Forster ultra Micrometer Seating Die Issue

[Charliephoo]

I ordered the die from Amazon Gunstop reloading supplies. I used it to load some 223 Rem. with 77 gr bullets and varget 23.4 gr. After about 40 rds, the stem was sticking and expanding, the stem looks like SS, should be strong, but felt it's soft. I pulled it out from sleeve, then hard to put it in. I sent MSG to the factory and they asked me to send it back with some brass and bullets I used to figure out problem. I believe it's just excuses. It's not a new problem from Forster after I did research. It's been for many years. The problem still there.

Then I tried to return it. I found the store Gunstop Reloading supplies in Amazon, they will not return it or charge 20% restocking feee. See below.

Instructions from Gunstop Reloading Supplies​

• We do not accept used merchandise for return.
  The shrink wrap and factory seals must be intact for a return
  If there is an issue with an item you will need to contact the manufacturer directly as we are not the warranty provider.
  We charge a 20% restocking fee on all returns except items shipped in error on our part.
  We do not pay for return postage unless it is an item shipped in error on our part.

 

[GLShooter]

Not unusual. Many companies put the burden on the buyer. Off to Forster if you want any play on this one is my guess.

Greg

 

[243Lapua]

That's why I did away with their dies. Always sticking

 

[Della]

Ditto. Any compression at all and you deform the stem. Hard not to do with a typical 77SMK and 24 gr Varget load.

Switched to the less expensive Hornady and no more problems.

 

[Old Navy]

The only time I ever expanded one of several I have is when I seated Lapua right out of the box. I simply chucked the die in my drill press and used a fine tooth fire to remove the bevel. I now use and expander die on new brass.

 

[TheCZKid]

I had the same problem, twice. You CANNOT do a compressed load, even if you think it's not really compressed, might be enough to crack that outer ring or deform it. I still like them, but am careful not to put too much pressure, which is a PIA to have to think about.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

My 308's used to stick, so I chucked the seating stem in the drill and polished the inside edge with emery and a diamond block. No issues since.

 

[Metal God]

It's sticking because you are compressing the load which results in the bullet being forced up into the seating stem .

 

[Ray123]

I ordered the die from Amazon Gunstop reloading supplies. I used it to load some 223 Rem. with 77 gr bullets and varget 23.4 gr. After about 40 rds, the stem was sticking and expanding, the stem looks like SS, should be strong, but felt it's soft. I pulled it out from sleeve, then hard to put it in. I sent MSG to the factory and they asked me to send it back with some brass and bullets I used to figure out problem. I believe it's just excuses. It's not a new problem from Forster after I did research. It's been for many years. The problem still there.

Then I tried to return it. I found the store Gunstop Reloading supplies in Amazon, they will not return it or charge 20% restocking feee. See below.

Instructions from Gunstop Reloading Supplies​

• We do not accept used merchandise for return.
  The shrink wrap and factory seals must be intact for a return
  If there is an issue with an item you will need to contact the manufacturer directly as we are not the warranty provider.
  We charge a 20% restocking fee on all returns except items shipped in error on our part.
  We do not pay for return postage unless it is an item shipped in error on our part.

I had issues with Forester seating stem too...it was flimsy, and too thin..put it in lathe collet and reworked it making it thicker and recutting the stem bullet point and lapping it to the bullet I was using...solved the problem.

 

[Ray123]

I had the same problem, twice. You CANNOT do a compressed load, even if you think it's not really compressed, might be enough to crack that outer ring or deform it. I still like them, but am careful not to put too much pressure, which is a PIA to have to think about.

That is true in the original form no compressed loads even a little bit..but they can be reworked in a lathe and take a fairly good compressed load...also if you must use a compressed load, you can make a die with a powder compression stem and use it to pre compress the powder charge, before seating the bullet.