RCBS new bullet seater -- aiming low

[garandman]

You can also buy a blank die than have it chambered with your reamer to exactly match the chamber in your rifle I don’t think anyone making dies today could be more accurate than that

Good idea.

 

[Zero333]

The only reason why I would ever want a die with a window is for those tiny 17 and 20 cal bullet. Even 22 cal flat base bullets are easier loaded through the window.

Otherwise RCBS needs to rethink what "Match" means to accuracy obsessed shooters.

 

[338 dude]

My first set of dies in .223 (and I am still .223) were RCBS Competition.

As above, a lot of run out observed after I got a tool for run out. Next purchase was a set of Redding dies. Who knows what the future will bring, but the only RCBS product I still use is the lube and lube pad, sometimes. I learned my lesson. Is the window convenient? Yes. Does it make it a better way to do things? Yes, If and only if, you have a tendency to leave your fingers in the path of danger when operating the ram.

Try some Hornaday one shot spray lube it is so quick and easy you’ll never go back then you will be rid of RCBS Products all together

 

[Zero333]

As said above....

Just make sure you get the case lube, cause there are other One-Shot products. And follow the directions on the can.

 

[LGKLAS]

You can also buy a blank die than have it chambered with your reamer to exactly match the chamber in your rifle I don’t think anyone making dies today could be more accurate than that

Where and from whom do you buy a blank die? Sounds like a great idea.

 

[newbieshooter]

Where and from whom do you buy a blank die? Sounds like a great idea.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading...-top-bullet-seater-dies-blanks-prod88118.aspx

https://lewilson.com/stainless-bullet-seater-blank-with-micrometer/

 

[LGKLAS]

thanx newbieshooter, though I was interested in finding a blank die to make a FL sizing die from.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

thanx newbieshooter, though I was interested in finding a blank die to make a FL sizing die from.

Newlon makes the best, but you need a sizing reamer that matches your exact finish reamer then you need to get them hardened. Its hard to stomach a $300+ sizing die when whidden will make one that works perfect for a fraction of the price and a fraction of the time

 

[Kurz]

Vickerman and it's predecessor made the original design of the inline micrometer bullet seater with the 'window'. I found one of the originals at a swap meet somewhere and I've had it for 30 years at least, maybe longer. I liked the design well enough that I started making my own version which I now use most of the time. When time is a short though I like to use the Whidden and sometimes the Forster. Warner's are incredible but so are the prices and the wait time.

 

[LGKLAS]

Newlon makes the best, but you need a sizing reamer that matches your exact finish reamer then you need to get them hardened. Its hard to stomach a $300+ sizing die when whidden will make one that works perfect for a fraction of the price and a fraction of the time

Thanx Dusty. That was my thinking too. That for less money, etc, I could send 3 cases to any number of die makers and have a FL die sized accordingly. And am having a rifle built and my rifle builder already has enough to do for me! (Y)

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Thanx Dusty. That was my thinking too. That for less money, etc, I could send 3 cases to any number of die makers and have a FL die sized accordingly. And am having a rifle built and my rifle builder already has enough to do for me! (Y)

Not sure what caliber but theres not any number of custom die makers. Whidden is about your only choice. Certain calibers you can get one from harrels that works but its not custom made for your case

 

[LGKLAS]

Hornady will do it, Dusty, at least I was told they did. I think Forster also. Anyway, until this thread came up I was figuring on using Whidden, which is what I will end up doing.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Hornady will do it, Dusty, at least I was told they did. I think Forster also. Anyway, until this thread came up I was figuring on using Whidden, which is what I will end up doing.

They will hone a neck for a certain size, but in the end even if they did you would still end up with a hornady or forster die

 

[JimSC]

Just out of curiosity how does a seating die cause runout ? Mine is being forced into a neck that has a inside diameter .003 smaller than the bullets diameter with at least .2 or more of the bullet being encased in the neck. Common sense tells me that the bullet will follow the path of least resistance when being seated. The die does nothing more than push the bullet into the case neck, the bullet will naturally align with the neck brass. Ever try to force a bullet into alignment? It takes a lot of force to move that bullet .001

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Just out of curiosity how does a seating die cause runout ? Mine is being forced into a neck that has a inside diameter .003 smaller than the bullets diameter with at least .2 or more of the bullet being encased in the neck. Common sense tells me that the bullet will follow the path of least resistance when being seated. The die does nothing more than push the bullet into the case neck, the bullet will naturally align with the neck brass. Ever try to force a bullet into alignment? It takes a lot of force to move that bullet .001

Runout can usually be traced to the sizing die- not the press nor the seater. Like you said the seater rarely influences it. Ive used the same seater with different sizing dies that went from .007 runout to zero

 

[JimSC]

Runout can usually be traced to the sizing die- not the press nor the seater. Like you said the seater rarely influences it. Ive used the same seater with different sizing dies that went from .007 runout to zero

I have used everything from Lee to Wilson and really noticed no difference in average runout but for those little 53 or 55 gn .223's the RCBS prevented many a pinched finger with that window. I do prefer my Wilsons and a arbor press for the "feel" factor but always check every bullet whether practice or match for runout and had the same results you have. No matter which seater I use some will have zero runout and others .004 or more