Which Redding VLD seater stem... Long or standard w.22 cal Berger 88.5

[A5Scott]

Hey,

I was wondering which VLD stem for the Berger 22 cal 88.5 hybrid for my Redding competition seater?... the long or standard?

55722 Redding VLD Competition Seating Die Stem 22 Caliber

55722 Redding VLD Competition Seating Die Stem 22 Caliber

www.accuratearmsandammo.com

55742 Redding VLD Competition Seating Die Stem 22 Caliber

55742 Redding VLD Competition Seating Die Stem 22 Caliber

www.accuratearmsandammo.com

Thanks,
Scott

 

[RustyInBend]

Pretty easy to figure out ... if you can seat properly with adjustment room to spare on the die micrometer, then you're good. If you can't, and end up dialing the micrometer way down, then you need the longer stem.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

I think a lot will depend on the case size! And how far in or out you want to seat them.

Frank

 

[A5Scott]

sorry, forgot to mention with 223 Remington.

Scott

 

[47WillysGuy]

Hey,

I was wondering which VLD stem for the Berger 22 cal 88.5 hybrid for my Redding competition seater?... the long or standard?

55722 Redding VLD Competition Seating Die Stem 22 Caliber

55722 Redding VLD Competition Seating Die Stem 22 Caliber

www.accuratearmsandammo.com

55742 Redding VLD Competition Seating Die Stem 22 Caliber

55742 Redding VLD Competition Seating Die Stem 22 Caliber

www.accuratearmsandammo.com

Thanks,
Scott

Create the very straightest dummy round(minimal runout) and apply release agent to the bullet, insert your stem of choice with enough mixture of JB weld into the press, raise the dummy round to the stem, let harden over night.

Make sure the stem does not seat on the meplat, if it does, drill it out so the bullet contacts the stem.

 

[Ned Ludd]

If I am understanding your question correctly, the difference between the two seating stems is their length. Both stems are "VLD" stems with a deeper hole and bevel around the opening appropriate for use with VLD-style bullets that have a very long nose. The length of the stem is about the adjustment range of the seating die micrometer and the desired length of the loaded rounds. I always use the "standard" length stem in my .223 Rem seating dies, but I think you could probably use either one and simply re-adjust the seating die micrometer. The potential issue is that one might exceeed the adjustment range of the seating die micrometer if not using the "correct" stem. In a worst-case scenario, this might necessitate the use of shim(s) under the die if the stem is too long for the chosen bullet/cartridge/die, or render the die difficult to use if the stem is too short. A simplistic way to think about which stem might be relative to bullet length. In a given cartridge, the long stem might be more appropriate for really short bullets, the standard stem more appropriate for longer bullets. Of course, that is an over-simplification as there is more to this than just bullet length, but it's one way to think about the principle involved.

As mentioned, I use the standard VLD stem (#55722) in my Redding Type S seating dies for loading Berger 90 VLDs, Hornady 88 ELDMs, and couple other long/heavy .224" bullets. I've checked the seating die stem hole depth relative to bullet nose length and I may not have to use a VLD stem for these bullets, but I do anyhow. According to Berger's website bullet dimensional measurements, the 90 VLD base-to-ogive dimension is ~.037" longer than the 85.5 Hybrid. Further, my Redding seating die micrometer is set well above "2" when seating 90 VLDs at ~.020" off the lands (COAL ~ 2.6"+), so there should be plenty of adjustment range in the seating die micrometer for the 85.5 (the seating die mic has over 0.2" downward travel left).

Nonetheless, my advice in this situation would be to call Redding and pose the question to one of their technical staff. It has been a long time, but I have spoken in the past to the folks Redding about this exact issue and they were VERY helpful.

 

[A5Scott]

If I am understanding your question correctly, the difference between the two seating stems is their length. Both stems are "VLD" stems with a deeper hole and bevel around the opening appropriate for use with VLD-style bullets that have a very long nose. The length of the stem is about the adjustment range of the seating die micrometer and the desired length of the loaded rounds. I always use the "standard" length stem in my .223 Rem seating dies, but I think you could probably use either one and simply re-adjust the seating die micrometer. The potential issue is that one might exceeed the adjustment range of the seating die micrometer if not using the "correct" stem. In a worst-case scenario, this might necessitate the use of shim(s) under the die if the stem is too long for the chosen bullet/cartridge/die, or render the die difficult to use if the stem is too short. A simplistic way to think about which stem might be relative to bullet length. In a given cartridge, the long stem might be more appropriate for really short bullets, the standard stem more appropriate for longer bullets. Of course, that is an over-simplification as there is more to this than just bullet length, but it's one way to think about the principle involved.

