Micrometer Seater useful?

[Phil Rizzo]

Those threaded stems with the slot above the jam nut tore a lot of skin off my arms and wrists when carelessly reaching for something too.
I miss them about as much as temp sensitive powder.

 

[Jcook02]

All I use from target loads to hunting loads.

 

[Mikecr]

I'm someone who tweaks into exact CBTO with every round.
With hand dies, I need micrometer adjustment for this.

With a press there is potential to tweak with feeler gauges between the casehead and shellholder.

 

[vancewalker007]

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.

Recently upgraded my Gunwerks 7mm LRM die and my 6.5 PRC seater, essentially both Hornady Match grade seating dies with the new Hornady click-based seater attachment (see link below). It makes getting to your CBTO a snap. Plus, I can run it 2-3 thou above the target then quickly walk it in to avoid the inevitable looser case ending up shorter than my target CBTO. Of course, this only fits Hornady seaters.

Click‑Adjust Bullet Seating Micrometer - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

...

www.hornady.com

 

[MagnumManiac]

I used a Hornady mic seater once, and from then the countdown was on until the new replacement arrived. None too soon!

How funny is it that words used to describe something often from this company are at the other end totally from what's described…LOL!

Cheers.

 

[Straight Shooter]

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!

Please 'splain about the Hornady.

 

[Rflshootr]

Garba'shge....that's French for trash in case you didn't know.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Garba'shge....that's French for trash in case you didn't know.

Absolute TRUTH!

Cheers.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Please 'splain about the Hornady.

I'd be interested too. I have a drawer full of Hornady dies that all make good ammo.

 

[Rflshootr]

Some people like chocolate ice cream and some like vanilla. That's why they make different flavors. If you're happy with them, more velocity to ya!
It has been my experience that the sizers are too tight and overwork the brass, the decapping assembly on their "Match" dies suck and the seaters don't seat concentrically.

 

[Dragoon300]

I too prefer micrometer dies, and am also very anal about my precision loading. And perhaps a bit OCD with it. I am a machinist and automation machine designer / builder that does still remember how to read a micrometer and vernier caliper. At my current age and imcome with no more children to put through college I can afford these fancier dies, and really don't care to make them myself even though I could. That being said, the old screw and lock nut will work just fine, and once set, if you don't intend to ever move it, why do we buy the micrometer dies? Especially if we have multiple rifles in the same caliber? Because we can, and want to.

I am going to add another item to the list of must haves for us who strive for repeatability. I found these 7/8-14 threaded shaft collars the I put on all of my precision dies. Thought I would share them with you all.


Shaft Collars, for 7/8"-14 Thread Size, Black-Oxide 1215 Carbon Steel

https://www.mcmaster.com/6438K28

In my opinion they work best.

 

[highfinblue]

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.

This. I am not the precision shooter many of these folks are, but once I get my rifle tuned to where I can hit what I want to aim at I never want to mess with that die again. I really like the micrometer dies, anything to make life less complicated lol

 

[MarkInPA]

I too prefer micrometer dies, and am also very anal about my precision loading. And perhaps a bit OCD with it. I am a machinist and automation machine designer / builder that does still remember how to read a micrometer and vernier caliper. At my current age and imcome with no more children to put through college I can afford these fancier dies, and really don't care to make them myself even though I could. That being said, the old screw and lock nut will work just fine, and once set, if you don't intend to ever move it, why do we buy the micrometer dies? Especially if we have multiple rifles in the same caliber? Because we can, and want to.

I am going to add another item to the list of must haves for us who strive for repeatability. I found these 7/8-14 threaded shaft collars the I put on all of my precision dies. Thought I would share them with you all.


Shaft Collars, for 7/8"-14 Thread Size, Black-Oxide 1215 Carbon Steel

https://www.mcmaster.com/6438K28

In my opinion they work best.

Thanks for the tip on McMaster. I never would have thought to look there.

 

[ButterBean]

Why?


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!!


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.

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Mic Dies are nice but I personally could care less, I can adjust my LEE seaters with the same results.
It's purely personal preference