Advice needed on getting new seater dies (Wilson) and arbor press

[ccooper]

I'm about to order my 1st arbor press and chamber type seating dies. I'm thinking the Sinclair press and Wilson dies. Any others I should look at? Probably just gonna go with the non micrometer ($50) dies since 2 of the 3 I'm getting will only be used for one rifle, so I can set it and forget it. Also, with the dies, I do have the choice of getting the standard ones from Sinclair or have my gunsmith send my reamer to someone he uses who takes the Wilson blanks and makes a custom seater. Is this option worth the extra expense and time? Thanks

 

[357Mag]

I'm about to order my 1st arbor press and chamber type seating dies. I'm thinking the Sinclair press and Wilson dies. Any others I should look at? Probably just gonna go with the non micrometer ($50) dies since 2 of the 3 I'm getting will only be used for one rifle, so I can set it and forget it. Also, with the dies, I do have the choice of getting the standard ones from Sinclair or have my gunsmith send my reamer to someone he uses who takes the Wilson blanks and makes a custom seater. Is this option worth the extra expense and time? Thanks

CC -

Howdy !

I like the Sinclair arbor press, for use w/ Wilson seating die(s).

Please re-consider on that micrometer " top ".
They are helpful if you need to try a variety of bullets in your accuracy or/or varminting pursuits.
They can also be an aid when " chasing the lands ", IMHO.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[ccooper]

Thanks 357. I'll definitely give some more thought to the micrometer tops.

 

[nmkid]

I went with the Bald Eagle arbor press and Wilson dies. Works for my rifle!

 

[Deleted old_dood]

after I got mine switching between two different bullets became a pain so I added micrometer tops to both dies. If you're a competitive benchrester, you may consider the K&M press so that you could add their force gauge later.

 

[timeout]

Buy once, cry once. Get the micrometer tops.

 

[Richard Coody]

Buy once, cry once. Get the micrometer tops.

I use the wilson micro tops and the standard ones on cartriges that i have.only one bullet dialed in on. Micro tops are great for load development and trying out new bullets.

I also have some neil jones custom dies that work very well

Just got my 21st century shooting hydro press today. Tomorrow will be the test of that.

 

[Joe Wade]

Don't forget to get the Low drag seating stem if using a High BC long range bullet.
Will do a better job of matching up the ojive angle in the Hybrid and Low Drag style of bullets.
The Micro top dies are also made of Stainless Steel. The standard top dies are Chrome Moly Steel and tend to show rust more often. Happy with my 21st Century arbor press and micro top Wilson seating dies.
Good shooting.

 

[vtmarmot]

I like my Harrell's arbor press just fine.

 

[Dave Berg]

I'm about to order my 1st arbor press and chamber type seating dies. I'm thinking the Sinclair press and Wilson dies. Any others I should look at? Probably just gonna go with the non micrometer ($50) dies since 2 of the 3 I'm getting will only be used for one rifle, so I can set it and forget it. Also, with the dies, I do have the choice of getting the standard ones from Sinclair or have my gunsmith send my reamer to someone he uses who takes the Wilson blanks and makes a custom seater. Is this option worth the extra expense and time? Thanks

I use only the standard/non-micrometer Wilson seating dies because they're easier to adjust precisely. The micrometer dies have a bit of "slop" in them. When you get down to adjusting up or down one or two thousandths the standard dies can do that very precisely. Just measure the length of the stem to cap with a good caliper.

Regarding the second part of your question, I believe having a seating die made with your chamber reamer is far superior to an "off the shelf" if you're serious about accuracy. I don't understand why your 'smith sends them out as it's a simple task. If it's a standard cartridge it can be done by removing a few thousandths from the base of the die and running your chamber reamer in. If it's not a cartridge Wilson makes dies for you can either use a blank or in many cases a similar but different die. Example, many years ago before Wilson made them, I had a 6 Dasher die made from a 6 BR die.

 

[ccooper]

I use only the standard/non-micrometer Wilson seating dies because they're easier to adjust precisely. The micrometer dies have a bit of "slop" in them. When you get down to adjusting up or down one or two thousandths the standard dies can do that very precisely. Just measure the length of the stem to cap with a good caliper

Regarding the second part of your question, I believe having a seating die made with your chamber reamer is far superior to an "off the shelf" if you're serious about accuracy. I don't understand why your 'smith sends them out as it's a simple task. If it's a standard cartridge it can be done by removing a few thousandths from the base of the die and running your chamber reamer in. If it's not a cartridge Wilson makes dies for you can either use a blank or in many cases a similar but different die. Example, many years ago before Wilson made them, I had a 6 Dasher die made from a 6 BR die.

That's kinda what I was thinking. Also had that same discussion and conclusion thru PM's with another member on here.

I was thinking the same, but my smith said he has someone who does them well he knows and I trust him. He's been invaluable to me with info and knowledge and I trust what he tells me. Still haven't got the price yet, so we'll see BTW, it's a 6BR and 6.5x284 switch barrel. Thanks

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

What the mob says, plus 1.
You WILL be chasing the throat erosion on a regular basis, and there is the ease in logging a setting for each bullet you use.