Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

[BCP]

I need a new seating die for 223 loads and have been looking at the Forster dies & am wondering about the differences between the two. Am I right in thinking that the ultra micrometer just gives a little bit more precise seating adjustment over the benchrest die and nothing else?

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

The Ultra is marked with numbers making seating depth adjustments fast n easy

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

The micrometer is helpful if you load a variety of bullets but if you stick to 2-3 it isn't really a big advantage once you've found your load

 

[fw707]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

I've got both.
They both give you the same precision seating, but the Ultra gives you a number on a dial that is easily repeatable if you are loading more than one bullet in that caliber.
It's so easy to re-adjust the standard Benchrest die that I don't buy the Micro dies anymore.


I measure base-to-ogive OAL's with a Sinclair comparator and digital calipers and write down the measurements in a notebook on my bench.


Geez, I didn't realized I typed so slow!

 

[holdoff]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

Like fw707 said,

The dies are the same. The mic top is very fast to dial in a setting, especially using an ogive comparator. I find that I don't use the mic for absolute measurements due to the fact that I float the die with a rubber o-ring and in doing so my die adjustment varies just enough to void that particular benefit of the die.

When I switch to a turret press, I plan on buying multiples of the non mic seater. Then i can dial each to the specific bullet I load and then I don't have worry about readjusting dies each time.

Bottom line, they are wonderful dies.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

"..the ultra micrometer just gives a little bit more precise seating adjustment over the benchrest die and nothing else?"

The "precision" is no different, it's just a tad easier to adjust. I have one with the mic head and five more without because I found the heads are not worth the cost to me but that's a personal taste thing.

 

[71firebird400]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

Does anyone else experience an obvious clicking noise from the Forster seating dies just as you begin to pull the cartridge back out of the die?

I have dies in 308 and 338 and they both do this. I emailed Forster and they had no idea what it could be, but a friend of mine has the same die in 338 and he says it makes the noise. Perhaps its the seating stem 'gripping' the bullet and not wanting to release it? Any info would be appreciated.

 

[vman]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

The ultra is handy is your testing seating depth.

I have set my die so that it reads zero as the distance to the lands for my rifle.

 

[M4-Pilot]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

The clicking noise you are hearing is from the compression spring on the seating die stacking. If you back your die off a couple of turns, and then run your seating stem in accordingly, it typically will get quieter if not go away all together. Keep in mind, the inline bullet seating dies don't get any advantage from running them in much further than it takes for the spring loaded part to touch the shell holder when the ram is up all the way. (that sounds funny as I read it, to clarify, I try to adjust them so that the compression sleeve is touching the shell holder just before the bullet touches the case mouth. Not always possible with long bullets though) It also makes it easier to put the longer micrometer style seaters in the box. I have never understood why Redding in particular makes their boxes so small.

Edited AGAIN to add: Just go with the benchrest seater. Its cheaper and just as accurate. It only takes a second longer to adjust and it MAY be more consistent given that I have noticed the micrometer settings can "migrate" a bit over long batches. Thats typically only if the force required to turn the micrometer dial is pretty loose though.

 

[71firebird400]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M4-Pilot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The clicking noise you are hearing is from the compression spring on the seating die stacking. If you back your die off a couple of turns, and then run your seating stem in accordingly, it typically will get quieter if not go away all together. Keep in mind, the inline bullet seating dies don't get any advantage from running them in much further than it takes for the spring loaded part to touch the shell holder when the ram is up all the way. (that sounds funny as I read it, to clarify, I try to adjust them so that the compression sleeve is touching the shell holder just before the bullet touches the case mouth. Not always possible with long bullets though) It also makes it easier to put the longer micrometer style seaters in the box. I have never understood why Redding in particular makes their boxes so small.

Edited AGAIN to add: Just go with the benchrest seater. Its cheaper and just as accurate. It only takes a second longer to adjust and it MAY be more consistent given that I have noticed the micrometer settings can "migrate" a bit over long batches. Thats typically only if the force required to turn the micrometer dial is pretty loose though. </div></div>

Thanks. Currently I have them setup per Forster's instructions (screwed in until they bottom out against the shell holder, and then backed out 1 full turn). I'll back the die out one more additional turn and see if the noise goes away.

 

[M4-Pilot]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

No problem. What kind of bullets are you loading? Are you seeing an obvious ring where the seating stem is contacting the bullet too?

 

[holdoff]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

M4-Pilot,

Thanks for the detailed explanation of the "click".

 

[71firebird400]

Re: Forster Benchrest vs. Ultra Micrometer dies?

M4-Pilot; I backed it off a turn and it's completely silent! I'm actually going to let Forster know, since they couldn't explain it and wanted me to send the die back to look at it.

Bullets are 175 Sierra MatchKings in 308; 300 MatchKings and 250 Lapua Scenars in 338. I actually just finished loading 13 rounds on the 338 and the die appears to be leaving substantially less of a mark on the bullet. Don't know if that's my imagination or not, but tonight it just didn't look that significant where in the past it was pretty obvious.

Thanks again, really appreciate it.