Redding Competition Seater

[Nicoli7153]

Just tried out my new Redding Competition Seater die in .308 with 168 Berger VLDs, once fired Lapua Brass FL sized.

Getting quite a wide swing (.020) in the COL of the finished product.

Any suggestions?

 

[ballison]

Do you have the regular stem (usually what comes with the die), or the VLD stem? I have 260 and 308 Redding Comp seating dies and replaced both stems with the VLD version. Give Sinclairs a call and they can tell you what to use based on the bullet you're shooting. They come in 1" and 1-1/2".

http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/reloading-dies/replacement-parts-upgrades/redding-competition-long-vld-seater-stems-redding-competition-long-vld-seater-stems-6-5-mm-sku749-002-248-33937-66049.aspx

 

[michaelnel]

I agree on the VLD seating stem. But when you are measuring, are you measuring base to the tip of the bullet's nose, or base to ogive? If you measure to the nose you will always get quite a bit of variation.

 

[Nicoli7153]

Will give VLD stem a try. When I asked the rep. at Redding he didn't think it was needed.

Have heard of measuring off ogive but not familiar with what equipment or technique I would need to do it. I had heard that Hornady makes a kit. If there are better quality options I'd like to know about them.

Thanks

 

[Patch700]

Two things you can do to alleviate your problems.

The first would be to ignore what the rep said , you specifically told them you were using a VLD bullet and yet they said you probably don't need their stem that is designed for use with VLD bullets...get the proper stem.

Secondly , as mentioned above you need to measure at the ogive on the bullet as opposed to the tip.. the tip of the bullet will not be the same length bullet to bullet so that would explain the majority of your issue.

Look up Hornady over all length gauge... That will put you on the rite track.

 

[Nicoli7153]

Okay thanks for the help!