School me on inline seating dies

[MikeMcCasland]

Gents,

Looking to pick up an inline seater, and potentially a hydro-press (for sorting match ammo); really just trying to be more productive with my range trips, and do depth work on-site. That part is easy enough to figure out.

That said, I have very limited experience with inline seating dies, and had a few questions.

1.) I'm running extended freebore chambers, and heavy for caliber bullets; will standard micrometer dies/tops work for this config, or do I need something custom for the longer depth? Nothing crazy here, 200.20X out of a .308 @ .180fb / 223 90vld @ .168 / 6mm 110s @ .120.

2.) Any particular die preferable to others? I see calibrated dies etc., but I'm not sure how important that is. I need the micrometer adjustments to be accurate, and I'd like the ammo to be relatively concentric (as straight as a Whidden/Redding/Forster comp seater would produce).

3.) I assume really any would work on a K&M standard arbor, and a hydro-press, yes?

Appreciate the help in advance.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Sandstorm]

I just ordered a 21st Century Hydro press. Its a nice unit but the wait time is 6 to 8 weeks.
Im sure K&N will work just as well as they make great stuff too.
Inline seating for my 284 Shehane is also a new endeavor for me...but i got time as my rifle is still with my Smith for another
who knows... could be a while.
Im using Wilson seating dies with micrometer top's

 

[NA Woody]

Mike,
Check out the Sinclair micrometer top click adjustable seating dies. I believe these are made by Wilson. They cost more than a Wilson Inline seater but have accurate click adjustments that are repeatable.
I am using the regular Wilson seater dies Currently.... but if I needed another one it would be the Sinclair.
Just google Sinclair micrometer top seating die and it will show up.

 

[PatMiles]

The Sinclair/Wilson seating dies (sold through Brownells only) are the way to go. A bit more expensive than the standard Wilson micrometer seaters but WELL worth the difference in my humble opinion. Click adjustable without having to futz around with a set screw.
You should have no problems with your extended freebore chambers, and heavy for caliber bullets, plenty of adjustment for zeroing. If, per chance they don't work just return them. Check with Brownells tech folks first if you have any concerns.

 

[Medic505]

Be sure you order a VLD Drift/ Seating Stem. It works well with the bullets you shoot.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Thanks guys. Getting my order placed!

 

[Sandstorm]

Thanks for the Sinclair info fellas...appreciated.
John

 

[1911mag]

I use Wilson in line seaters and all the competition barrels the same reamer is used for seater die too. Just by the blank and gun smith can cut die along with the barrel.

 

[whatwind?]

I use Wilson in line seaters and all the competition barrels the same reamer is used for seater die too. Just by the blank and gun smith can cut die along with the barrel.

this, buy seater blanks from Sinclair with micro adj tops and have gunsmith use your reamer

 

[ljmontano]

If you order from the factory on line you a little and you can spec out the VLD stem at no extra charge

 

[M14AMU]

WILSON!!

 

[AlNyhus]

Having used many types, my preference is the Wilson with the non-micrometer seating adjustment.
Good shootin' -Al

 

[jackieschmidt]

The object of any quality seating die is to produce straight rounds with the bullet set at the proper seating depth.

Any quality Die that completely encapsulates the case before the bullet touches the seating stem should do this.

That is one reason I prefer Redding.

one tip when using dies such as Forester or Redding. Do not rely on the break over of the press linkage in seating. Set the die so the bottom of the die acts as a positive stop against the shell holder and adjust the seating stem accordingly.

 

[Jordan Wickham]

Guess it's too late but you can order direct from Wilson and it comes with whichever drift stem you want. Ends up being a little cheaper than getting the die and stem from Brownells. Wilson also sells blanks that you can have chambered by the fired reamer of your particular reamers.

 

[Jordan Wickham]

One thing you may want to consider is I find (and I think Wilson says too) that compressed loads don't do well with the die.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Circling back to this thread to provide an update. I ended up ordering multiple micrometer dies (both the Wilson branded and Sinclair).

I don't know how I ever did without these. I've worked with them at the range once, and it made depth testing a breeze.

Perhaps more importantly, they hit their intended depth pretty much 100% of the time.

Jackie - That's a good tip on the seating. I tried it before my inline seaters arrived, and it cut down quite a bit on variation.

Appreciate the help, as always.

-Mike