Best Made Micrometer Type Bullet Seater

[Max]

I now use a Redding competition model bullet seater with a slilding sleeve that holds the cartridge in line while the bullet is seated. It works fine but I'm considering getting another one in a different caliber and am seriously looking at the comparable Forster model. Has anyone compared the fit and finish of both to determine which is better? I've considered the Wilson straight line seater but don't have an arbor press.

 

[in2deep]

Personally I like the hand dies and arbor press so that I can feel the difference and keep track of neck tension better and also to cull out or use for sighters any that seat especially hard or soft.
With the modest price of an arbor press and lower priced hand dies it may not cost you much extra.
Maybe a coincidence but after going from a Forster seater to a hand die my runout is appreciably lower.

This was mentioned a few days ago as being nice for the price and easily adjustable:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Bald-Eagle-Mini-Arbor-Press/BE1001

 

[Forum Boss]

I like the Wilson stainless micrometer-top seater for the money. Good fit to 6mmBR cartridge, and it gives me very good control over base to ogive length. Use a wood popsicle stick to "pop" the cartridge out if you get a vacuum lock.

If you want a really awesome micrometer hand seating die, look at the Neil Jones unit. Pricey, but a "Step Above" the Wilson. Neil uses a custom insert for the body, spec'd off your fired brass, and there is an interchangeable neck bushing -- not for sizing, but so you can get perfect alignment if you have different versions of the same cartridge, or you want one bushing for no-turn and another for turned necks. Neil calls his micrometer-top seating die for arbors the "Micro Seating Die AP". Price is $140.00 per die (NOTE: this price is higher than that shown on the web site as Neil has recently increased his pricing)

http://www.neiljones.com/html/micro_dies.html

PHONE 814-763-2769 - EMAIL njones@mdvl.net

 

[Leaddog]

German Salazar wrote an excellent article "Seating Die Runout" where he tested several seating dies. The winner was the Redding Competition Seater with sliding sleeve.

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/09/reloading-seating-die-runout.html

I've used this seater for years and am quite happy. My runout is always less than .0005 on every round using Lapua Brass and Berger 185 LRBT's.

 

[amamnn]

I use both Forster and Redding micrometer type dies. The Forster is easier to set up for your zero position and easier to read. I have not been able to measure any significant difference in the "runout" of any bullets seated in either die. Redding now has a micrometer stem that you can put on your standard Redding seater die. I have a couple of these in the new VLD configuration to use in addition to the Forster and the Redding comp seaters I use for the more standard target bullets I normally use.

I've only loaded a few VLD bullets using the new dies and never measured the "runout" since the bullets are seated in the lands of a blueprinted rifle and the cases are perfectly straight.

 

[bozo699]

I use both Forster and Redding micrometer type dies. The Forster is easier to set up for your zero position and easier to read. I have not been able to measure any significant difference in the "runout" of any bullets seated in either die. Redding now has a micrometer stem that you can put on your standard Redding seater die. I have a couple of these in the new VLD configuration to use in addition to the Forster and the Redding comp seaters I use for the more standard target bullets I normally use.

I've only loaded a few VLD bullets using the new dies and never measured the "runout" since the bullets are seated in the lands of a blueprinted rifle and the cases are perfectly straight.

I own both the Redding and Forster, I own way more Redding then Forsters but that may change, I really like the results I am seeing with the Forster competition dies.
Wayne.

 

[wmdron]

I have the Forster and have been satisfied with the results. I would like to try the replacement Redding stems and of course the Wilson dies.

 

[fdshuster]

Have and use Wilson with an arbor press, Redding & Forster 7/8" x 14 micrometer top benchrest seaters.

The Forsters are my favorite. Compared to the Redding, really like the .025" of adjustment on the Forster compared to the .050" of the Redding for each 360 degree's of turn. The larger adjustment range makes it easier (for me) to make precise adjustments. Forsters turn like they are on roller bearings, very smooth.

I agree the Forster "numbers" are more difficult to read than the Redding, but I am careful to position the die (and lock ring), so the available light is shining directly on the reference numbers.

The difference in cost with the Forster being approx. $25 less is also a factor for me.

Wilson's do an excellent job with the arbor press, but for me, more time consuming, especially if doing a large number of loads.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I have used the Neil Jones, Redding, Hornady New Diamention and Forster seating dies, never had a complaint about any of them. Can't remember if the Warners make one, but if they do or were to, they would be top notch.

 

[Max]

Thanks for the info guys, you made me aware of a couple of types that I hadn't heard of.

 

[bowslngr]

I own two each of the Redding and RCBS. I actually like the RCBS better.