Is anyone using GMW-Vickerman seating dies?

[piniongear]

I have recently come upon Vickerman seating dies made by Bob Gemmell of Gemmell Machine Works in Washington State.
His dies are some of the very best you will find in my opinion. Using a GMW-Vic die I loaded 20 rounds of my favored load of 38g of H380 powder and a 52g Sierra HPBT for my 22-250.
Previously... I used an RCBS Competition Seating Die and my rifle would deliver groups of 1+ inch to 1 1/2 inch groups at a 100 yards. That changed with the use of the Vickerman die. The group was a three quarter inch ragged hole that all 20 rounds went through. I am a poor shot myself, but I really admire those who have the talent.
This improvement in group size just amazed me. I am curious if anyone else have used the dies and what were your results? Any comment concerning these dies is welcome..........pg

 

[ReloaderFred]

I don't have any of the dies made by Gemmell Machine Works, but I've got several original Vickerman dies and like them a lot. They're expensive today, and go for high prices on ebay. I bought mine many, many years ago and have never regretted the purchase.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Walkalong]

Never heard of them. Where do you get them?

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Will they work on a co-ax press (clear the yoke) for 8x57, if that makes a difference?

Andy

 

[ReloaderFred]

The Vickerman die has a sliding collet inside the die, with an opening in the front. The case goes up into the die and the collet slides up with the case. The bullet is inserted into the opening in the front of the die and the collet holds it in alignment with the case while it's being seated. It's a slick arrangement and much faster and more accurate than standard loading dies.

As for fitting on the Co-Ax press, I don't know. I use mine on my Hollywood and RCBS Rockchucker presses. I've never tried it on my Hornady Pro-Jector, but I suppose it would work there, too.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[piniongear]

Where to get the Vickerman dies...

Walkalong...
You can get the Vickerman dies from Gemmells Machines Works.
The website is www.gmwvickerman.com and Bob Gemmell's phone number is 509-382-4159. Check out what he offers.
He makes dies with a micrometer head which sell for $98 and non microhead dies for $78. A shell holder is included with the price and shipping is only $5 per die. Very reasonable.
I have no connection with the company at all, other than being a very satisfied customer. His dies are way better than an RCBS that cost $68 and I suspect that they beat Redding as well in performance.....pg

 

[Walkalong]

Looks like good stuff. Reminds me of the Neil Jones seater die I use for my bench gun except it's not threaded and I use it with an Arbor press. They used to be $60 for each die. Used to be. I use a sizer die cut with the reamer that cut the chamber. (not the finish reamer)