Micrometer Seater useful?

nksmfamjp · Nov 24, 2024

Are you getting value out of the micrometer on a seating die?

Especially on a Hornady or Forster die which uses the same die construction for micrometer and non=micrometer dies….

I have both types and sort of value the micrometer, but in a Forster die, I'm questioning why.

quandary · Nov 24, 2024

I use Forster micrometer seating dies. they are fantastic and very easy to use. would not use a "regular" seater die unless I had no other choice.

Recon$$ · Nov 24, 2024

Only use micrometer dies.

Phil Rizzo · Nov 24, 2024

Ahh the good ole days….
Maybe an eighth of a turn? No change.
Go half that much again…that's too much, put that one aside for a fouler.
Repeat .

MagnumManiac · Nov 24, 2024

All of my precision, F-class and varmint rigs use micrometer dies.
I have several cases that don't use them, wish they did, but for various reasons they are unavailable for those cartridges.
I have 5 for my 300WM, 2 for my 6.5x47 and 3 for my 264WM, these are custom. I wish Redding & Forster would add more cartridges to their line-ups.
I have both Redding and Forster, Whidden as well for my 416 Rigby based wildcats.
I like to set them and forget them, they are labeled for which bullet and CBTO they are for, and which rifle.
I value them far more, especially when I can't get them…

Cheers.

Beluebow · Nov 24, 2024

Wilson micrometer seater.

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

Quicksilver338 · Nov 24, 2024

I don't even know why they offer seating does that aren't micrometer adjustment anymore…

nksmfamjp · Nov 24, 2024

Recon$$ said:
Only use micrometer dies.

Why?

Phil Rizzo said:
Ahh the good ole days….
Maybe an eighth of a turn? No change.
Go half that much again…that's too much, put that one aside for a fouler.
Repeat .

Are you not able to adjust a regular die in 2-5 adjustments to get to a setting? I usually figure out what one seater turn is and write that down. Then start long and get to just right in about 3 adjustments. With a micrometer, I find I need 2 adjustments. Am I doing it different?

Actually with micrometer dies, my OCD often kicks in and I try to get zero to be touching the lands. This can take a while!!

MagnumManiac said:
I wish Redding & Forster would add more cartridges to their line-ups.

This cannot be said often enough. In my opinion, they make about the best dies available. So I need them to make dies in every possible caliber, including the custom ones I dream up! lol.

Recon$$ · Nov 24, 2024

nksmfamjp said:
Why?

More repeatable and easy to get where I want.

lancetkenyon · Nov 24, 2024

Micrometer for all of MY personal loading.
When you get that 1 out of 5 rounds that is .001" too long, you know EXACTLY where to turn and reseat to get it perfect.

Yes, I am that anal about my loads.

MagnumManiac · Nov 24, 2024

lancetkenyon said:
Micrometer for all of MY personal loading.
When you get that 1 out of 5 rounds that is .001" too long, you know EXACTLY where to turn and reseat to get it perfect.

Yes, I am that anal about my loads.

Me too, that's why I have seperate seater dies for all 5 of my 300WM rifles, all 3 of my 264WM rifles, both my 6.5x47 rifles, both of my 338WM rifles and my 3 25-06 rifles.
I wouldn't do it any other way, I hate messing with them once they are set.

Cheers.

tomcat818 · Nov 24, 2024

nksmfamjp said:
Are you getting value out of the micrometer on a seating die?

Especially on a Hornady or Forster die which uses the same die construction for micrometer and non=micrometer dies….

I have both types and sort of value the micrometer, but in a Forster die, I'm questioning why.

I've used both prefer the micrometer adjusted seating dies and prefer the Redding Type S 'Elite' over Hornady Match Grade. I equate it to a machinist turning a knob with no reference marks and not knowing with any certainty if too much material has been removed. I hit the target CBTO in about half the time and don't seat to deep hardly at all.

oldfortyfiveauto · Nov 24, 2024

Use a sharpie to make a line from the middle of seater stem to the outer edge. Calculate the travel per turn based on the threads per inch. It ain't rocket science to adjust to one or two thousands using the line you drew.

Phil Rizzo · Nov 24, 2024

oldfortyfiveauto said:
Use a sharpie to make a line from the middle of seater stem to the outer edge. Calculate the travel per turn based on the threads per inch. It ain't rocket science to adjust to one or two thousands using the line you drew.

I let somebody else do that part…and it's got numbers lasered in.
LE Wilson Mic seaters are hard to beat, as is the SAC from what I've seen. I've used Redding, RCBS and Whidden also.
I used a Hornady mic seater once, and from then the countdown was on until the new replacement arrived. None too soon!

Micrometer Seater useful?

nksmfamjp

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quandary

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Recon$$

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Phil Rizzo

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MagnumManiac

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Beluebow

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Quicksilver338

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nksmfamjp

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Recon$$

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lancetkenyon

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MagnumManiac

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tomcat818

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oldfortyfiveauto

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Phil Rizzo

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