Lee Handpress with Redding Micro Die for Seating Depth Testing?

[JPB4BAMA]

Saw a couple of older threads touching on the question but would like to get some current thoughts/wisdom.

Anyone use a lee hand press at the range to fine test seating depths with a good micrometer seating die? I shoot a 223 Ackley, so going the arbor press route is a bit more difficult to obtain, but not impossible. So just wondering if this might be a decent alternative but one where I can still maintain precision and repeatability like on my single stage MEC and Redding Micrometer die.

Thanks in advance
JPB

 

[jds holler]

I've not used mine this way, but I don't believe that your hand-press would have less accuracy than most bench mounted presses in this regard. A good micrometer seating die should be waayy better for this than a standard die. jd

 

[Toolbreaker]

I've done that several times using Forster micrometer seaters. It works well with that little hand press. Seat them long at home, then do all final seating at the range using a dummy round at jam for comparison numbers.

 

[RegionRat]

I've done it with the Lee Hand press, and I have also done it with an arbor press (and other regular press types too). It isn't all that difficult to bring your equipment to set up at the range. It is my opinion that setting up at the range is very easy... knowing what to do regardless of what shop or lab you are standing in is the hard part....

It makes little difference either way. Use what ya got.

Later on, when the wife gives the nod and the kids have been fed and all have their new school clothes, you may even find you get an arbor press to compare which you like best. All things in their time. Don't let that stop you, get rolling with what you have now.

I prefer the arbor press and a Wilson seater for load development work at the range, but have had no complaints about doing it with the Lee Hand Press/micrometer die and do not have the opinion that either one is less capable of making good ammo.

ETA: the advantage of seating with an arbor press and Wilson style seater, is for the ability to get force feedback on the seating forces. That is true no matter where you are loading, at home or the range.

 

[chop house]

I prefer the arbor press and a Wilson seater for load development work at the range,

^ this for me too. i also have and carry a hand press but find the arbor easier/quicker and perhaps more accurate.

is for the ability to get force feedback

+1

 

[memilanuk]

It's way easier to find the space (and weight) for an aluminum Lee press and something like a Whidden seater (which is more than half aluminum as well) when trying to tuck it in your luggage for a match you have to fly to, than it is trying to do the same with an arbor press and a Wilson die.

Been there, done that, with both setups.

 

[jds holler]

Another benefit of using the Lee hand press, is that after regular use you'll have bulging biceps and rippling pecs like me and Rocketvapor.
Sometimes when I sit on the couch and size a few dozen cases with my shirt off, my wife gets so lathered up that she positively has to leave the room.
jd

 

[rmeyerwy]

I will load a batch of test rounds at the furthest I want to go, then take the lee hand press, my digital calipers, bullet comparator and seating die and head the range. Works great, I can keep adjusting down to what is shooting the best, i dont waste as much ammo.