Diving into LE Wilson seater and arbor press

[savageshooter86]

I am gonna try this for loading at the range. And will be using Berger 180 hybrid and Sinclair arbor press

1. Do I need the VLD seater stem?

2. Should I get the micrometer version or the standard one?

 

[Sniper338]

Vld

Micrometer

 

[littlebuddybr]

Definitely the cold stem.

I don't waste the money on the Mic top.
I just measure my top and move accordingly.

 

[smoooth]

The VLD seater stem will help.
I have a couple micrometer top dies and while being very nice, they are also unnecessary when loading 1 type of bullet. A set of Skips Machine Shims is handy to have on hand, but depth adjustments are very easy to make on the regular seater die itself.

Best of luck!

 

[JFrank]

I am gonna try this for loading at the range. And will be using Berger 180 hybrid and Sinclair arbor press

1. Do I need the VLD seater stem?

2. Should I get the micrometer version or the standard one?

Definitely
Get the vld seater and the micro top
If you shop at Brunos you'll save quite a bit if $$
Wilson makes a very nice F/L sizer as well !

 

[Richard Coody]

I am gonna try this for loading at the range. And will be using Berger 180 hybrid and Sinclair arbor press

1. Do I need the VLD seater stem?

2. Should I get the micrometer version or the standard one?

i have several of both. the micro top is nice for load development when you are doing load development and doing seating depth testing with several different bullets. i find after load development i lock it down and don't mess with it any more. standard works just fine.

loading at the range is a great way to do load development. how are you handling sizing and piwder charges? you can take a batch of resized cases with you. using a powder measure is an easy way to charge cases but not extremely accurate. weighing charges at the range can be difficult if there is any wind. you can bring pre-weighed charges in vials but then you are pretty much stuck adjusting those charges.

let us know what your plan is and how it works out.

 

[KenOath]

Another vote for VLD stem and Micro top.. VLD stem won’t mark bullet specially if using heavy neck tension and Micro top is fast and accurate specially when doing load development seating depths.

 

[Mikemci]

Good choices.
You should also get the Wilson neck sizing die, with the bushing size you need. It will decap and neck size your brass. Either that, or take fully prepped brass with you.

 

[Boatschool02]

If you buy the seater blank direct from Wilson, they will switch to the VLD stem for free at the time of purchase plus a 10% discount for placing your order online. (I order direct from them and have them ship to the gunsmith for reaming.)
I prefer to spend my money on other things than the micro adjust feature. It's not that hard to figure out the depth/rotation adjustment ratio. I've switched all my seaters to this configuration.

 

[David247]

If you believe in cold welding, you can seat close to your seating depth and then the day before you shoot dial down to your final depth to break the weld. Not something you would have to worry about while loading at the range but it is a consideration.

 

[BoydAllen]

I have a micrometer top in a drawer. Currently, and for some time I measure the total length of the stem and cap, and adjust the stem within the cap to adjust seating depth. It takes less time to do than to explain. In my loading notes I record "stem and cap". I also note how far I am into (rarely out of) the rifling or where I am in relation to jam.

 

[littlebuddybr]

I have a micrometer top in a drawer. Currently, and for some time I measure the total length of the stem and cap, and adjust the stem within the cap to adjust seating depth. It takes less time to do than to explain. In my loading notes I record "stem and cap". I also note how far I am into (rarely out of) the rifling or where I am in relation to jam.

This is what I do. Simple and quick

 

[F Class John]

If you order from Wilson direct you can get it shipped with the VLD stem which saves you money in the long run if you know you don’t need the standard stem.

 

[JFrank]

I got my micro seater at Brunos $73 ask for VLD

 

[stifffingers]

I have a micrometer top in a drawer. Currently, and for some time I measure the total length of the stem and cap, and adjust the stem within the cap to adjust seating depth. It takes less time to do than to explain. In my loading notes I record "stem and cap". I also note how far I am into (rarely out of) the rifling or where I am in relation to jam.

You can also preload all your ammo at home, seating all the bullets long. At the range it's your choice to go from jam and work down or touch and work up which I prefer. Either way you don't need to worry about bullet weld.

 

[savageshooter86]

What I plan to do is seat long and adjust at the range for testing or at a match can adjust if needed for whatever reason. For testing I usually load charge day before or two days before Range day.

 

[JFrank]

Unless the wind kicks up I make it work - I use an old dog grooming table

What I plan to do is seat long and adjust at the range for testing or at a match can adjust if needed for whatever reason. For testing I usually load charge day before or two days before Range day.