micrometer seating dies

[atkins08]

I'm looking at micrometer seating dies. The redding is around $50 higher then the forster version. Is it worth the price difference?
Thanks

 

[wboggs]

I can see the hash marks easier on the Redding. Forster is just as accurate and Redding warns against using theirs for compressed loads. I usually go Forester.
Bill

 

[memilanuk]

The Redding version has 0.050" of adjustment per revolution; the Forster has 0.025". Either has plenty of range of adjustment to get you where you need to be. Coarse adjustments can be made (for if you want to zero your micrometer top for a particular seating depth) using an allen wrench in a recessed hole on the Redding, or using a fine-edged flat blade and a lock nut on the Forster. *Very* occasionally I've had the nut come loose on the Forster. That said, I usually get the Forster when given the choice.

 

[fguffey]

All of my seating dies are micro adjust. I have competition type seating dies for some calibers. I am more interest in the alignment of the neck with the bullet.

I also have seating dies from the past that align the bullet with the with the neck.

F. Guffey

 

[digrazir]

I prefer the Wilson micrometer seating dies with an arbor press. Exact repeatability plus the add benefit of being able to adjust seating depth at the range..Ray

 

[wapiti25]

I feel the Redding comp seater is the best screw-in press die with Wilson slightly better but uses an arbor press. I base my choice because the actual seating stem is not threaded but is floating in a precision bore over the bullet. Most threads are not concentric. The mic top on redding comp dies only push's on the top of the stem.

 

[Barlow]

I've got 3 Forster mic seaters and they work as advertised, no issues. Barlow

 

[Shrek]

I've got both and like the Forster fine and the savings that go with it. I really like my Whiddon set and I'll be ordering more.

 

[Thisguy65]

Forster or Whidden for me.

 

[wmdron]

+2 on the Wilson seaters and arbor press, this works best for me.

 

[Mozella]

I have a Forster for .223 and a Redding for 6mm BR. For some reason, the Forster isn't' as consistent as the Redding. The Forster produces CBTO readings which vary by several thousandths and sometimes more. The Redding is usually consistant within a half a thou. or a bit more. I've fooled around trying to make the Foster work better but without results so far.

On the other hand, many folks report their Forster Micrometer die works great, so don't take my experience as anything other than one more data point.

 

[JohnKielly]

The Redding has tighter tolerances for the seating plunger which I found was an issue when using it with long .30 calibre bullets seated the full length of a .308 W case neck. The die body was galled because the plunger expanded enough to bell its mouth. Redding replaced the two damaged components but told me not to use it that way. I don't have that issue with the Forster.

Both seated with the same degree of precision, runout wise.

 

[amlevin]

I personally prefer the Redding Competition Micrometer seating die.

Unlike the Forster, the case is much more "snug" in the sliding chamber and the seating stem is floating. Makes for a quick change from standard to VLD stem. I have both Redding and Forster dies. If I have to buy again it will be Redding.

 

[chromatica]

User Orkan on another site has compared these two dies and prefers Forster.

 

[Macropod]

Does anyone diamond lap the seater stem with the projectile used using a lathe?
The objective being to seat the bullet as close as possible to the start of the bearing surface leading to greater seating consistency.

Surely there are limits to this but it must be better to have the seater stem further up the ogive.

 

[amlevin]

Does anyone diamond lap the seater stem with the projectile used using a lathe?

None I know but quite a few have used Devcon to create a nice snug fit. Seat a bullet in a nice straight case, check runout on bullet and adjust if necessary to zero TIR. Degrease the inside of he seating stem and scuff with some wet/dry 200 grit sandpaper (inside only of course). Wax the bullet, put a thin layer of devcon on the inside surface of the stem, then place over the seated bullet. Force as much of the Devcon out as possible. Check alignment on Run-out gauge and adjust position as necessary for zero runout.

Note: The devcon, when cured will form an air-tight seal on the bullet so drill a relief hole down the center of the stem first. Or you can use a dremel and small burr to create a release groove or two in the cured Devcon.

 

[memilanuk]

Surely there are limits to this but it must be better to have the seater stem further up the ogive.

A little while back I was talking with someone (Bob Green, maybe) about measuring the bullets closer to where they contact the rifling... and why seating dies don't contact the bullet at that same point. IIRC, the basic answer was that people have tried that, and within the dimensional restrictions imposed by fitting in a conventional 7/8-14 tpi threaded die, by the time you open up the seater that much, the metal starts getting too thin and seating was not as consistent as it is now with the current designs.

 

[Macropod]

Well I did some lathe time and made up a new seater stem. Not that hard to do on a good lathe.

The end result was better than the original purely because the steel used was a much higher grade than original which was very soft. Certainly it now engages further towards the bearing surface. It is a compromise though as going too far can weaken the stem causing problems.

When time permits I'll check the run out, but I suspect that will be fine.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

Surely there are limits to this but it must be better to have the seater stem further up the ogive.

A little while back I was talking with someone (Bob Green, maybe) about measuring the bullets closer to where they contact the rifling... and why seating dies don't contact the bullet at that same point. IIRC, the basic answer was that people have tried that, and within the dimensional restrictions imposed by fitting in a conventional 7/8-14 tpi threaded die, by the time you open up the seater that much, the metal starts getting too thin and seating was not as consistent as it is now with the current designs.

The other issue with this plan is that the force of seating will cause the bullet to get jammed into the seating stem, when you try to seat using that as your point of contact. I made a modified arbor seating die with a stem that was the same diameter as the bore and every single bullet/case got stuck in the die.

 

[Killshot]

Does anyone diamond lap the seater stem with the projectile used using a lathe?

I chamfered the seating edge of the stem to match the bullet shape then polished it using a scuffed bullet with rubbing compound applied to it.
It doesn't touch at the same point where the lands engage but it seems to better center the bullet in the stem and after seating there is no ring around the bullet where the stem touched it.

Bedding with DevCon sounds interesting though it'd require a stem for each bullet type/make.