Bestbullet seating die?

[davecb]

I didn't want to hijack the other thread about the sizing die so I'm starting a new thread. I am looking at getting the Warner Tool sizing die for my 6.5 x 47 I'm having built. My question is, which seating die is considered "best". I know you can get custom sizing dies but is it necessary for a seating die? I would like to stay with a die that will fit my Rockchucker press but would be willing to go with a Wilson style if it is truly better.

Thanks for any input
Dave

 

[mikecr]

Well, other seating die/press combinations can match a Wilson inline/arbor press. I doubt there is anything 'better' though. Not really.

 

[rardoin]

I have a Forster micrometer comp. dies and Wilson seater dies/arbor press. The Wilson is more consistent in my hands. If I am not loading for competition but for hunting, I use the Forster dies in the R'chucker.

 

[JeffinVAB]

Are any of you guys using the 21st Century Hydro bullet seater?

Im getting ready to order one.

 

[Piney]

+1 on the Wilson seater. Buy a micrometer top from Sinclair & just change out the stems as you acquire other calibers.

 

[rkittine]

After using a Wilson Chamber Seating Die at the Williamsport 1,000 Yard Bench Rest School, I upgraded and bought Wilson seating dies for my Arbor Press. (I have Custom Micrometer Seating Dies from Whidden)

With the recommendation by Bob White at The Shooters Corner, where I purchased most of my Wilson equipment, I did not purchase the Micrometer Head version, nor the one separate micrometer head that can be used by all the seaters, but went with a set of precision shims for fine adjustment.

Bob

 

[6mmcldasher]

didn't someone do a test on ammo concentricity and found that it didn't really affect accuracy on paper . It may have Eric C ?
Anyway fwiw I use wilsons for seating all comp loads.

 

[Cody Richardson]

Are any of you guys using the 21st Century Hydro bullet seater?

Im getting ready to order one.

Yes, just started using one two matches ago. Noticeable difference forsure. I keep my record fire rounds within a 4-8 psi range.

 

[dkhunt14]

didn't someone do a test on ammo concentricity and found that it didn't really affect accuracy on paper . It may have Eric C ?
Anyway fwiw I use wilsons for seating all comp loads.

It is also how you can feel the bullets seating and you can pick out the heavier or lighter ones. Tension differences cause vertical especially at long range. Matt

 

[dcali]

I think it's a stretch to say that an arbor seater is "truly better". The micrometer adjustable "competition" models from Redding, et al. are pretty good. I can't tell the difference. They both produce consistent, concentric ammo, to the extent that the seater contributes to that aim.

 

[Shynloco]

I think it's a stretch to say that an arbor seater is "truly better". The micrometer adjustable "competition" models from Redding, et al. are pretty good. I can't tell the difference.......

Sorry, can't agree with that one. I used to use pretty much Redding Dies to seat bullet usings either my Rochucker or Redding Big Boss Press. Then about 5 yrs ago, I tried using Wilson Dies and a Sinclair Arbor press and noted how much better I can "FEEL" the bullet being seated. That alone provided me yet another piece of valuable information as to the status/hardness of my brass. Been using the Arbor Press/Wilson Seater Die combo since with excellent results.

Alex

 

[zipollini]

I use a 21st Century hydro press and Wilson seater with the micrometer head for partially seating my 6XC bullets but then do the final seating with my Rock Chucker with a Forster micro seater. I find that the Forster delivers the same concentricity as the Wilson dies do but that the Forster controls seating depth repeatability better due to what I figure is a better match between the bullet type and seater stem.

 

[ireload2]

I have the competition/BR dies from RCBS, Redding and Forster. None of them are as good a fit "bullet to bore" and "seater punch to bore" compared to the Wilson seaters. I have a shop made Wilson type seater that is actually a little better than a Wilson. The seater bore is actually about .0003 smaller than a Wilson so it is a better fit for the bullet.

I think it's a stretch to say that an arbor seater is "truly better". The micrometer adjustable "competition" models from Redding, et al. are pretty good. I can't tell the difference. They both produce consistent, concentric ammo, to the extent that the seater contributes to that aim.

 

[Pappy42]

I use Wilson seaters. I buy the blanks and have them reamed with the reamer used to chamber my barrel.

I still have days where I'm the dog and days where I'm the fire hydrant; but days when I do my part, the rifles shoot pretty good.

 

[mikecr]

I use Wilson seaters. I buy the blanks and have them reamed with the reamer used to chamber my barrel.

I've done this with 2 chambers & had no problems.
I ran into a Wilson seater plug that was somehow not center drilled, but it was cheap to replace. Otherwise, have never had an issue with contact datum point, wedging, or bottoming. This, with VLDs and Scenars.

 

[Scott Harris]

I didn't want to hijack the other thread about the sizing die so I'm starting a new thread. I am looking at getting the Warner Tool sizing die for my 6.5 x 47 I'm having built. My question is, which seating die is considered "best". I know you can get custom sizing dies but is it necessary for a seating die? I would like to stay with a die that will fit my Rockchucker press but would be willing to go with a Wilson style if it is truly better.

Thanks for any input
Dave

I've tested my Wilson seaters vs Redding and Forster press-mounted competition seaters: no statisticial difference in runout or consistency of seating depth. You can use a Wilson seater at the range or on the road. But a press-mounted seater is far more convenient at home. German Salazar tested inline versus press mounted seaters a few years ago and came to the same conclusion: no difference in performance.

Also, Warner makes nice stuff, but I doubt their sizer is going to make brass one iota straighter than a well-made standard sizing die. If it did, we'd all own one. I'm a big believer in statistically testing ideas. Many, many times what we think to be true just ain't so.

Best of luck with your project,
Scott

 

[USMCDOC]

I have been using Jones dies for a long time..

 

[Kurt Blasser]

Consistency of seating depth is what I struggle with. Constantly readjusting my Whidden micrometer die but same problem with Redding comp micrometer to get the proper seating depth. Any suggestions? Different die?

 

[mikecr]

Consistency of seating depth is what I struggle with. Constantly readjusting my Whidden micrometer die but same problem with Redding comp micrometer to get the proper seating depth. Any suggestions? Different die?

Is it inconsistent measure of seating, or inconsistent seating forces?
Less likely the die.

 

[Kurt Blasser]

Is it inconsistent measure of seating, or inconsistent seating forces?
Less likely the die.

Try to meticulously measure with hornady comparator, and also sinclair comparator. Using the same full ram stroke on redding press. Don't know how I would change that. ??