Seating Dies

[Harvey_NW]

I measure mine base to ogive and still get them all over the board.

Another thing that helps is using graphite lube inside the necks. I started using once I had issues with bullet weld, and it drastically reduces the resistance when seating. And if I'm trying to get zero variance, I take an extra second to rotate the case 180° and run it through again, and that produces almost exact specs.

I'm still confused by how much variance you're getting, do you have the stem screwed too far out to where it's starting to crimp just before you reach the full stroke on the arm? Or are you purposely crimping?

 

[EdP]

I also am surprised by the variance. .002 is alot for me and with a second stroke or 180 rotation I can almost always get to + or - .001. A lot has to do with how firm my stroke on the press is. That, to me, is tolerance in the press mechanism and has nothing to do with the die.

As someone else said, you need to be measuring base to ogive with a bullet comparator, not COAL. COAL introduces bullet mfg tolerances that don't matter. Its base to ogive that controls bullet jump to the lands. If you are measuring COAL I don't think anything you do with your dies is going to make you happy.

Typically my dies are set up where the shell holder does not hit the bottom of the seating die. If you can set up so that the shell holder does stop against the seating die, you can eliminate the press tolerances.

 

[ams30gts]

I don't have either brand, but have always used Redding Bushing dies or Forster for my rifle rounds. Both have micrometers.

For pistol I really like Dillon for ease of setup and cleaning.

 

[Jake Leibke]

[mention]EdP [/mention]
I do measure BTO.

I ended up ordering an arbor seating die from Whidden. Thanks for all the input. Thinking it the press that’s maybe causing the inconsistency.


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[BjornF16]

Which stem should you use for ELD-M bullets?...standard or VLD?

 

[BjornF16]

I was looking into that last night. Might check with a local guy to see about cost of reaming a blank.


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Any chance you can do a few?...I'd buy one

 

[Jake Leibke]

[mention]BjornF16 [/mention]

Whidden has a 22 Creedmoor arbor die available. I just ordered that instead of having a blank reamed out. They have bullet specific stems. It comes with the standard with an option to order others. I got the standard, which they say fits Berger 80 and 85.5, and one that fits the 75 eldm. Hoping one of those will work for the 88 eldm also. The website shows it backordered but they build it once you order.

Arbor Press Seater - Whidden Gunworks

Whidden Gunworks has modernized the Arbor Press Seating Die. We have a number of features on our die to make it easier to read, easier to adjust, and improve the overall use of our die. The Arbor Press Seater Die includes a Standard seating stem. A Bullet Specific seating stem is available as...

www.whiddengunworks.com

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[1badDart]

I have the RCBS competition seating die set in 7.62x51 and 5.56. I like them, and repeatability is good. I like the micrometer, but the bullet locating collet is more important to maintain the bullet inline as it presses into the neck.

I use this die too, 22-250 and 260 Remington, they work well for me.

 

[Lawnboi]

I think the standard whidden will do just fine with the 88s. Interesting how the widden die works in comparison to the wilson dies I’m used to

 

[BjornF16]

I think the standard whidden will do just fine with the 88s. Interesting how the widden die works in comparison to the wilson dies I’m used to

I've got a Whidden die on its' way...how are they different?

 

[Lawnboi]

I've got a Whidden die on its' way...how are they different?

It’s got a sleeve like a press mounted die and a fairly tall base. There is no head pushing the bullet down, you’re basically pushing the entire die down being guided by the sleeve.

Hard to explain but it will make sense when you see it. Curious to see how it works. Iv only used wilson arbor press dies till now.

I’m hopeful that SAC will come out with their arbor press die soon, they have had quite a few teasers

 

[rayporter]

i like the whidden press mounted dies a lot but if you have a lot of bullets to seat there is nothing faster than a wilson.

 

[Jake Leibke]

I think the standard whidden will do just fine with the 88s. Interesting how the widden die works in comparison to the wilson dies I’m used to
View attachment 503805

That came quick! I haven’t gotten shopping confirmation on mine yet….

 

[Lawnboi]

That came quick! I haven’t gotten shopping confirmation on mine yet….

I ordered immediately ready for a long wait and it shipped a few hours later. As noted above this die dosnt quite work like the wilson dies I’m used to. Craftsmanship is excellent though.

Just waiting on the barrel, plan to screw it on in may and use it through hunting season.