Arbor Presses

[Twud]

Other than portability, what are the advantages of an arbor press?
Mark

 

[Preacher]

They are also more accurate than a leverage type press and a lot easier to lug around than my old A4 Big Max........

 

[Forum Boss]

I measure all my loaded rounds base of case to ogive, using comparator,on calipers). I find the bullet seating depth is more consistent when using a Wilson die and K&M arbor press than when using a Redding or Forster Ultra Seater in a Rockchucker. I can routinely hold the ogive position,in loaded rounds) within .0015, assuming the bullets are base to ogive sorted to begin with.

 

[rstreich]

My personal favorite difference is the short throw on an arbor press handle versus the long throw of a regular press.

 

[Dean]

Mod,
I don't mean to hijack the thread but what does the base of the bullet to the ogive measurement have to do with seating accuracy?

Not trying to be be a wiseguy but the seater doesn't know how long the bullet is.Its my understanding that the seater die is adjusted off the ogive or somewhere close to that point and will only push the bullet in until it hits it stop or intended adjustment.I'm not sure what the base of the bullet has to do with it.

Any clarification in this matter would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dean

 

[Forum Boss]

Dean,

You raise a good point. I pre-sort bullets from bullet base to ogive,or by bearing surface if I have two comparators handy). The purpose in this is to have the ogive in the same place,as much as possible) relative to the bullet's overall dimensions. There are many reasons why this is a good thing. Some of the best custom bullets,such as BIBs) are so good that you can usually dispense with this step.

You are correct that the seater only works on the ogive,or a spot very near, depending on the radius of the mouth of the seater stem). The only thing you can ask your seating system to do is put that ogive in the same place,relative to the base of the case) every time.

But, if the bullet to bullet base to ogive measurements are not consistent also you'll have different lengths of bullet in the neck even though the ogive is in the same position. That's why I mentioned this preliminary sort.

But the main point I was making is that, when using the arbor press, I find it easier to hold the ogive in exactly the same place than when using a threaded die in a conventional press. As you point out, bullet base to ogive consistency is not really something the seating process can control.

 

[Dean]

Thanks,that makes sense.On a small scale this will change case preasure if bullet lenghts vary.

Thanks again,
Dean