223 Competition Seating Die?

[agent_mango]

Hey Everyone,
I'm reloading for a savage 223, and my current die collection includes:
- Lee Deluxe Set: a) FL die I usually don't use, b) Collet die, and c) Standard seating die
- Redding body die if I need to set back the shoulder in a collet sized case
- Hornady bullet pulling die

I've read that the Lee Collet die works well, but for seating bullets people seem to prefer competition grade seating dies. What brand and model seating die would you recommend for a 223 that:
- Produces low runout
- Has a micrometer that makes adjusting seating depth easy
- Works well with long VLD bullets

Whatever die it is, I'm planning on ordering it from sinclair.

 

[wapitiwhacker]

I use a Forster Ultra purchased from Mystic Precision. Cost effective, no border costs, works Well with Sierras and Bergers. Lee Collet neck sizer and this seater give me runout of +/-.001

 

[peterdobson]

A Forster die purchased from HP is way nicer than Jerrys!

 

[Toomanyguns]

I second the Sinclair's. Graf and Sons also.

 

[agent_mango]

I'm leaning towards sinclair because I also want to order a couple of these fore end stabilizers:
www.sinclairintl.com/product/5301/d

Grafs carries something similar, but they are out of stock:
www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12247

 

[big boar]

I have 2 dies (308-223) from GMV Vickerman(?,PM me if you want contact info, really nice to deal with) They use a sliding insert that maintains concentricity. If you'd like to try something with your own dies that reduces runout a lot try seating only about 1/2 way and then turn your bullet 180degrees and seat the remainder of the way, it helps.

 

[warrenb]

I use a Forster Ultra purchased from Mystic Precision. Cost effective, no border costs, works Well with Sierras and Bergers. Lee Collet neck sizer and this seater give me runout of +/-.001

Thanks for the tip dude!

 

[Mystic Precision]

A Forster die purchased from HP is way nicer than Jerrys!

Lee collet neck die
Redding body die
Forster BR or Ultra seater or Redding comp seater.

Will make great ammo.

Let me know and remember to add the US shippng charges when calculating overall costs.

Jerry

 

[mpwolf]

Another vote for Forster seaters.

 

[guntech]

Another plug for the Forester Benchrest Seater...

These dies used to be called Bonanza Benchrest Dies and were not available with a micrometer adjustment. They are available both ways now. Forester bought the Bonanza company quite a few years ago.

I have been using them since about 1970.

 

[MagnumPeanut]

I had a RCBS competition die set for my 223 and really, really liked the seating die. The neck die was nothing fantastic but the seater was awesome.

 

[Ruthless]

Forster Ultra Micrometer Seater....very precise

 

[fclassguy]

Redding seater

I personally use Redding Competition Seating Dies for F Class competition loads. I think functionally not much difference though between Redding and Forster besides the price

Strictly speaking, the best way to control runout is the neck clearance dimensions of your chambering reamer. What I mean by that is that a well cleared neck (say .008") will result in an equally well expanded case neck after firing. That will then require substantial neck sizing which will increase the likelihood of inducing runout.

If on the other hand the chambering reamer was only cleared .003", then you would reduce the likelihood of inducing runout during the neck sizing process. And as a bonus, reducing the work hardening of the brass which increases case life.

If the rifle is already chambered and well cleared, then size your necks only with a bushing die and only size about 1/2 way down the neck. Seat your bullets long to jam the lands and runout will get corrected when you chamber the round. The unsized portion of the neck will ensure your case is centered.