L.e. wilson dies or forster dies

[King_beardsly]

I figured I'd ask this question to the masses since this will be my first endeavor into precision reloading. Should I go with the LE Wilson dies using an arbor press or run a set of forster dies (bushing bump and micrometer seating die) with a standard press. I'll be running 6creedmoor through the setup and possibly adding other calibers down the road.

 

[Hawk in WY]

If customer service matters to you, go WILSON.

 

[918v]

I use Wilson seating dies as they offer better sensitivity and feedback when seating bullets.

 

[Strykervet]

I went with Forster but to be honest I was just looking for a quality die better than RCBS. Haven't had any problems so I can't say anything about CS with them. The spring loaded skirt helps keep it all straight as it's going in the die. I'm using FL sizers so not much to say other than they're doing the job. I use a 650 so feeling any one die over another isn't possible. Or necessary if it's setup properly and you use good dies.

Can't say anything about LE Wilson other than they make great case gauges and I use 'em for every round I load to setup the press and inspect brass along the way. I did take a look at LE Wilson dies and if I didn't already have the Forster dies, I'd seriously consider them. I may still consider them in the future if I don't go custom for those outright (which is absolute best if you know what you want, have reamer prints and/or fired and new cases).

For true custom dies and work, I can say for a fact that Whidden is heads and shoulders above the competition in pretty much every aspect. Stay away from CH4D, just a nightmare.

 

[aahunt03]

I spent the extra money and got the Benchrest Ultra Micrometer Die from Forster and it failed after 1 year. To give Forster a nod, they sent me new parts for it, but it always produced rounds that had no less than 5 thou of runout, even before the repair. I pulled my trusty old hand-me-down forster seating die off the shelf and it produces rounds with .001 or less of runout. I may spend more time fine tuning it for initial setup, but I have higher quality rounds, and I don't have to go out and buy a 200-300 dollar micrometer die again. I won't be buying another fancy Forster micrometer die, and plan on sticking to the basic one I have, or if I have to I will buy the Redding. Sometimes more money/more high tech/more adjustments don't = better results.

 

[bax]

I full-length size using an RCBS A2 press with Redding button dies. I seat using wilson dies on an arbor press. I did not reach this conclusion by testing, I have been doing it this was for quite a while, results are good, and it is just habit.

I can't see spending the money for a 7/8 x 14 micrometer seater. Once I get it set, I can lock it in place. If I need to change the seating depth, I can adjust it with shims. I almost never change my seating depth. I don't see the value in being able to do nothing precisely.

 

[Threadcutter308]

My Wilson neck sizer, Wilson seater, Sinclair arbor press, powder measure and all associated/necessary loading tools fit into one “Plano” tackle box. Very portable and convenient.