I have a question for the reloaders out there. I have just started reloading Berger bullets, now for the VLD bullets do you need special seating dies or will regular dies work. I have seen redding makes VLD seating dies. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Reloading VLD's
- Thread starter Sumack
- Start date
ultimate_monkey
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- victoria BC
technically, any seating die will seat the bullet. but, with regular dies, the tip of the bullet will contact before the seater plug reaches to ogive, and you will get varying seating depths
This, I switched to Forster seating dies and consistency and concentricy both improved dramatically. While I was waiting I made a new seating stem for a Lee die I had on hand which helped but wasn't as good as the Forster die.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Agreed. VLD seater is the way to go. Make sure you order the correct one specific to you caliber though. Not all 6.5mm are the same for example. Ask me how I know....
The only difference in Redding between the dies is the seater plug which you can buy as an accessory from either Redding or Sinclair. However, you need to be able to tell the seating depth relationship between the bullet and the rifling lands. Most VLD bullets like to be "jammed" between .010 and .015" into the lands for a hard seat. Either that or about .080" jump. This makes it critical to be able to measure the distance from the base of the case to the rifling lands to be able to set the OAL of the cartridge. Hornady makes a tool to do this. Sinclair makes other types also.
