most compact press setup for seating @ the range

[memilanuk]

What I'm looking for is a compact,and hopefully lightweight) tool or setup for final seating of bullets at the range.

For a variety of reasons, I'm looking at loading some ammo long, and then when it comes time to actually use it, push the bullet down to where it needs to be for final seating depth. Ideally this should alleviate a) any throat wear/movement and b) any chance of cold-welding, galvanic bonding, whatever you want to call it. Basically the ammo has to be shipped ahead to where I'm going, and remain in storage until I get there,x number of months). As such... I won't have the luxury of my entire loading room - just what I can squeeze in with my regular luggage or in the gun case.

I have a RW Hart arbor press - very nice, but way too heavy/bulky for what I have in mind. I have a Harrell's combo press... it does fold flatter than the Hart for storage/transport, but still a little heavy and kind of over kill for what I want. Lastly I have a Lee hand press,ala 'nutcracker' that is light, compact, and all that, but I don't have the utmost confidence in its repeatability for precision seating. Perhaps some testing between now and then might alleviate some of that concern, but I'm still open to other options,other than a mallet!) If you now of any other alternatives, speak up!

Thanks,

Monte

 

[billmo]

Monte, I use the Lee "nut cracker" as you described to do exactly what you are wanting to do and it works fine. I kind of did a few trial runs with it in my loading room before I actually took it in the woods and saw that if you make sure to bump the stop completely and with the same amount of pressure it works great. Also, I made sure the lock ring on my die was very tight. I have been doing this for a couple of years now and have had good results. I hope this helps. Bill

 

[treeman]

one more for the nut cracker. they work just fine for seating bullets.______treeman

 

[Winchester69]

I have a pair of really big ChanneLok pliers that are 16" long, 4" wide, 3/4" deep and would pack flat. Should work fine with hand dies if you pad the jaws.

Harbor Freight or Northern Hydraulic may have a sweet deal on them. :love:

If you know of any other alternatives, speak up!

Loud enough?
.

 

[boogershooter]

I hope I dont get laughed out of here,but a gunsmith showed me a Wilson hand seater 15 or so years ago,and Ive been useing them since? Just takes a little tricep strength.Are these long outdated or what?

 

[alf]

Monte,

You didn't say whether you're using 7/8x 14 or Wilson style dies.

The base on my older Sinclair arbor press is only 5"x4".
If you took it apart it would almost fit in you pocket.

For the other style, why not the RCBS Partner press?

Al

 

[memilanuk]

FWIW... I've got boths - a stainless Wilson hand-die w/ micrometer head, as well as Redding Competition and Forster Ultra 7/8x14tpi dies.

Winchester69: and here I thought *I* was a redneck. Using water pump pliers on a seater die...

boogershooter: using a Wilson die as a true 'hand' operation is an option, but I'd rather have some mechanical back up, I guess. Depends on neck tension being used, I would suppose, as to how well/easily it would work.

alf: The Sinclair might be an option... anybody want to buy a Hart arbor press? The RCBS Partner,I have one) is too big, and in my experience would require a base plate,removable) and a c-clamp,more space and weight) to fasten it down.

gunamonth: Very interesting. I had not thought of one of those. I have a couple handfuls of them down in the shop; may have to try one out. Possibly one of the lighter weight options, even counting the Wilson die.

All,

Thanks for the ideas and keep 'em coming. I suppose I need to add the caveat that I'm going to be working with a fair number of cases here... 800-900 or so, depending on what the final count is for all the practices, matches, etc. plus how much I decide to take for 'just in case'. Some ideas might be perfectly functional, but just a tad unwieldy when working with that many rounds.

Thanks,

Monte

 

[Winchester69]

Worth every penny you paid for it.

It was the Harbor Freight thing, right? I'll bet $$K&M$$ will sell you some that will make you feel really good about using them.

If you had a third hand, you could use a C-clamp. Not as crude as putting the dies on the ground and standing on them.
.

 

[memilanuk]

Not so much the HF thing,nearest one is several hours away) as I've seen way too much stuff get mangled courtesy of vise grips or other large pliers that slipped...

 

[Winchester69]

I thought the idea was inspired. :,
You established a set of parameters, and I responded to your plea. Fully compliant to your request, and I get brushed off and insulted. :tounge:

I love these damned smiley things.

Hope you find a solution to your liking. :idea:
.

 

[memilanuk]

Do they have Harbor Freight stores in England?

 

[Winchester69]

Is this a trick question?
.

 

[memilanuk]

More tongue in cheek. England is where I need to do this circus act at, and I figured if I could buy a set over there it might save on baggage, etc.

In all seriousness, I'll probably give the Lee Hand press + threaded micrometer seater a good testing, and go with either that or some sort of light weight arbor press... those two sound the best of the options presented thus far.

 

[Winchester69]

I can't disagree with your choice of the hand press. Your initial mention of the arbor press oriented me toward the hand dies. I brought up the HF thing because I know the price of the "pliers;" another arbor press might be cheaper.

I can appreciate your assessment of universal tools, but a lot of the downside lies in the hands of the mechanic. The one time I needed them, they were a treasure. And, no damage. Not the first tool I tried, though.
.

 

[Forum Boss]

Monte--If you are using a Wilson seating die, you can seat the bullets with just the die and a rubber or leather-headed mallet.

I've done it... but I certainly feel I get a smoother and more consistent seat using my K&M Arbor.

 

[Winchester69]

I'm still open to other options,other than a mallet!)

They just don't read! Failing of our educational system. :nono:
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[Area51]

The Robert Hart arbor press.
Accept no substitutes.

http://www.rwhart.com/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=1319467.32260*XG7EN8&p_id=RWH-F-H16&xm=on&ppinc=search2

The Harrel is also a top pick.
have both, they are top rate, the Hart is sexier and heavier, very stable and very touchy feely nice.

 

[memilanuk]

Ah... maybe you didn't read the whole thread?

Key considerations for this particular application is light weight and compact storage for air line travel.

I've got a Hart arbor press,also already mentioned). Compact it ain't, and light weight it most definitely ain't. Most of the 'virtues' of the Hart are actually vices in this instance.

 

[Winchester69]

They just don't read! Failing of our educational system. :nono:

I took note of the QE2 being on her final voyage. Have you considered taking advantage of traveling by ship while it's still available? From your side of the world, besides being able to pack your entire loading facility along with you if you wish, you will be able to surf in Hawaii, plink pirates from deckside, gamble in Monte Carlo and chase hookers on the Riviera en route to the Balmy Isle.

Just a thought.
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