Forster Ultra Micrometer Seater die

[badbehr]

Does the Forster Ultra Micrometer Seater die require a different Seater stem for VLD bullets.

I like the Redding Competition Seater die but I know it requires a special (separate) Stem for VLD bullets

I’m reloading 260 Rem, 7 WSM, 300 WM, And 338 Lapua. If I only needed 1 seating die I’d probably get the Redding.

 

[XLR308]

I can't say for all of them but the 6.5x47 die I bought I have used everything from 123cc to 130vld and hybrids with no issue or changes to the die.

 

[badbehr]

Thanks for the feed back. I think I’ll proceed with the Forster dies. I searched through the older threads and it seems like they are pretty popular.

 

[HiDesertELR]

I was looking at 300PRC gear, wondered the same thing. I have their 300WM seating die, works awesome.

From their website...
"We have continued to refine our seating stems to better fit newly designed ballistic tips and to match most very low drag (VLD) bullets. "

 

[badbehr]

Nice! Not sure how I missed that on the website. Thanks for the info. That makes it pretty clear.

 

[XLR308]

I have both the Forestor and Redding micro seating dies and can't really say I prefer one over the other.
With one exception which is the reason for your post, when I first checked the fit of the 150smk in the seating stem of my Redding 65CM die I was finished at that point until the vld stem arrived.

 

[badbehr]

I have some Redding Competition dies in other calibers. I really like there product and don’t mind paying for them.
It’s hard for me to justify buying a new seater die ($120ish) and then buying a specific VLD stem ($20 ish) when Forster offers a quality system for less ($90 on Midway) that doesn’t require additional parts.
In the past I was OCD enough to have all the same brand of dies. Now I’d rather be OCD in producing quality ammo. I guess that’s how I justify it anyway.

 

[XLR308]

I have considered from my last few die purchases just building my sets the way I want from various makes.
1) Redding Type S FL Bushing die
2) Forester Micro Seating die
3) Hornady custom for any oddball or Wildcats hard to get dies for

 

[NW Valkyrie]

I have purchased 4 Forster seating dies in the past year (6 BR, 6 Creed, 224 Valk and 6.5 Grendel) and every one left ring marks when seating bullets.

Since I also use Forster sizing dies, when I have the dies honed I also send the seater along with three sample bullets. Every one has come back perfectly polished and no longer leave ring marks. (they provide the service free of charge)

Glad to hear others have not run in to this issue.

 

[badbehr]

Good to know! If ring I get ring marks I can send them in for honing. That’s great customer service.

 

[Danattherock]

I did the same, ring marks the reason, great CS and fast turnaround. I prefer Redding micrometer seaters the last few years, which I buy in sets with type S full size bushing dies.

But Forster is similar in quality, I have their BR and micrometer, actually prefer the less expensive BR version. It's identical sans the micrometer top.

 

[XLR308]

If the seater stem is leaving a ring wrap some electrical tape around it and Chuck it in a drill, then use some 800 grit wet/dry sand paper to just break the leading edge at the mouth of the seater plug.
Or sacrifice a couple of bullets and use lapping compound to smooth the transition.
I have had to do that on a few dies and it works perfect, or send it in if your not comfortable with modifying your own equipment.
The manufacturer can't necesarily anticipate what exact bullet everyone will be using and a one size fits all approach is often less than desirable in the end product.

 

[padom]

I use all Forster Ultra Micrometer seaters and some havent left mark's out of the box, others I send to Forster with a little baggy of bullets I plan to use and they send it back polished perfectly free of charge.

 

[Steel head]

My 223 and 260 Forster seater are good to go but my 7 saum I’m going to polish up a bit.