Hey everyone!

I am totally new to reloading, but have reloaded thousands of shotshells in the past. I recently acquired a brand new Bonanza (not Forster) Co-Ax. I'm not in any rush to start loading (hopefully by spring) but would like to start acquiring the necessities.

I am looking for dies and would primarily be loading 22-250 for a Tikka T3 mainly for coyotes. I would like to stay with Forster dies and money is a non-issue.

I'm thinking of getting the full length sizing die but not quite 100% sure on the seating die. I'm leaning towards the micrometer. Can anyone give me some advice on the two? Thanks for your help!

If the money is no big deal get the micrometer die. You will like that feature though it may take a number of years to appreciate it.

Your shot shell loading experience is not directly applicable to rifle rounds for a number of reasons. Primarily it is hard to notice any performance differences with shotshells. Accuracy differences with a rifle are readily apparent.

Check with Forster by phone - they are easy to reach and usually helpful - before you buy a micrometer seater.
The co-ax press does not have a lot of clearance under the handle for longer dies, and the micrometer adds quite a bit of length to the die. Surprisingly, even though they are Forster dies, not all will work in a co-ax. My co-ax is a great press, & it is easy to set up and use. I use the Forster benchrest seater for my 22-250. I just build, label, and keep a "dummy" round when I get the right COAL for each bullet and case combo that I load, and then when I want to return the seater to that length after loading a different type of bullet, I use the "dummy" round to set up the die. It took longer to write this reply than it takes to set the die using this method.

quote:

Forster Benchrest Seater Die vs Ultra Micrometer Seater Die

Well, the ONLY difference is the mic head itself. The mic head simply makes it easier to obtain a specific OAL. How much that matters depends on how difficult you find it to adjust the uncalibrated seating stem. I have some of both types and won't spend the money for a mic head again, they are nice but the longer I use them the less need I feel for that feature. Fact is, I've learned that obtaining a given OAL within a range of maybe 5 thou is meaningless on targets. That is NOT to say the mic heads are a disadvantage in any way, they just aren't my personal preference anymore.

Thanks for the replies everyone!!!

I use Forster BR seater dies in nearly all my loading...not the micro head though..I also shoot Tikka rifles...your Tikka will be normally loaded to OAL mag length....yes the Tikka has a normal long factory throat...I see the microhead's advantage when loading different COAL..but if loading the same OAL al the time...there is no dis advantage to the std BR seater...try some new 53 gr V max in the Tikka 22-250.....

The micrometer version is a bit easier to adjust, so if you are looking at seating quite a few different bullets, that is an easy way to go.

If you are looking at settling on a particular load, using a particular bullet, the version without the micrometer works just as well, and offers considerable savings.

Nice dies, my favorite seaters for the $$$.

- mike

quote:

Originally posted by eliscomin:
Check with Forster by phone - they are easy to reach and usually helpful - before you buy a micrometer seater.
The co-ax press does not have a lot of clearance under the handle for longer dies, and the micrometer adds quite a bit of length to the die.

This is a very good statement. The newer Forster presses have more clearance then their older ones. The Bonanza will probably have no more clearance then an older Forster perhaps less. Forster will know the answer to this.

That said, a micrometer seating die does make life a bit easier when trying to get that exact seating depth.

Ken....

FIRST...you must understand that there is variation...5 to 20 thou or even more...in the overall length of bullets AND points on the bullet profile where the seating stem usually pushes on the bullet.

Therefore using a micrometer seater DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY impart an additional accuracy potential.

I've been using Forster Ultra, RCBS, Redding and Wilson micrometer seaters for a very, very long time, in addition to custom-fit-to-the-chamber/case neck/bullet OD for benchrest competition, many years ago, and for my "normal" reloading of ALL my rifles no matter WHAT the caliber...which runs from 17 to 50 cals.

I also measure and separate EVERY bullet I shoot and once I find the "sweet spot" as far as seating length and load parameters go. I use the micrometer to set the base to ogive length and shoot the bullets in the separated groups.

You, being new to this reloading game, wouldn't
necessarily gain from using a micrometer head and it might just mess you up as to learning the basics...sorta like jumping over the crawling/walking period into the running part and just running in circles and/or in place.

Learn the basics thoroughly with standard seaters, you can get just as close as with a micrometer head, but it is more difficult and requires other understanding than using the micrometer AND the micrometer head can and will mess up you up IF don't watch out also.

Micrometer seaters make adjustments very easy and quick, but have their own "problem area" you have to keep in mind. Everything in this sport is totally simple, yet can be unbelievably complicated and precise depending on your needs and expectations.

It wouldn't hurt to have/use BOTH types of seater head/stems, at least for one caliber, and use BOTH to learn the intricacies of seating among the two.

Luck

It fits!