Forster micrometer seating die

[Slim13]

So I’ve been using the Forster Micrometer seating dies for a number of years. Love em. They’re great.

However-

When loading up my 7mm Rem/mag cases, the sliding/spring-loaded sleeve at the bottom of the die is catching on the belt of the case. It’s still seating accurately within .001 but it’s driving me nuts and this is a recent occurrence.

This is once fired Norma brass and I FL size every time (and anneal every time before FL sizing). I’m only bumping the shoulder back .0015 at the shoulder (.400 datum line using a Forster datum dial). I know I’m not over sizing, or over annealing.

Thoughts?

Thanks- I figured I’d check with the braintrust here before I call Forster in the morning.

 

[Slim13]

False alarm. I puts a little lube around the bottom of the spring loaded sleeve and we’re all better now.

 

[JohnKielly]

It's nice when you can work it out yourself.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

You shouldn't have to lube a case while seating bullets. Chamfer the bottom of the sleeve so it doesn't catch on the belt.

 

[John Russell]

You shouldn't have to lube a case while seating bullets. Chamfer the bottom of the sleeve so it doesn't catch on the belt.

He didn't lube the case, he lubed the sleeve that slides in the die body.

 

[Barlow]

I use a Forster mic seater for my 6 Dasher and a couple others. I am always impressed at how well they work. If a bullet is seated say .002 long and you turn the dial down .002, it's dead nuts every time. I used 2 as an example could be anything. Don't mean to steal your thread. Barlow

 

[jepp2]

Something else to check is to make sure you haven't "expanded" the bullet seating plug. They are pretty thin on the Forster, and it can cause the plug to drag as it passes through the sleeve. I know, happen to me when running slightly higher neck tension than normal (not a compressed powder charge). Just to give a comparison with the Redding Competition seating die, I show 3 of the bullet seating plugs. 1'st is Forster expanded, 2'nd is Forster new, 3'rd is Redding.

 

[fatelvis]

Something else to check is to make sure you haven't "expanded" the bullet seating plug. They are pretty thin on the Forster, and it can cause the plug to drag as it passes through the sleeve. I know, happen to me when running slightly higher neck tension than normal (not a compressed powder charge). Just to give a comparison with the Redding Competition seating die, I show 3 of the bullet seating plugs. 1'st is Forster expanded, 2'nd is Forster new, 3'rd is Redding.

View attachment 1059601

Thanks for the comparison picture. In my eyes, the Forster has the potential to seat a bullet with less runout than the Redding. The thinner walls of the punch, allows the sleeve to be tighter, allowing less deflection during seating. Is that how you see it?

 

[jepp2]

Is that how you see it?

Well. Due to the belling of the Forster bullet plug and the fact I had to buy the replacements (they didn't offer to replace), I have switched to Redding. But that said, the Redding leave a lot to be desired on seated bullet runout. I have mostly reduced that by seating in steps and rotating the cartridge. But that isn't desirable. And I never really did a good enough comparison on Forster vs Redding to be able to comment on Forster seating runout.

 

[Macropod]

I have found Redding do the same thing. I made my own seater plug out of better steel. Works much better.

 

[JohnKielly]

I have found Redding do the same thing. I made my own seater plug out of better steel. Works much better.

Me too, though Redding replaced the sleeve which was scraped & the plunger without quibble, but told me not to seat bullets with long bearing surfaces particularly if they kiss the powder at the end of their run.

Went back to the Forster after that as it didn't seem to have the same issue & sold the Redding.