They are worth every penny. Set up your rifle as-if you are setting up a sniper rifle.The snipers goal (one shot-one kill) The mic die helps "fine tune" the load, making it possible to achieve.
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Are micrometer seater dies worth it?
- Thread starter Tgunz64
- Start date
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Frank Kalisz
Well-Known Member
I decided the micrometer wasn't worth it for me. Amazon price for micrometer Forster Seater for my caliber is $88. Corresponding non-micrometer Forster Benchrest Seater is $56 - and I got mine cheaper on EBay. Both dies are the same in all aspects other than micrometer.
I have been reloading for 40+ years. Started with simple RCBS 2 die sets, they worked fine when just loading one rifle with few bullet changes. Over time I now load a variety of cartridges with constant experimentation to refine/improve loads. To the point - the micrometer seater has become my go to on almost everything I load now as it takes the guesswork out of how much to turn a screw thread to get desired seating depth. I believe a quicker & more accurate method. As the old line goes buy once - cry once ! Just my two cents.
I use the non micrometer Forester benchrest die too. Just print out a piece of paper with large and small hash marks and tape on for reference. can even add numbers if you want. Each hash mark in the pic is about .002 .
sendero21
Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2013
- Messages
- 21
I never really found much of a difference, my Lee dead length Bullet seating dies are as accurate as my Forester Micrometer die in 30/06, or my RCBS Competition Seater in 308.
There is usually a little difference in seating depth, regardless of what you use, due to neck tension, etc. best way is probably batch the loads, into groups and adjust the die for the desired seating depth. I guess it's about how you use a tool rather then the tool itself.
D in lv
Member
Over the life of a barrel, it changes. Reloading component availability changes. Preferred bullets change. It seems that loads need to be tweaked for one reason or another especially if a barrel gets alot of use. Moving the seating depth a thousandth or two is not only nesecary it maybe the easiest way to help correct problems that come up.
Opinions vary on how important concentricity is, but a good sleeve type seating mechanism does help to minimize runout.
The question is always how much one is willing to spend for that last 1/4-1/2" of accuracy. Each range trip involves at least $40 of ammo. Micrometer seaters are a one time cost spread over at least the life of the barrel, longer if you like the cartridge. It's worth it to me.
Opinions vary on how important concentricity is, but a good sleeve type seating mechanism does help to minimize runout.
The question is always how much one is willing to spend for that last 1/4-1/2" of accuracy. Each range trip involves at least $40 of ammo. Micrometer seaters are a one time cost spread over at least the life of the barrel, longer if you like the cartridge. It's worth it to me.
jdavistx
Well-Known Member
It all depends on what distance you're shooting.
Frank Kalisz
Well-Known Member
I think it all boils down to whether it's worth it for you. If (like me) you just pick a couple bullet combinations, establish best bullet lengths for your purpose, and make a lot of cartridges with those bullet lengths - I don't think it's worth cost of a micrometer. But if you need to continuously make changes as some describe here - maybe a micrometer would help for that.
I personally think other things are more important - like my Mitutoyu dial caliper, bullet/headspace comparators & OAL gauge, magnetospeed chronometer, and competition shell holders. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I personally think other things are more important - like my Mitutoyu dial caliper, bullet/headspace comparators & OAL gauge, magnetospeed chronometer, and competition shell holders. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Frank Kalisz
Well-Known Member
Seater dies are typically specific to one cartridge.
Frank Kalisz
Well-Known Member
The seater is one of the few Lee products I do not recommend. My Lee seater stem didn't fit my bullets well so I had inconsistent lengths, and I had problems with their custom stem service. I am much happier with my Forster seater now because it grabs the entire cartridge for better alignment during seating.
They are very well worth the added cost! And if you use Hornady dies, you can add-on their micrometer.
I prefer the Forster and Redding.
I prefer the Forster and Redding.
Tgunz64
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2017
- Messages
- 278
I have some Hornady Dies but I think RCBS seem like better quality. I saw rcbs has a micrometer for about $57
My Hornady dies work just fine with 6 & 6.5 Creedmoor. What they don't do is, not, work with VLD bullets, their stems will not work. I use a Forster Ultra Micrometer seater dies for each: 6mm 110 SMK, 6.5mm 140 Berger VLD & .257 131 Blackjack Ace.
