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utvolsfan77

utvolsfan77

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I have a collection of rifles that I reload for, but I always try to match the seating depths of my loads to the individual chambers of each of my bolt guns, especially if I have more than one in the same caliber. For example, I have three different Remington 700 rifles in .30-06 and two in .308. They all have different barrel profiles in varying lengths, and the chamber dimensions vary greatly between individual rifles.

In the past, I've had to readjust my Lee seating die each time I load for each gun. This is a huge pain in the ass and wastes a whole lot of time, which caused me to consider buying micrometer type seating dies for each of the bolt guns I have multiples of in the same caliber. I know that they cost a lot more than regular seating dies, but I think the convenience of not having to change the dies every time I load for a different rifle would offset the additional cost.

Nearly all of my equipment is made by Lee Precision, including all three presses, but my presses will use any 7/8"x14 dies. What do all of you more experienced reloaders and handloaders think of this idea and what would you suggest? If it is micrometer type seating dies, what brand and model would you recommend? Or would a seating die for each individual rifle be better and cheaper in the long run. What say you?
 
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I tried the micrometer dies and wasn't really crazy about them. I haven't had to buy any reloading equipment in a long time and I know supply got bad for a while - but I'd just buy a seater for each one. Set it, lock it down and never touch it. If I read your post right, that would cost you 4 seater dies, probably less than $100
 
Jcalder said:
As much as the micrometer does cost, would it be simpler to just get seater dies for each gun. Or even a die set for each so you could bump shoulders accordingly and seat as well.
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Sorry, I guess I didn't make it clear in initial post above. I am still in the load development stage and working up from minimum loads in 0.1 grain increments. Also, I already have 4-die sets for around 30 calibers, but only one of each. My 4-die sets consist of a full-length sizing die, a neck only sizing die, a seating die, and a factory crimp die. What I was complaining about was the constant readjusting of the seating die when moving between different rifles within the same caliber. I thought if I had a separate seating die for each rifle, it would eliminate constant adjustment, and that was why I wondered about the micrometer seating dies.
 
utvolsfan77 said:
Sorry, I guess I didn't make it clear in initial post above. I am still in the load development stage and working up from minimum loads in 0.1 grain increments. Also, I already have 4-die sets for around 30 calibers, but only one of each. My 4-die sets consist of a full-length sizing die, a neck only sizing die, a seating die, and a factory crimp die. What I was complaining about was the constant readjusting of the seating die when moving between different rifles within the same caliber. I thought if I had a separate seating die for each rifle, it would eliminate constant adjustment, and that was why I wondered about the micrometer seating dies.
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I understood exactly what you meant. But if you have 3 of the same caliber, how are you sizing cases. If you have to bump shoulders and only wanting to bump .002 for each one, that's a bunch of setting up over and over. That's why I say, it my work out to have a die set for each rifle. I currently have 1 300wm, but 2 die sets. A Lee collet and a Hornady set. The Lee collet and Hornady sizer are set to their functions, but the sizers are set for different bullets. Same concept, just a hair different. You may find the micrometer works better. Just keep better notes than myself cause I'd end up confused lol.
 
I would either buy an individual non micrometer seating die for each rifle, or buy the whole die set for each rifle. If not then I would do what I posted below.

One thing you can do that will help, when you have a load worked up, take that bullet and an empty unprimed case, and seat it at your OAL. Mark it master and keep it separate. Then you have a base for each bullet and brass combo. You need to make sure that you're using the same bullet and same brass, processed the same way, but you can screw your seater down on that master and you're there.

The micrometer dies are nice, but they don't all correspond with .001 of adjustment. And even then you're still having to run it in or our depending on what bullet. So really you're just paying more to do the same thing you have been.
 
When I bought my second set of dies, in 1985 or so, I went through the set up process.

Then I realized my time had value and indeed, accuracy and conservation of primers powder and bullets saved me money.

Sooooo, I decided to do things this way. I purchased a Lee Turret press and spare turrets. Changing from 06 to 223 or any of the different rifles I own is no big deal. I rotate the turret, lift it out, place the new turret, ready to go.

I set up dies once plus adjustments until I am happy with accuracy. As mentioned before, I have never changed the adjustments for my 30/06, 243, and many others. I keep unused turrets stored in the red containers; yep, one for every rifle. With 3 223 rifles all different throats, I have 3 sets.

Now, you can think what you lilke but for me this works about as perfect as can be.

SAM_0240.JPG
 
utvolsfan77 said:
Please post a review once you've had a chance to play with it a bit and let us know how well it worked for you.
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Will do. FA had a great deal on them a while back directly from them. Going to try and keep better data and notes. Primary reason for getting this mic die set is using different bullets without having to change my existing dies. I had been using eldx for hunting in 3 different calibers and just added 2 more. I have the eldx stems for 3 of those, can cut out having to keep up with and change the stems and change for coal with different bullets. Figure I will leave my dies already with the stems set for the eldx's and use the mic seating die for match, target, and other bullets and keep notes on the measurements.

The fa die set does also come with vld stems.
 
DaveB said:
Sooooo, I decided to do things this way. I purchased a Lee Turret press and spare turrets. Changing from 06 to 223 or any of the different rifles I own is no big deal. I rotate the turret, lift it out, place the new turret, ready to go.
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That's what I did when I started. I knew I didn't want a "starter press" that I would have to sell later and replace. So I bought the Lee turret. I'm not using it as a turret press, but I have multiple Turrets for different Rifle/Pistol calibers so I don't have to keep readjusting.
 
I have a couple micrometer seating dies and honestly, it's just as easy to seat the bullet with a regular seating die. Most of my same caliber rifles have close enough headspace to use the same depth, so it is easy to just reload a batch for all of them, but I can easily move the die in or out if need be.
 
when tuning my match rifles I like to start about .030 in the lands and shorten .003 at a time and shoot 3 shot groups,, the micro adjust seater makes this as easy as just screwing the die down 3 lines,,with a regular die its a pita,,the sleeve in the micro seater lines the bullet up with the case prior to seating much better and makes straighter ammo also,ime
 
I use both the Lee turret press and the micrometer die. Good stuff. I compared the Lee to the other rotating presses at the time of purchase and decided for me that the Lee could give me accurate ammo if I did my part. Just think about it like buying golf clubs, are Taylor Made good enough for your game or should you spend a lot more money just to make your buddies jealous. My own ammo, with the right rifle, is good enough for 1MOA all day, of course, the rifle makes a big contribution as well as my finger. BTW I have never broken 91 with my Taylor-Made, but still having fun.
 
Seating depth is easy... just unscrew your seating stem, run a loaded round into the die, the screw down till it touches the bullet. Load a pile, rinse and repeat for a different gun

Bumping shoulder for minimal headspace to save wear and tear on brass is the hard part with a single FL sizing die for multiple chambers. A good option is to order a Redding competition shellholder set, figure out which rifle needs which shellholder depth, then u are good to go keeping the same FL sizing die and just changing shellholders to compensate for different chambers yet still only bump the shoulder .02.
 

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