Forster Competition Seater / 30-06

[MEHavey]

At the suggestion of some on the Forum here, I picked up a Forster Comp Seater to compare bullet runout against my Redding Comp Seater.

With Redding, you screw the die into the press until the sleeve compresses against the shellholder/into the die all the way,
then back off a few thousandths for clearance.

Forster also has the sliding sleeve, but instructs me to screw the die down anywhere from "...two-five more turns..." after the sleeve first contacts the shellholder.
Normally I'd think setting up to run the sleeve as deep as possible as seating takes place would be to my advantage.

`Thoughts from other Forster users here?

 

[USSR]

MEHavey,

Looking forward to the results of your comparison.

Don

 

[Walkalong]

Set it up so as much of the full diameter part of the bullet (bearing surface) is up in the part of the die that aligns the bullet. That part is a hair over bullet diameter. The more of the bullet you can get in there before the seating begins the better. Of course you have to have it so you can fully seat the bullet as well. That is why no set number of turns after contact works. At least that is how I do it.

 

[MEHavey]

Took two sets of Competition-Die loaded 30-06 rounds to the range today. One loaded with the Forster die, one with the Redding.

Velocity goal was the Gov't's M118/7.62 Match/173gr load for 2,550fps.

Rifle is a (New) Model 70 w/ relatively light "sporter" barrel. Bullets were seated with one stroke as opposed to two w/ a half turn; and max run-out point was oriented "up" in the chamber upon firing.

Initial impression was that the Redding Die was the Ferrari (slim-trim), the Forster was the Chevy Impala (slightly bigger-dia Micrometer dial)

Both were tight and neither showed signs of loose lashup (as the RCBS Comp die definitely did). The larger Forster Micrometer head had (naturally) larger dial marker distances for each 0.001' of adjustment. (Ostensibly a good thing).

The Range results speak for themselves. Neither outdid the other to any significant degree.