2022Creedmoor has published a series of useful “how-to” videos on its InfoZone website. Bill Gravatt demonstrates how to seat bullets using L.E. in the latest InfoZone Video. Wilson Hand Dies and an Arbor Press. The process is very simple, especially with a micrometer-top seat die. This makes it easy to adjust the seating depth. Before you begin seating bullets, adjust the arbor’s height so that the stroke is at the right height for your die. ARBOR PRESS TECHNIQUE – Smooth is best when using an arbor press. Do not slam the handle down too quickly. You should do the same motion every time. You can also try different seating methods. First, you can place the bullet partially. Then you can rotate the cartridge in the die and then do the final seating using a second stroke. If your arbor presse has a force gauge, take note of the maximum value of the gauge needle as well as how it moves while you seat the bullet. If the needle moves too fast, bounces back and forth or spikes rapidly, you should either mark the cartridge or put it aside. This could indicate a neck tension issue or another fault. You may even have a bad bullet. This is rare but it can happen. It is important to move the press arm smoothly every time and maintain the same down pressure with each cartridge. One Forum reader asked, “How can I get an in-line seater custom made for my new rifle?” First, if you don’t shoot an unusual Wildcat, we recommend that you check first to make sure L.E. is available. Wilson offers a stainless Micrometer-Seater Die for your rifle. These dies are easy to use and work well with many calibers. Wilson stainless micrometer-top seats are available in a range of prices, including $90-$100 for dozens if cartridge types such as.204 Ruger, 20BR, and.222 Rem. You can purchase a Wilson blank die and have your gunsmith insert the chambering reamer. Gunamonth, a Forum member, explains that she starts with a Wilson seating blank. They are available at Sinclair and other vendors. Simply insert the reamer. For some rifles I needed the stainless die with micrometer adjustment, I purchased a smaller die and had it ream with the chamber reamer by the smith. This is how I got my 6 Dasher and 6mm Ai seaters made. I started with a 6mmBR Micrometer Die for the Dasher. “SEATER STEM TIP”: If you see a sharp line near the jacket where the ogive is, you might want to smoothen the leading edge on the Wilson seater stem (see left). You can do this by manually spinning one bullet in the stem with a little lapping compound. You’ll be able to create a smooth bullet/stem interface with minimal effort. Micrometer Top Add-on
We love micrometer tops on a sitting die. What if Wilson doesn’t make a micrometer-top seater for chambering? Sinclair Int’l offers a $39.99 micrometer top to add to Wilson standard seats or create a custom seater from a Wilson blank die.
Similar Posts:Tags : Bill Gravatt. Capstone. Handloading Method. Micrometer Seater Die. Wilson Dies.
