gordicans wrote:this might be a dumb question but what's the advantage of purchasing say a Forster seating die with a micrometer over one without a micrometer? ie what can they do that an equivalent die without a micrometer can't do?
marksman wrote::lol: once you have adjusted the die nothing
they are just one of them things that look pretty, gives you something to talk about and add weight once you have adjusted it to suit your oal
ps I have a few and have never found one yet that works in the one thou increments like they are supposed to
gordicans wrote:so let me get this straight...you can do the same thing without a micrometer but it's just a little bit slower and more inconvenient? you have to fiddle around with the vernier calipers rather than the micrometer or am I missing something?
in2anity wrote:The better your tools, the faster and more precise your workflow. Having the micrometer basically turns a two-step process into one (no need to adjust then measure). Another advantage of the forster die is the bullet seating stem is usually a better fit than say a Lee. Nevertheless, will a Lee die still generate accurate loads? Abso -f*****g- lutely; we're splitting hairs here. IMO these sorts of comparisons should be reserved for benchrest shooters and the likes. Here's a good comparision video of the various dies: https://youtu.be/OCKQY9qSAqI?list=PLTTr ... 41PTxhtncm
bladeracer wrote: The micrometer die slows your workflow, not speed it up. It basically adds another step, customizing the length of each individual round to take out the variations inherent in bullet manufacture.
in2anity wrote:bladeracer wrote: The micrometer die slows your workflow, not speed it up. It basically adds another step, customizing the length of each individual round to take out the variations inherent in bullet manufacture.
huh? but it's set and forget? once you achieve your targetted length, there's no need to touch it (for a batch)?
bladeracer wrote:In want to set and forget then don't waste your money on a micrometer die.
in2anity wrote:bladeracer wrote:In want to set and forget then don't waste your money on a micrometer die.
I don't follow. The micrometer adjustment cuts out the need to incrementally measure the round with calipers. If you want a few more or less thou, you can quickly and precisley dial it and go. Are you saying (in contrast to this), you measure every single round Blade?
gordicans wrote:now this noobie is really confused
gordicans wrote:"so each round in your batch still has variations in jump. Measure your rounds, batch them bý variation in ogive length, then run them through the mic die to dial that variation out and make them all identical in jump"
Bladeracer but you can do exactly the same thing using calipers no?
gordicans wrote:thanks Ziad, you've allayed my fears somewhat. I've ordered the Forster bench rest seating die and was wondering if I should've got one with the micrometer. But I'm only loading for one caliber so the micrometer although nice to have I'm suspecting is not essential.
Ziad wrote:My 2 cents worth.
If you are making hunting rounds or just have 1 projectile per calibre than a standard seating die is fine.
Micrometer die gives you a visual representation so you can say my 69gr Sierra are 1.55 on the micrometer and my 55gr zmax are 1.45. Next time you losing 55gr you dial 1.45 and that's it.
Also note more expensive (competition type) seating dies will have a slieve that hold the brass case and part of the bullet so makes the ammo more concentric, which if you are shooting paper or benchrest will help you get better group's
Also I have noticed that the thread on the Lee seating dies that I have at least the threads are not the same so some full rotation can measure different from other rotations
Now blade has mentioned an interesting thing, makes sense looks like i need to research and ask questions
gordicans wrote:now this noobie is really confused
in2anity wrote:bladeracer wrote:In want to set and forget then don't waste your money on a micrometer die.
I don't follow. The micrometer adjustment cuts out the need to incrementally measure the round with calipers. If you want a few more or less thou, you can quickly and precisley dial it and go. Are you saying (in contrast to this), you measure every single round Blade?
marksman wrote:in2anity wrote:bladeracer wrote:In want to set and forget then don't waste your money on a micrometer die.
I don't follow. The micrometer adjustment cuts out the need to incrementally measure the round with calipers. If you want a few more or less thou, you can quickly and precisley dial it and go. Are you saying (in contrast to this), you measure every single round Blade?
even with a micrometer adjustment on the die you still need to measure your oal with calipers
you do not lose this step because you have a micrometer adjustment
even the guys who believe its necessary because they change projectile sizes frequently do not have any advantage over a die that does not have a micrometer adjustment, you still have to set the die up check oal then forget it till you want to change the oal again
the only people who believe the micrometer adjustments are precise are the salesman
where I have seen it a benefit is if you are adjusting oal at the range with hand dies and an arbor press