Micro Adjust Seating Die vs Lee Seating Die

[21Bravo]

Okay,

I suppose the answer should be clear however I'd like to here from someone who has first hand experience.

The question: Will a micro adjust competition seating die (ie RCBS) seat more consistently than a run of the mill Lee seating die?

Thanks,

21Bravo aka
Craig P. in MO

 

[bdh308]

Re: Micro Adjust Seating Die vs Lee Seating Die

Yes. Get the Redding Comp Seater. The Redding is built to help with runout by aligning the bullet with the case. Now if you are talking about seating length then you need to get a bullet comparator that measures ogive to get your seating depths the same.

 

[Irelander]

Re: Micro Adjust Seating Die vs Lee Seating Die

I've been pondering this question as well. I am using a Lee seating die at the moment and I have been eyeing up the RCBS comp micro adjust die. Is it worth the money? I also need a rig to measure COAL on something besides the bullet tip. I often wonder if the length of the plastic ballistic tips on my AMAX bullets are very precise.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Micro Adjust Seating Die vs Lee Seating Die

Yes. The Redding comp seaters are very good. For match ammo, they will seat the bullet straight. They have the VLD seater plug already in them, so you don't get that extra seating stem mark from other non VLD seaters.

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: Micro Adjust Seating Die vs Lee Seating Die

If you don't need the micrometer, the standard (BR) Forster seating die does the same job at considerably reduced cost. Also comes with a better lock ring.

 

[nicholst55]

Re: Micro Adjust Seating Die vs Lee Seating Die

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Winchester 69</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you don't need the micrometer, the standard (BR) Forster seating die does the same job at considerably reduced cost. Also comes with a better lock ring. </div></div>

+1; the Forster Benchrest seaters represent an excellent value. They're very well made - easily as good as Redding; they're just not quite as pretty.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Micro Adjust Seating Die vs Lee Seating Die

you know its weird but when i was making a few practice rounds, there didnt seem to be true consistancy in my seating die. this was from a set of herters i got. my bud says after you set it once you should be fine. when i get to actually loading some rounds it should work out. but i have been eyeing the RCBS precision set. it just seems like if i am measuring and the round is .006 short, using that seating die would make it easier to adjust the seating depth since you can just dial it down the exact amount. unless i dont understand how they work.

 

[Enios]

Re: Micro Adjust Seating Die vs Lee Seating Die

From one that owns all four, buy the Forster Micro Seater, it's the best and the best buy. Only thing the Redding has on it is you can see the numbers but after using them I don't look at the numbers. Also get the Hornady or someone else's tool to measure to the Ogave. You OAL will change because of the differences in bullet lengths but the Ogave should remain constant. The RCBS to me isn't that much of an improvement over the Lee. The drop in window is nice but after using one for a few hundred rounds and checking run out I got another Forster.

 

[awp762]

Re: Micro Adjust Seating Die vs Lee Seating Die

I use redding comp set dies for all of my calibers. Tried the hornady micro adjust on .223 but the redding seems more accurate & seats straighter for me on my match loads. The Hornady seater i have is now used for plinkers on 223.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Micro Adjust Seating Die vs Lee Seating Die

enios, you tried the RCBS precision set too? i only ask cause i saw a set on sale. its just a few bucks more for the RCBS set than the single forster die. would you (or anyone else) know what makes the RCBS national match set 2x more money? its $150. thanks

 

[Enios]

Re: Micro Adjust Seating Die vs Lee Seating Die

Set we got it the Comp FL Die Set 308 Win #37801 Can't speak on the National set never tried them. Most of my dies are Redding bushing sets but I use the Forster Micro Seaters. I have Lee collet and body dies I also use for what I load the most of. I do have a Redding precision neck sizer I use with the 308 for my match brass. I have better luck with the body die and Lee neck sizer with winchester brass even tho I've turned all of them because the necks were so bad out of whack. I've just bought an ICON in 243 and I'm going to try the Forster benchrest seater and the Redding body die with the lee neck sizer to see what it will turn out. I may wind up with a set of Redding for it before it's over but I've never seen a more accurate rifle out of the box in my life for any price. Shooting sub MOA at a 100 with a cleaning between each shot and the first group after break in with factory ammo was under 1/4". Can't wait to get some loads worked up to see what it will do.

I will say I have a set of FL Forster comp dies for the 708 and as far as a non bushing die it's the best I've ever used. I like it much better than my Redding FL. The expander is at the top and seems to streach the neck less than any of the other FL non bushing sizers I've used in the past.