I'm looking at upgrading my 308 die setup. I've been eyeballing the Wilson hand die seater with micrometer adjustment, but I wanted to ask questions to people with experience. Are these worth the money as a seater or should I look elsewhere? Are they true hand dies or do they require an arbor press? I love the idea of a true hand die because I do all my powder dispensing inside and then go to the garage to my press to seat the bullet. I could charge and seat inside (yes I hate the cold garage). If I went with a press mounted die I was considering the RCBS competition die set. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Wilson Seating Die
- Thread starter M1barker
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The Wilson is best used with an arbor press, but I guess that you could us a mallet or plastic hammer with them. A arbor press is not real expensive. The Redding, Hornady, and Forester straight line seating dies can do as well, but they won't get you away from your press. I've had good luck with the RCBS comp die, but most don't consider them in the same league as the ones mentioned above. Sinclair and K&M both make a nice arbor press. Lightman
I have a k&m press. It is small and portable and very easy to use. I used a plastic hammer for a few weeks before I got a press. It is crude, but works.
The dies are second to none. They are well known for producing no runout. I have had stainless micro top and standard versions. I use the stainless because it doesn't rust. Micro top is only useful for initial setup and if you shoot multiple seating depths. Otherwise just get the standard and set it and leave it.
--Daniel
The dies are second to none. They are well known for producing no runout. I have had stainless micro top and standard versions. I use the stainless because it doesn't rust. Micro top is only useful for initial setup and if you shoot multiple seating depths. Otherwise just get the standard and set it and leave it.
--Daniel
I own several Wilson chamber type seating dies, none with micrometer. The arbor press is worthwhile, I wouldn't be without it. Don't know exactly what is meant by the question; "true hand dies", except that they are nothing like a Lyman Tong tool. The Wilson bushing neck sizing dies do employ the use of a mallet pounding on the base of the case and then pounding on the stem to de prime. Also, handloading with an arbor press is very compatible with an indoors environment. BB
I use my hands to seat 300WM rounds. No press needed. Might be nice tho as after a while it gets to my hand.
You're on target with the stainless Wilson. I prefer one with micrometer, although varying opinions above. Some will argue the Wilson is slowly than more common set-ups, but it is accurate, and truly a joy to use.
You might try a combo press, I believe it makes better use of bench space.
You might try a combo press, I believe it makes better use of bench space.
Using a hammer is problematic in my hands. OAL suffers from varying force of the hammer blows. The arbor press gives more consistent results. JMHO
Thanks for all the great feedback and replies. My runout numbers aren't terrible, just not very consistent. By hand dies, I am meaning being completely free of a press. I have seen videos posted of the die in use strictly with hands, pushing down on a table. This would be perfect for me if its accurate and feasible. If I had to use a press, I would honestly go more towards an accurate traditional micrometer seating die, and probably just buy a decent set (FL sizer and Micrometer seater).
It appears we are on different wavelengths, I know nothing about sizing cases by pushing a die on a table? Runout numbers not consistent, but you require micrometer seating? Those two are not compatible. Micrometer seating is vastly overrated and it won't cure runout. Wilson seating dies will cure runout.
Former Naval, a hammer is used on the sizing and depriving die, not the seating die. And, it's idiot proof. BB
Former Naval, a hammer is used on the sizing and depriving die, not the seating die. And, it's idiot proof. BB
I full length size, and will continue to do so in my standard press. Not looking to go towards neck sizing in the Wilson dies. The die I am questioning is just the Wilson seater. Once I size, I can do all other work indoors (if the seater die works as I was wishing)
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