Micrometer bullet seater (redding, forster)

Jeromeo said:
Just wondering how many of you F-class shooters use the micrometer adjustable bullet seaters? I am looking at buying a Forster or Redding seater but would like some input first.
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This link on the Redding vs the Forster may be interesting to you. The history is that Forster used to be Bonanza. When Bonanza's patents ran out, Redding starting making copies.

Redding vs Forster

I'm not an F-class shooter, but some responding in that thread above are. I have the Forster Bushing/Bump die, and the Ultra Micrometer seater. The only minor criticism I have of the seater is that they used an off white paint to mark the micrometer divisions. For my old eyes in dimmer light they can be a little hard to read. I just keep a small penlight nearby and use that. Works fine then.

While I do not shoot F-class I can produce three shot groups at 100 meters measuring in the .1's and .2's using a factory Savage in 6BR with Lapua brass. I use 0.001" tension in the neck with a 0.267 bushing, and set the Ultra Micrometer to jam 0.010". The micrometer dial is just the ticket to easily switch between bullets and maintain an accurate jam or jump.

This write up may also be of interest:

Bonanza/Forster BR Dies
 
Jeromeo said:
Just wondering how many of you F-class shooters use the micrometer adjustable bullet seaters? I am looking at buying a Forster or Redding seater but would like some input first.
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I use both for several different rifles, thet real big advantage I fins with them is when I'm using diffetrent bullets, or switching from onerifle to another - it's simply a mattter of dialing in the micrometer instead of messing about with the vernier and stuff to egt te die set up.
Cat
 
I have the redding one for my .308, I can't compare with anything else because it's all i've used.
With that said, I find that setting up the die is a no-brainer. It's effortless.
 
Both brands work great and have become the standard for precision loading on a standard press.

Can't say either brand has any advantage over the other except maybe the Redding micrometer is a little easier to read vs the Forster ????.

forster will cost less money.

If loading the longer VLD's, these seaters are really important to keep runout in check. Their stems have been made to cater to the taper on these long spears.

The sliding sleeve can offer better case/bullet alignment vs a standard seater.

Let me know...

Jerry
 
German Salazar did some tests comparing seating dies, but it unfortunately did not include the Forster:
http://riflemansjournal.########.com/2009/09/reloading-seating-die-runout.html

A friend and I compared several presses, seating and sizing dies (308 & 260) and found similar results.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/kombayotch/Firearms Stuff/Radek/P1040811.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/kombayotch/Firearms Stuff/Radek/P1040814.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/kombayotch/Firearms Stuff/Radek/P1040820.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/kombayotch/Firearms Stuff/Radek/P1040823.jpg
The Redding seater in the Co-Ax performed better than the Wilson dies in our tests too. Neither my Rock Chucker (old good one, not the newer garbage) or his Big Boss could touch the Co-Ax for runout, so we both switched to it.

We didn't have a Forster seater at the time, but he tested one later and still found the Redding had an edge, so he stuck with Redding. That's just one sample though. I would give the Forsters a try if I was in the market for a new set of dies.
 
I did a test year ago using 40 Winchester once-fired, sorted and neck-turned brass. All were sized with Neil Jones Arbor press and BR bushing dies, puportedly the best. 20 X 155 bullets of same lot were seated with the NJ dies - arbor press and 20 with the Forster seater and then measured for run-out. The Forster produced less run out and the experiment was reproduced 3 times over 6 months with different lots, same procedure.

Still like the arbor press for ease of use, but don't bother with the fancy, expensive seater.

Regards,

Peter
 
I concur 100% in regards to the Forster Co-ax press, but don't see any mention of the Vickermann in-line bullet seater, my favorite and combined with the Co-ax produces very little runout.
 
Post number 2 nailed it... I have been using Bonanza (now Forester) benchrest dies since the early 70's. Many Benchrest shooters favoured them... then they came out with the micro adjustable bullet seater... excellent product.
 
I use Redding Competition dies for my 6BR.
I have a Forster BR seater for my 260 Rem but I don't use it because it doesn't have the Micrometer top, I did compare the runout on the 2 seaters though and could not see any appreciable difference in the runout between the Redding and the Forster BR.

Get the micrometer top whichever die you choose. Makes life so much easier when starting new loads and also when you have to start chasing the lands.
 
I use redding micrometer seaters for 6BR, 6X47, 260, 308, and 6.5-284. amd most recently a 6.8-284. They are easy to use, and they are accurate. a 1-thou adjustment is just that. Never really tried anything else as these work just fine.

I don't advocate the need for a micrometer neck sizing die though.
 
peterdobson said:
Redding is very good, a copy of the tried and true Forster, the latter being equal in quality, but costing less.
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Mystic Precision said:
Both brands work great and have become the standard for precision loading on a standard press.

Can't say either brand has any advantage over the other except maybe the Redding micrometer is a little easier to read vs the Forster ????.


Jerry
Click to expand...
I have used both.
Cost= there is definitely a differential. Hard to say that it is worth it....
In terms of the visibility of the micrometer hash marks on the Forster= is a bit of an issue.
When I contacted Forster about it -they said that had made improvements to the newer production versions that make it easier. However I have not seen the newer versions.
I am sure a touch of paint can fix that.
 
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