I have been reloading for a while with my Lee single stage and Lee dies for bench rest shooting. My bullet seating has been ok but wanted to fine tune it. So after waiting for a month or two for it to come in, I received my Forster Die in the mail. I have always read good things about it, so I bought one. The problem is that I have variations in the Ogive length. I seat my .308's to 2.255" and most are dead on, but some vary from 2.250 to 2.262 and I can't seam to find a reason why.(By-the-way the overall lengths do vary with the Ogive variations) I have compared the bullet lengths (I am using Sierra 168 match kings), the case lengths and diameters. But I can't seem to find a reason for the variations. I am being overly picky, or is something wrong? If something is wrong, any ideas on how to correct it?
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Inconsistent seating with my new Forster Ultra Micro Die.
- Thread starter SniperJoe
- Start date
The seater stem does not contact the bullet the same place as the comparator you are using...so variations in the bullets are giving you different measurements on the comparator. Set the due to load a few thousandths too long and then seat, measure it, and dial the die down a few more thousandths as necessary to get the bullet where you want it.
One thing to check is that the seater stems often need a little polishing because the tool marks in the sestet can actually grab the bullet and pull it back out a little. If the seater is grabbing the bullet this way you will never get consistent readings no matter what you do. As usual, consistent neck tension helps especially if you are using a compressed load.
One thing to check is that the seater stems often need a little polishing because the tool marks in the sestet can actually grab the bullet and pull it back out a little. If the seater is grabbing the bullet this way you will never get consistent readings no matter what you do. As usual, consistent neck tension helps especially if you are using a compressed load.
This ^^^^^ and I would add that while compressed load can exaggerate the problem - consistent neck tension is a must no matter what charge your using.
The problem with making a 30 cal seating stem with a .300 opening, is that some bullets would hit the top of the stem, like VLD bullets. That's why Redding hasn't done it.
I noticed on the Forster website they offer custom seating stem to fit the Ogive of a specific bullet. They say to send them a couple of bullets and they will machine the stem. Do you think this will help the ogive consistency? (See copy of website description below.)
"CUSTOM J-30 SEATING STEM to fit specific bullet ogive's shape.
You should supply 2-3 sample bullets. (all customer property will be returned)
Specify for use with the Ultra Micrometer Seating Die or the Bench Rest Seating Die.
Retail price of J-30 Stem + $7 machining Fee + shipping. (Or, you may send in your existing stem & just pay the machining fee)"
With cast bullets I make my seating stem fit each different cast bullet .I make the stem deep and wide and fill it with JB weld and put the stem in my lathe chuck and the bullet in my tail stock and move them together till the jb weld is squeezed out to the point the bullet almost hits the metal . I get a perfect seat every time but of course cast bullets have perfect noses compared to jacketed bullets . So if you made a seating stem that hit only on the actual ogive it should work.
Right when I started reading your post, my first thought was sierra's. They give me the worst aol consistency.
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I am having the same problem with my Forester Micro with Sierra Game Kings. I just have to seat every round long and then take it down a little at the time until I get it right. Its a royal pain and takes a lot of time but its worth it in the end.
This wouldn't happen to be a compressed load would it? I have seen powder push bullets back out of cases on compressed loads or even when powder is loose in case and stacks higher than usual.
The problem with a stem that has a .300 diameter hole for seating .308 bullets is the bullets would stick in the stem and pull right out of the brass.
Happens to me with high NT or compressed loads. My particular cause is due to a few thou of slop between die and press joints
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