Reloading: Making Micro Adjustments

Sometimes an innovator can get a product right the very first time. I’d like to mention the.30-06 Springfield cartridge and the Fender Telecaster guitar. Sometimes, tools and gear evolve to the point where you might wonder how you ever managed to use such primitive gear with success. I was looking through one of my fathers 3/4-inch tube rimfire scopes yesterday and felt like my eyes were clogged up with cataracts. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to pick out a squirrel’s head from the oak tree top, especially compared to the 1-4x20mm Ruger 77/22 that rides atop it today. Reloading gear is somewhere in between these extremes. The gear from the 1970s and 1980s are still in great working order and some aspects remain the same. A single-stage RCBS RCBS press is as old as me, but it still makes great ammunition. However, it has evolved into a completely different set of tools when it comes to fine-tuning. I have die sets from 1960s that still work fine, but when I compare them to the modern dies, replete with micrometer adjustment dials and bushings to help preserve brass, it’s no wonder why today’s ammunition is so much more consistent.A selection of micrometer-adjustable seating dies from Redding and RCBS; these allow for precise adjustment of bullet seating depth. Massaro Media Group. The modern dies are one aspect of reloading that I think might need an upgrade, if only for their ease of adjustment. Adjustments to the seating depth can be made using the basic bullet seating tool and the threaded rod that is held in place by a bolt. Adjust the height of the seating cup by turning it. Repeat the process. It’s not that it was impossible to achieve a consistent seating depth. Welcome the micrometer-adjustable seating dies, with much rejoicing from my reloading bench.Baby StepsI first experienced the micrometer adjustment when I ordered a set of Redding Competition dies; the difference was immediately evident. My ammunition was more consistent and the time it took to get to the correct dimension (cartridge base to Ogive) was drastically reduced. The seating cup seems to stay in place, possibly due to the spring tension on my seating plug. I also note the micrometer settings for each projectile and their correlative lengths when loading multiple bullets for the same cartridge. This allows me to quickly and accurately adjust my seating dies. RCBS offers the Competition and Gold Medal series. These dies have a window cut into the side so that you can load the bullet from the side. Redding offers both. Some dies come with the micrometer adjustment and another with a replacement for their traditional seating plug. The spring-loaded Redding micrometer is my favorite. It seems to be the most consistent and reliable. Forster’s Bench Rest Ultra Micrometer Seater die is graduated down to 0.0005 inches. While it’s difficult to observe and repeat that level of precision, I like the Redding micrometer because it’s spring-loaded and the only variable. Reloaders will have more control over the seating depth. Redding also uses the technology to their taper-crimp die. Taper crimp is used on pistol cartridges with a headspace of less than.45 ACP. It’s very easy to adjust the amount of taper crimp using a micrometer, especially if you are using a progressive presses and switching between brands of brass. You can dial in a little more taper crimp if the brass is thicker. If it turns out that it is thinner, you can back it off. The micrometer adjustment is very useful and can be used in any way you like. It’s located just below the case being trimmed. Massaro Media Group. Reloading brass is another area where a micrometer adjustment might be necessary. My RCBS Universal Case Prep Center is a great tool. It’s fast, easy, accurate, and most importantly, it has a micrometer adjustment. When I have to trim cases to a particular length, it’s fantastic to be able to dial in the level of brass I need trimmed off and trust the machine to do exactly what I’ve asked of it, with the results turning out not only consistent but correct.Looking at how consistent and reliable the micrometer-adjustable reloading tools are, does it warrant the abandonment of all the older designs? It all depends on what level of precision you are looking for. If, like me, you pursue the utmost in accuracy, precision and consistency, then the micrometer-adjustable tools are assuredly a worthy investment.I can confidently say this: If you’re looking to purchase any sort of new reloading tools, the micrometer-adjustable models are certainly the way to go–the additional investment will be recouped in a short amount of time.Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2022 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.More On Reloading:Get Started in Reloading: NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Storm Tactical Printable Target Pack62 Printable MOA Targets with DOT Drills – Rifle Range in YARDSThis impressive target pack from our friends at Storm Tactical contains62 printable targetsfor rifle and handgun range use. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. This is a great option for long-range shooting. Enter your email address below.