Redding Offers Retro-Fit Micrometer Stems for Standard Seaters
They have been on the market for nearly a year, but you may not know that Redding sells a line of Micrometer Seater assemblies, which can be used to upgrade Redding’s standard ½-20 thread seater dies. These replacements allow you to enjoy the ease-of-use and precision of a micrometer seater, without buying a whole new die. Redding states that “the new Bullet Seating Micrometers are a direct [retro-fit] replacement for the original seating plugs and can easily be changed from one die to another.” Unfortunately, these add-on micrometer stems haven’t started shipping yet, and Redding has not provided a firm delivery date (or price). We are hoping the products will start arriving by mid-summer.
NOTE: the seater assemblies are a component of the bullet seating die. These are not the dies themselves. It is the top portion of the die that contains the plunger, which pushes the bullet into the case. And here is something important: these new Bullet Seating Micrometers are available for both traditional tangent ogive bullet shapes as well as for VLD (secant ogive) bullets.
That’s right, Redding now offers micrometer seater assemblies made specifically for Berger VLD bullets. These Seating Micrometers allow you to convert a standard seater to a Micrometer seater optimized for VLDs. That’s great news for VLD fans. Eric Stecker of Berger Bullets tells us: “We have confirmed with Redding that each of the new micrometer plugs in the VLD group were designed based on Berger VLD bullets. We provided all of our VLD bullets to Redding, from which they took deliberate measurements and made these new plugs.”
New VLD-specific Seater Stems Improve Bullet Seating Depth Consistency
Stecker explains how the new VLD-specific seater assemblies produce better, more accurate ammo: “Many shooters have problems getting the VLD bullets to shoot because of the bullet seater die they are using. VLD bullet noses are so long and sharp that, in many dies, the bullet tip bottoms out in the bullet seater stem instead of touching on the side of the ogive like it should. Seating depth inconsistencies up to .025″ can occur if the seater stem bottoms out on the bullet tip. The worst part is that many shooters have no idea that this is the root cause of their poor performance. This new product can help turn a frustrating shooting experience into an enjoyable one.”
Similar Posts:
- Redding Now Offers Micrometer Heads for Standard Seating Dies
- Redding Add-On Micrometer Seating Stems Now Shipping
- Tech Tip: Lapping the Inside of Seating Stems
- For Better Bullet Seating — Try Lapping Inside of Seating Stems
- Improve Bullet Seating Consistency — Lap Your Seating Stems
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Tags: Berger Bullets, Redding Reloading, Seater Die, Secant Ogive, VLD
How much and where to buy?
Went looking for these just last week on Reddings site and unable to find..
Redding has not even made them yet. They have pushed back the release date time and time again. Evidently, Redding has had troubles with there mfg process and machines. All their new for 2011 is vaporware. Great ideas and no production! They should have not even bothered introducing products they can not produce. Their MGMT must be taking lessons from Hornady and RCBS about vaporware products!
Have seen these available for several months halve two in hand what’s the problem.
Shane, your post is nearly a year after the most recent prior by “plinker625″. This may have something to do with the discontinuity.
Apparently plinker is either carrying a lot of baggage about reloading manufacturers and found this area a suitable location to vent that angst. That, or he/she was having a bad day.