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Non scientific test of several 308 seating dies

Greg, I think your runout has far more to do with the press & die setup than the dies themselves. I bet I could take any of the dies that you have there and reduce the seated bullet runout to near zero. The fact that all the dies have similar runout confirms, in my mind at least, that you do not have a die problem. Also, the differences in runout between the dies is not statistically signficant, based on the sample size shown in your picture. Translation, they all seem to work about the same.

Also, keep in mind it's a cumulative process. So, brass with .0025 runout is going to show up as seated bullets with similar or greater runout. Personally, I find the better commercial seaters to all be capable of seating bullets perfectly. I did a test years back with hundreds each seated on a Forster, Redding, Wilson inline. There was no difference in their ability to seat bullets well.

Sizing dies are where I find big differences in the end result. If you want to learn more, measure the runout on your fired brass, then on sized cases, then on seated bullets. If you see things improving at each step, then you have a good setup. Major areas to focus on are quality of the sizing die, your die/press setup.....that's the big one for the seaters. Now, a Wilson works well by default because it is a press-free setup. But that does not mean you can't get a Redding or Forster to work just as well.....float the die.

Are you testing on new brass? New brass is not going to be very straight, but it will be after 2 firings, assuming your chamber is straight. Best to test your seater when starting with brass that has minimal runout.

Scott:
I'm all ears. Back in 1982 I loaded some 30-06 150 gr sp projos using my rockchucker and basic RCBS dies and had less run out then what I'm experiencing now. So obviously 35 years and a pile of "nice" equipment hasn't gained me jack.

Did you check out my original thread?

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/308-concentricity-issue-possibly-seating-die.3921892/

/Greg
 
Scott:
I'm all ears. Back in 1982 I loaded some 30-06 150 gr sp projos using my rockchucker and basic RCBS dies and had less run out then what I'm experiencing now. So obviously 35 years and a pile of "nice" equipment hasn't gained me jack.

Did you check out my original thread?

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/308-concentricity-issue-possibly-seating-die.3921892/

/Greg
I read your post. So brass looks good and seater has lots of runout. Have you tried different seaters? I think you have and runout is similar with all dies right? So, what does that tell you? I doubt all the dies have problems. float the seater by putting an o-ring under it. If that doesnt work, try a different press.
 
I read your post. So brass looks good and seater has lots of runout. Have you tried different seaters? I think you have and runout is similar with all dies right? So, what does that tell you? I doubt all the dies have problems. float the seater by putting an o-ring under it. If that doesnt work, try a different press.

Forster Co Ax. Tell me where to put the o-ring?
 
I don't think you have any evidence other than Lee's marketing propaganda that floating the seater does a thing.

I read your post. So brass looks good and seater has lots of runout. Have you tried different seaters? I think you have and runout is similar with all dies right? So, what does that tell you? I doubt all the dies have problems. float the seater by putting an o-ring under it. If that doesnt work, try a different press.
 
The O ring on the bottom of the Lee lock rings lets the die square itself to the press threads. In order to work correctly the lock ring should not be tightened to the point where the metal part contacts the press. For whatever reason, I have observed small improvements in loaded round concentricity by using the Lee rings.

One thing that few have looked at is how well the shell holder is centered on the die, when using a "conventional" press that has a ram. I friend has modified the top of the ram on his Rock Chucker and shell holders to allow more shell holder float. Some time after he did that MEC brought out its single stage metallic reloading press (rifle and pistol). Its ram top allows some shell holder float to take place. My friend saw some improvement in concentricity after doing his mods.
 
All the o ring does is correct for the thread loosens in the dies if the case fits in the die seating should be be straight to start with . I feel straightness is a product of sizeing rather then seating . Larry
Larry,
If you read the article that I posted a link to, you'll see that German Salazar was referencing sizing... not seating.
 

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