.223 seating die on a progressive

[Fried Chicken Blowout]

Looking for suggestions on the best .223 seating die on a progressive press for precision loading. I'm using a standard Hornady seating die now with the micro adjustment on it. It seems to putting a little indenting ring into the bullet when seating. I'd like to improve on that and also insure that the rounds are as concentric as they can be. These are being used in an AR so it dosent have to be perfect but any little bit better would be nice

Thanks!

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: .223 seating die on a progressive

I actually use the Hornady New Dimension dies and Micro Seating stem for 223, 22-250, 308 and 338LM, although I now have the Forster MicroSeater for the latter.

They work pretty well. I do use a Redding Competition seater for 7 RemMag and I love that die, to be sure.

If you could wave your magic wand and grant me any of the 4 micro seaters--RCBS, Forster, Redding and the Hornady combo, I'd take the Reddings, but I'm also not jonesing to get rid of the Hornady duo and plunk down another $250, just to have the Reddings.

The Redding and Forster seaters more fully support the case body during the seating process, whereas the Hornady is only partially supported, is the way I understand it.

Still, I make accurate ammo with the Hornady micro seaters and much like the other three, it's a lot slicker than the standard, coarse threaded seater plugs you find on most common dies.

Chris

 

[SJshooter]

Re: .223 seating die on a progressive

I use a rcbs comp die which has a side window and holds the bullet after I drop it in.

 

[jschroed]

Re: .223 seating die on a progressive

Take a look at Dillon Precision dies.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: .223 seating die on a progressive

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SJshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use a rcbs comp die which has a side window and holds the bullet after I drop it in. </div></div>

I use this die also, mine is a gold medal, same thing. That way I don't fat finger stuff.

The ring or indent on your bullets is caused by a sharp edge in your seating plug, this can be sanded or machined out.
Or you are using Hornady Vmax bullets that have a thinner jacket compared to Ballistic tips, or Blitzking's. I never liked that ring either, but it did not effect accuracy.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: .223 seating die on a progressive

It sounds like your seating pressure might be a little high. Are the cases merely sized and not chamfered?

If you're sizing and trimming your cases using a Dillon Rapid Trim remember, this setup does not expand the neck after sizing. Still need to expand the cases or bullets will need excessive pressure to seat thus leaving a "ring" caused by the seater plug.

If all is good as far as case neck prep and expansion, consider having a custom seater plug made to fit the bullet of your choice. Rather than just contacting the bullet tangentially, it will be formed to the curvature of the bullet and press evenly.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: .223 seating die on a progressive

The RCBS die compitition die will not work with a progressive.

Forester seating dies are my 1st choice. A search on here will tell the soft seating stem problems with Redding seating dies. I've heard about good results with the Hornady dies.

 

[Norkon]

Re: .223 seating die on a progressive

What 1lnbrdg said...


I have RCBS for the window because its easier to handle the bullets, when/if you buy it make sure you get the right one.

Gold Medal Match seater for progressives
competition seater for single stage

They look identical, but the latter requires a different shell holder, without it you'll never seat a bullet deep enough.

the competition will not work for progressives. none the less the window is pretty awesome and so far my experience has been good with it.

 

[Fried Chicken Blowout]

Re: .223 seating die on a progressive

Thanks guys. Bases on the suggestions here and the reviews on Brownell/Sinclair I ordered the Forester Ultra Bullet Seating Die today. I'll keep my Hornady setup for 55gr loads but use this one for 75-77gr loads.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=37190/sku=749-006-865/Product/FORSTER-Ultra-Bullet-Seater-223-Rem

 

[Fried Chicken Blowout]

Re: .223 seating die on a progressive

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It sounds like your seating pressure might be a little high. Are the cases merely sized and not chamfered?

If you're sizing and trimming your cases using a Dillon Rapid Trim remember, this setup does not expand the neck after sizing. Still need to expand the cases or bullets will need excessive pressure to seat thus leaving a "ring" caused by the seater plug.
</div></div>

I am using the Dillon Rapid Trim in station 3. But in station 5 I use an RCBS match sizing die backed out to just punch the neck if needed. Most cases don't actually get the neck expanded but it's there incase I need it. I could get a tad larger neck sizer for that die but I figured I'd leave it tight since they are running in an AR. I'm afraid of getting bullet setback when they bullet feeds. I'm sure the tight neck is part of the ring that's being pressed into the bullet, but I'll look at that more after I try the Forester seating die.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: .223 seating die on a progressive

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCB</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It sounds like your seating pressure might be a little high. Are the cases merely sized and not chamfered?

If you're sizing and trimming your cases using a Dillon Rapid Trim remember, this setup does not expand the neck after sizing. Still need to expand the cases or bullets will need excessive pressure to seat thus leaving a "ring" caused by the seater plug.
</div></div>

I am using the Dillon Rapid Trim in station 3. But in station 5 I use an RCBS match sizing die backed out to just punch the neck if needed. Most cases don't actually get the neck expanded but it's there incase I need it. I could get a tad larger neck sizer for that die but I figured I'd leave it tight since they are running in an AR. I'm afraid of getting bullet setback when they bullet feeds. I'm sure the tight neck is part of the ring that's being pressed into the bullet, but I'll look at that more after I try the Forester seating die. </div></div>

I handle the "expanding" by mounting a Lee Collet Die in Station 1 of my "loading toolhead". Adjusted down just enough to push the mandrel into the case neck and for the de-priming pin to make sure the flash hole is clear of any cleaning media.

This colllet die is cheaper than just the expander body from Sinclair and with it you still have to purchase the mandrel in a correct size.