As mentioned, I use the standard VLD stem (#55722) in my Redding Type S seating dies for loading Berger 90 VLDs, Hornady 88 ELDMs, and couple other long/heavy .224" bullets. I've checked the seating die stem hole depth relative to bullet nose length and I may not have to use a VLD stem for these bullets, but I do anyhow. According to Berger's website bullet dimensional measurements, the 90 VLD base-to-ogive dimension is ~.037" longer than the 85.5 Hybrid. Further, my Redding seating die micrometer is set well above "2" when seating 90 VLDs at ~.020" off the lands (COAL ~ 2.6"+), so there should be plenty of adjustment range in the seating die micrometer for the 85.5 (the seating die mic has over 0.2" downward travel left).

Nonetheless, my advice in this situation would be to call Redding and pose the question to one of their technical staff. It has been a long time, but I have spoken in the past to the folks Redding about this exact issue and they were VERY helpful.

thanks so much for the responses...

Yes, the long and standard stems should work with almost any 22 cal VLD so I suppose the difference in length is to accommodate different cartridge brass lengths.

Ned, were you loading 223 Remington with the standard VLD stem? or a different cartridge.

I'm thinking the long stem since the 223 rem. case is short.
Redding is very helpful, I'll give them a call to see what they say.

Thanks again,
Scott

 

[Ned Ludd]

As I noted above, I was loading .223 Rem with 90 VLDs, 88 ELDMs, etc., using a Redding Type S seater die. I have a couple of these .223 Rem dies set up with the standard length VLD stem for F-TR rifles/loads (i.e. not the long stem). These bullets typically seat with the die mic set above "2". The mic on this die tops out a little above "3". Thus, I think you should have enough adjustment range to go with either stem length when seating the 85.5s. However, a call to Redding is a good idea. Please share their comments after you contact them, if you wouldn't mind. Best of luck with it!

 

[jepp2]

These bullets typically seat with the die mic set above "2". The mic on this die tops out a little above "3". Thus, I think you should have enough adjustment range to go with either stem length when seating the 85.5s

Are you using the hidden adjustment inside the cap?

I went with the long seater for my 20P and 32 gr bullets with zero FB. But I think I could get by with the standard if I use the internal adjustment.

I only mention it because some folks aren't aware of it. I wasn't for quite a while.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Are you using the hidden adjustment inside the cap?

I went with the long seater for my 20P and 32 gr bullets with zero FB. But I think I could get by with the standard if I use the internal adjustment.

I only mention it because some folks aren't aware of it. I wasn't for quite a while.

I had no idea there was a hidden adjustment inside the cap. That seems suspiciously similar to Underdog's ring, where he keeps hidden the super secret energy pill.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/857021004066620843/

Thanks for the tip! Now I'll just have to look under the cap. If you hear someone shouting loudly, "There's no need to fear, Underdog is here!", you'll know I found the hidden adjustment.

 

[jepp2]

I'll just have to look under the cap.

Under as inside the cap and runs the adjusting threaded rod below the cap.

 

[A5Scott]

As I noted above, I was loading .223 Rem with 90 VLDs, 88 ELDMs, etc., using a Redding Type S seater die. I have a couple of these .223 Rem dies set up with the standard length VLD stem for F-TR rifles/loads (i.e. not the long stem). These bullets typically seat with the die mic set above "2". The mic on this die tops out a little above "3". Thus, I think you should have enough adjustment range to go with either stem length when seating the 85.5s. However, a call to Redding is a good idea. Please share their comments after you contact them, if you wouldn't mind. Best of luck with it!

Ned, sorry I made you repeat yourself lol... yep .223 Rem...

So I called, and Redding said it depends on the die body length, which means brass cartridge length.

so, .223 Rem uses the long VLD stem for VLD bullets, and something like 22 Creedmoor uses the standard or shorter VLD stem.

Thanks again for the replies,

Scott