Good luck!

 

[Clancy]

I can seat 50 Bart’s bullets on an arbor with a wilson die and see maybe half a thousand up or down once in a while. Im sure there are other ways of doing it, but I doubt they’re as fast.

I’d say my arbor would be one of the last two things I let go of from the reloading room.

 

[JLT]

I can seat 50 Bart’s bullets on an arbor with a wilson die and see maybe half a thousand up or down once in a while. Im sure there are other ways of doing it, but I doubt they’re as fast.

I’d say my arbor would be one of the last two things I let go of from the reloading room.

I must be ham-fisted. My fingers were not made for delicate tasks. I can seat faster (a little) and with equivalent precision with the Forster/Co-Ax combination.

 

[JFrank]

And where the heck can you find them?

I always buy my Wilson dies from Bruno’s because the have good prices and good service.

Wilson Stainless Steel Micrometer Top Inline Seater Die 30 BR | Bruno Shooters Supply

Includes: One Wilson Micrometer Bullet Seater Seater base to elevate primer above arbor press plate Complete instructions Features: Stainless parts for long life- machined from 416 and 303 stainless steel Micrometer head adjustment for easy seating depth changes with an easy-to-read scale in...

www.brunoshooters.com

 

[JLT]

I always buy my Wilson dies from Bruno’s because the have good prices and good service.

Wilson Stainless Steel Micrometer Top Inline Seater Die 30 BR | Bruno Shooters Supply

Includes: One Wilson Micrometer Bullet Seater Seater base to elevate primer above arbor press plate Complete instructions Features: Stainless parts for long life- machined from 416 and 303 stainless steel Micrometer head adjustment for easy seating depth changes with an easy-to-read scale in...

www.brunoshooters.com

Amazon, too.

Amazon.com

 

[JFrank]

My Arbor press came from Harrell’s but there certainly are some great ones to choose from. I also use the accuracy one seating depth comparator to check each round, I get about 95% exact and maybe 5% .0005 variance.
Hard to complain about that.

 

[Straightshooter1]

My Arbor press came from Harrell’s but there certainly are some great ones to choose from. I also use the accuracy one seating depth comparator to check each round, I get about 95% exact and maybe 5% .0005 variance.
Hard to complain about that.

^^^^^ same here. I use Harrell's little arbor press with LE Wilson inline seating dies and they work great. AND. . . I like the convenience of taking them to the range to do adjustments when doing loading development.

 

[L.Sherm]

I must be ham-fisted. My fingers were not made for delicate tasks. I can seat faster (a little) and with equivalent precision with the Forster/Co-Ax combination.

Take the seating stem out and drop the bullet in the stem hole quick and easy.

 

[JLT]

Take the seating stem out and drop the bullet in the stem hole quick and easy.

That's how I do it, however, it is still faster for me with the Forster. Not a big difference, either way.

 

[michaeljp65]

If your set on an arbor press, may i suggest the 21st century arbor press. IMO its better than the K&M for seating feel. https://21stcenturyinnovation.com/buy-online/ols/products/new-generation-arbor-press

 

[memilanuk]

Take the seating stem out and drop the bullet in the stem hole quick and easy.

Exactly the way Wilson says to *not* use their seater...

 

[kd4avp]

Another vote for the Wilson inline seaters. I use them on 6PPC, 22BR and 6BR. Super easy to set up. Easy to adjust. Plus once set for that rifle, I rarely have to adjust anything. Each seater is for that rifle....I have 2 6BRs...separate seater for each. Just my preference.