VLD Seating die?

[justinp61]

Thanks guys, I finally located some H4350 and today made the hour each way drive to pick it up. If the weather ever breaks (-10 tonight) hopefully I'll have some test loads. I ordered the parts to convert my 22-250 RCBS micrometer seater die to 260 as I have several bullets to try.

 

[CA_Keydet]

Yeah. Won't hurt anything. I swap out the regular seating stems on my Redding dies for the VLD ones as a matter of course.

How exactly did you swap out the seating stem? I unscrew the Redding micrometer, pull out the spring, and then the entire stem assembly comes out. But, how do you actually swap the two? Pull the 1/2 moon clip out first? Does the stem unscrew? Just pull it off the main assembly? Forgive my ignorance - first set of Redding competition dies, and I have Berger VLD .308s. Bought the VLD stem...just can't figure out how to actually swap it out. Thanks!

 

[hogpatrol]

How exactly did you swap out the seating stem? I unscrew the Redding micrometer, pull out the spring, and then the entire stem assembly comes out. But, how do you actually swap the two? Pull the 1/2 moon clip out first? Does the stem unscrew? Just pull it off the main assembly? Forgive my ignorance - first set of Redding competition dies, and I have Berger VLD .308s. Bought the VLD stem...just can't figure out how to actually swap it out. Thanks!

Turn it upside down. It will fall out.

 

[wildcat284]

Ive been using the Forster Ultimate micrometer seater die for my 6.5mm SAUM. I'd highly recommend as they don't leave any marks on the Berger VLD's ive been loading.

 

[group therapy]

just to throw in my 2 cents, i have a set of whidden dies in 6.5 creedmoor like they came from the factory and when i checked the oal (to the ogive) they were identical ( dead on to the .001). i measured 11 of them in a row, and like i said, they were identical. and for the record, i have never missed, i hit the dirt every time i pull the trigger

 

[CTK]

I just ordered a 6.5 and 7mm VLD seating stem. Went with the "standard" length rather than "long". went on the assumption that the "long" was for the really long VLD bullets. I have not had any problems with the stem that came with my Redding Competition dies. Redding told me that the VLD bullet could damage the regular seating die. Have not seen this happen. I do get the slight rings on the bullet. What will I gain from these new seating stems? I also threw in a set of Competition shell holders. Not sure if these are going to improve my reloading experience but figured I would try them.

 

[Iowa Fox]

OP,,I use Wison chamber type seater with their VLD seater stem,,,zero problems and no bullet damage,,,Roger

Roger- What sizing die are you using? How much neck tension if your using bushings? Thanks

 

[expiper]

Roger- What sizing die are you using? How much neck tension if your using bushings? Thanks

Foxy,,,I use Redding type S full length dies ,,,,and use a "WILSON" bushing in it .003" smaller than my loaded rounds,,,the reason I like Wilson bushings is the Redding ones are not predictable as to what size they may be ,,,the usually run .002" smaller than marked,,,the wilson one are exact every time,,,,if you buy enuff redding bushings you "may" get one that is right and use it ,,,but I am not gona buy a coffee can full of hi dollar Redding bushings just to get the right one,,,,,,if your bushing is .003 smaller than the loaded round ,then upon sizing the brass springs to ~.002" of tension when seating the bullet,,,I use VLD seater stems in all my Wilson seaters,,,,the beauty of seating with an arbor press and Wilson seater is the feel you get of the tension ,,,if one is too loose then you can feel it,,,,I hope this helps,,,,Roger

 

[RustyPin]

Justin, can I use the 22-250 6.5 AI set to turn 22 Nosler into 6.5?

 

[Iowa Fox]

Foxy,,,I use Redding type S full length dies ,,,,and use a "WILSON" bushing in it .003" smaller than my loaded rounds,,,the reason I like Wilson bushings is the Redding ones are not predictable as to what size they may be ,,,the usually run .002" smaller than marked,,,the wilson one are exact every time,,,,if you buy enuff redding bushings you "may" get one that is right and use it ,,,but I am not gona buy a coffee can full of hi dollar Redding bushings just to get the right one,,,,,,if your bushing is .003 smaller than the loaded round ,then upon sizing the brass springs to ~.002" of tension when seating the bullet,,,I use VLD seater stems in all my Wilson seaters,,,,the beauty of seating with an arbor press and Wilson seater is the feel you get of the tension ,,,if one is too loose then you can feel it,,,,I hope this helps,,,,Roger

Roger, Thanks a million for the detailed reply especially about the bushings. Last year I had a heck of a time with my Wilson seater using the VLD stem. I know I had to much neck tension but a guy could go broke buying bushings. I'll be at it again here in a couple of weeks.

 

[expiper]

Roger, Thanks a million for the detailed reply especially about the bushings. Last year I had a heck of a time with my Wilson seater using the VLD stem. I know I had to much neck tension but a guy could go broke buying bushings. I'll be at it again here in a couple of weeks.

Foxy,,,great,,,dont forget that you can tighten up the Wilson brand bushings .0005" (half a thou.)by turning them upside down(numbers down),,,its like getting two for one !!!...Roger

 

[justinp61]

Justin, can I use the 22-250 6.5 AI set to turn 22 Nosler into 6.5?

I'm not following you. The RCBS micrometer seating dies for a 22-250 and the 260 use the same body and micrometer. All that has to be changed is the seater and sleeve. It works well with the VLD's.