Converting to the Hand Die / Arbor Press System

[michaelnel]

Hello All

I am thinking about converting from my current method of reloading 6mm BR (using an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme press with Redding Competition type S bushing neck sizing dies) and switching over the the Wilson / Sinclair / Hand dies and arbor press method.

I think I understand the advantages of the hand die method (better concentricity being the most important), but I am wondering about some of the specifics of the tools.

First, I see Wilson only offers neck resizing using their neck/decapping die. Is this what most long range benchrest shooters do, neck sizing only with an occasional shoulder bump with a body die?

Bullet seaters from Wilson and Sinclair range from around $57 up to about $200. Looks like there is a plain one, a stainless micrometer one, and the Sinclair/Wilson one that is stainless, micrometer, and with 0.0005" clicks. You folks feel it is worth the extra dough for the top of the line one?

Arbor presses. So far I have found the Sinclair one (gets lots of bad reviews for gear tooth breakage but good reviews for Sinclair's replacement policy, although my experience with Sinclair and Brownells is that yes, they will replace the stuff, and unfortunately it takes weeks to make the round trip).

There is the Bald Eagle one (but I'm sure it must be either Chinese or Taiwanese with the corner cutting that always comes along with manufacturing there), so I am hesitant to go with that one.

I have a couple items from 21st Century shooting that I have been very impressed with (primer seater and expander mandrel die). They make a couple different kinds, a conventional gear driven one kind of like the Sinclair and Bald Eagle ones and a new generation one that uses linkage instead of the rack and pinion setup. Is that mostly an advantage if you want to do full length resizing?

Last one I have found is the K&M, which also looks like a premium tool and an innovative design, with the toggle-link system.

There isn't a heck of a lot of money spread between them all. I am tending to lean toward the K&M as what looks like the best design, and the ability to add more farkles to it in the future (force measurement).

So what are the opinions of the learned folks here?

 

[jimcasey01]

Won't address all of your questions, but save money on the Wilson bullet seating dies, and get the "plain Jane" ($50.00) ones. You can use a micrometer to adjust (set up) for different seating depths, if you need to do so for different bullet designs. Measure from the top of the seater assembly to the bottom of the seater stem, add or subtract the distance you need to change on the stem. Tighten set screw and you are done. Takes less than 30 seconds, and is dead on. Or you can spend $200.00 for the built in micrometer top for the die. I can do a lot of adjusting with a micrometer for a $150.00 savings.

 

[michaelnel]

Makes sense, thank you. Currently I use the Redding Competition seater that does have a micrometer, and I set my seating depths ignoring the mic. I seat them a little long, and then dial in a little more depth, measure with the calipers and bullet comparator insert, etc., until it gets where I want it.

I agree with you, I don't see a good reason for me to buy the high zoot micrometer one.

 

[Judd]

I agree with Jim Casey.

I have found my OAL measurements on seated bullets are much more consistent using Wilson dies and an arbor press...over the traditional press and seating dies (yes, even the Redding Competition dies).

It really depends on where you are in your loading or shooting. But I like the 21st Century hydraulic arbor press. I have a 6.5x47 load that I'm crunching powder and the 21st Century will not seat all the way so I had to buy a cheap Bald Eagle to do that final little bit. Nothing wrong with the Bald Eagle, especially for the money. It stays in my truck and I use it to do the final little bit of seating at the range on everything now.

I don't like all the allen head screws you have to loosen on the K&M press to raise and lower the press mechanism. Nothing wrong with the Sinclair press...it is just a smoother model and more finished metal than the Bald Eagle...otherwise they are the same.

Good luck!

 

[artbosco]

You only need TWO dies. A Full Length Bushing Die and a Seater with the micrometer top. The top simplifies and expedites the process especially when changing bullets. Record your setting for each bullet type and brand.

Jumping back and forth between Neck sizing and then Body sizing does not enhance accuracy. Accuracy is all about consistency, consistency, and consistency. F/L size all the time.

The K&M Arbor press is a small, efficient, and easily transportable unit.

*** Another option: The Harrell's Combo Press http://www.6mmbr.com/harrellscombopress.html [Excellent article, Excellent pictures] Two dies and this press is probably the only setup a precision shooter would ever need.

Keep reloading simple.

 

[michaelnel]

Keep reloading simple.

It's WAY too late for that.

 

[artbosco]

It's never too late. Sell what's you've got and start over. Consider any loss a tuition for the learning experience. We've all done it to one extent or the other.