For upmost accuracy .223 bolt gun

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Its also not difficult to have that capability to adjust almost any die in a press with precision. Actually easier if you don't have 3 or 4 hands, to hold everything, while making adjustments.



That said, if your sticking with the same thing, once you have found what you want, micrometer dies loose their usefulness.
 
jmorris said:
Its also not difficult to have that capability to adjust almost any die in a press with precision. Actually easier if you don't have 3 or 4 hands, to hold everything, while making adjustments.



That said, if your sticking with the same thing, once you have found what you want, micrometer dies loose their usefulness.
Click to expand...

Never seen that good ingenuity
 
Varminterror said:
Pick your poison. Honestly, out of all 3 of the Wilson options, I prefer the standard dies with the micrometer tops. They have 1) standard dies, 2) micrometer tops for the standard dies, and 3) micrometer dies. The difference: the standard die is just a solid steel body with an adjustable seating stem in the top “ram,” and the corresponding micrometer top upgrade has the micrometer collar in the top ram itself. The micrometer die uses the standard top, but has a micrometer collar threaded onto the die. Admittedly, I only prefer the standard+micro top combo because of how it feels in my hand, AND typically it costs about $10 less than the micrometer die. Any of the 3 options will make ammo of the same high quality and low run out, I just like the standard + micro top the best of the 3.

I typically order my Wilson dies from Gunstop.com. They seem to have more stuff in stock than most places, and often lower prices. Seems everyone is always sold out of Wilson dies, but they tend to have what I need, when I need it. The website’s kind of clunky to browse, but it’s easy to search.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips and clarity. I like the idea of standard plus micro tops....one could get the standard first, using alternative measuring methods such as those outlined above. Still usable, then add micro later.

Thanks,

Russellc
 
RussellC said:
Thanks for the tips and clarity. I like the idea of standard plus micro tops....one could get the standard first, using alternative measuring methods such as those outlined above. Still usable, then add micro later.

Thanks,

Russellc
Click to expand...
It's more expensive to buy the micrometer separately but I believe you can move it from die to die I'm not positive I don't own one
 
AJC1 said:
It's more expensive to buy the micrometer separately but I believe you can move it from die to die I'm not positive I don't own one
Click to expand...

Usually it ends up less expensive to buy the standard die and add the micrometer top than to buy the micrometer die. And yes. The micrometer tops can be used on multiple standard body dies (assuming your main spindle depth remains the same for all).

Example of pricing differential - saves $2 to buy the standard die + micro top instead of the micro die.

The micrometer die is $92, while the standard die is $54 plus $36 for the micrometer top.

C2D0B39F-1B13-46FC-AC8D-5EF0CCF57D58.png

vs.

9842D0A3-57F8-4344-99D9-5F953E977BED.png
+
F15A16A2-2A05-4ADF-B7BE-B582F905B762.png
 
I hope it works very well for you. I would set it up with a bushing size that lets the expander do some work, very minimal, but some work. Unless you neck turn brass.
 
Varminterror said:
Pick your poison. Honestly, out of all 3 of the Wilson options, I prefer the standard dies with the micrometer tops. They have 1) standard dies, 2) micrometer tops for the standard dies, and 3) micrometer dies. The difference: the standard die is just a solid steel body with an adjustable seating stem in the top “ram,” and the corresponding micrometer top upgrade has the micrometer collar in the top ram itself. The micrometer die uses the standard top, but has a micrometer collar threaded onto the die. Admittedly, I only prefer the standard+micro top combo because of how it feels in my hand, AND typically it costs about $10 less than the micrometer die. Any of the 3 options will make ammo of the same high quality and low run out, I just like the standard + micro top the best of the 3.

I typically order my Wilson dies from Gunstop.com. They seem to have more stuff in stock than most places, and often lower prices. Seems everyone is always sold out of Wilson dies, but they tend to have what I need, when I need it. The website’s kind of clunky to browse, but it’s easy to search.
Click to expand...

Which top did you use? One of these?

https://www.gunstop.com/products/re...micrometer-seater-top-for-standard-seater-die

or this?

https://www.gunstop.com/products/reloading-dies/l-e-wilson-ss-micrometer-bullet-seater-cap

I have no idea what the difference is between these two.

Thanks, Russellc
 
Whoops, I see your choice on #60. Do you know what the difference is between that and the other one I linked to?

Russellc
 
RussellC said:
Which top did you use? One of these?

https://www.gunstop.com/products/re...micrometer-seater-top-for-standard-seater-die

or this?

https://www.gunstop.com/products/reloading-dies/l-e-wilson-ss-micrometer-bullet-seater-cap

I have no idea what the difference is between these two.

Thanks, Russellc
Click to expand...

Flip a coin. One’s a Wilson product made for the Wilson dies, one’s a Sinclair product made for the Wilson dies. Virtually the same. I tend to buy the Wilson made tops, but can’t claim there’s any reason over the Sinclair.

My preference is really based on how the die fits in my hand. My pinky and ring finger hold the standard die body in my hand, then my index finger and thumb grips the head. I can slightly separate the head from the die body as I drop the die down onto the bullet and case, and again when I tip the die over to dump the completed round into my cartridge tray. That little separation seems to trigger release of the cartridge from the die. Just a matter of how I hold my tongue. It works for all 3 arrangements I described, but the fit in my hand is better for the fatter micro top (wilson or Sinclair either one) than it is for the standard top used in the standard die and the micro dies.

Purely subjective, based on how I hold and use my dies. The only objective difference is the $2-6 saved.
 
Good grief, I totally missed the Sinclair/Wilson brand thing! Again, I agree with you of course. Not only because I have little idea of what I am talking about, but I like the matching brand thing, and I have had nothing but good luck with my other Wilson stuff.

That said, Sinclair is top of the line in my book as well, and if the Wilson was not available I wouldn't lose any sleep with their product either.
Thanks for the clarification!

Russellc
 
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