The best review of this bullet seater I've seen. Your test was more thorough than Ultimate Reloader. Comparing it to factory match ammo was a great idea.
I have one that I use for 6ARC, which is a short cartridge, but a long boat tailed bullet. After watching your video, I was thinking about how to improve it. I found a drinking straw larger than the 6 mm and cut a small section off to go down the Vee portion of the collet. I took silicone sealant and put it around the straw so that now I have a full vertical tube to guide the bullet to the stem. I have run a few shells through, and it seems to work good.
Good video! I got one for my new 280AI. I started out loading Hornady bullets. The ELD X 175 gr and ELD M 180 gr. Bullets isn't centering up. Only issue so far for me.
Like the idea of changing out the lock ring. Good job on the videos. Glad I found your site. Just starting working with 6mm ARC and the videos are right what I needed to see.
How about a follow up video of the ammo being shot out to say 600 yards ? I would like to see the final results. And possibly use a mandrel in the case neck before seating the bullets.
I have one. Have been using it for a while now. I have put divots in the top of a few bullets. Its definitely intended for pointy match type bullets. regular fmj or hunting bullets tend not to work great if you want to drop them in the window but they will work if you feed from the bottom. Im not a fan of the lock ring set screw, I tried to swap in a hornady ring but it did not work well for me. I found the micrometer adjustment to be very good. Adjust the die, measure, and its what it said it was.
I just ordered this set and am looking forward to trying it out. The location of the detent seems to be the culprit as you discovered. I wonder how much run out you would get by just placing the bullet in the cartridge mouth and then seating? Also, as you mentioned, neck thickness is a concern, especially with non-match brass, so an expander mandrel in the sizing die may be something to consider.
I’m glad I watched your video on it. Been debating on getting this seating die. Didn’t know if the universal was worth it. Just because I’ve heard hit or miss on it.
The concentricity gauge showed it isn't all that good of a seating die. It is universal but the uniformity in concentricity is not there. I have one of these sets just for a backup alternative if I have a problem with any other seaters. Nice video it did show the flaws in this set up. It is a good die for getting the length right and if you are not into precision loading. The full-length seating dies specific cartridge are always the best. They do cost more each than this entire kit, but they are the best. The best ones are Redding, Forster, RCBS for a few. Hornady does not make a real full length cartridge bullet seater. They just have a shoulder support that is not as good as a full body length seating die. Very nice video.
You do realize most people, including you probably wouldn't ever notice the difference in a couple thousands of concentricity being off. If you're a PRS or some profession shooter then sure go for it, but average joes can't shoot good enough for it to matter.
It's a good effort on Franford's part but I found that my seating die upper bushing that holds the spring does not keep the bullet seating stem aligned. I found that it will hit the inside of the lip on the underside of the cap and seat a bullet deeper. I am having to set the lock ring for the 2 calibers I shoot each time iI want to seat a different projectile (.30-06 & 7MM). I think that if the bushing was twice as long it would do a better job of aligning the seating stem.
You didn't change that thing when you went from 6 arc to 6.5 creedmoor. Idk if that's why you had trouble or not. But 6mm .243, and 6.5 .264 are different as you know. I don't know how it even worked. You might have changed it and just edited it out idk.
@@thelonggunner762 Thank you. I'm curious if there would be enough room to drop the bullet in the window with a bullet that's shorter, and the stem would need to be adjusted down far enough seat it.
@@thelonggunner762 thanks...Just starting out. Heard great thinks a lbout both. Probably can't go wrong with either. But learning towards RCBS. What are your thoughts? Going to be loading 5.56 and 6mm arc to start with
The best review of this bullet seater I've seen. Your test was more thorough than Ultimate Reloader. Comparing it to factory match ammo was a great idea.
@@Lightfighterpr45 Thank you !
I have one that I use for 6ARC, which is a short cartridge, but a long boat tailed bullet. After watching your video, I was thinking about how to improve it. I found a drinking straw larger than the 6 mm and cut a small section off to go down the Vee portion of the collet. I took silicone sealant and put it around the straw so that now I have a full vertical tube to guide the bullet to the stem. I have run a few shells through, and it seems to work good.
Good video! I got one for my new 280AI. I started out loading Hornady bullets. The ELD X 175 gr and ELD M 180 gr. Bullets isn't centering up. Only issue so far for me.
Starrett cowlippers = instant street cred..
Like the idea of changing out the lock ring. Good job on the videos. Glad I found your site. Just starting working with 6mm ARC and the videos are right what I needed to see.
How about a follow up video of the ammo being shot out to say 600 yards ? I would like to see the final results. And possibly use a mandrel in the case neck before seating the bullets.
I have one. Have been using it for a while now. I have put divots in the top of a few bullets. Its definitely intended for pointy match type bullets. regular fmj or hunting bullets tend not to work great if you want to drop them in the window but they will work if you feed from the bottom. Im not a fan of the lock ring set screw, I tried to swap in a hornady ring but it did not work well for me. I found the micrometer adjustment to be very good. Adjust the die, measure, and its what it said it was.
I've been making ammo with mine for over a year now. Chucked the ring and went Lee Breech lock. It has been really solid.
Someone recommended it to me a few years back and best thing i bought.
I just ordered this set and am looking forward to trying it out. The location of the detent seems to be the culprit as you discovered. I wonder how much run out you would get by just placing the bullet in the cartridge mouth and then seating? Also, as you mentioned, neck thickness is a concern, especially with non-match brass, so an expander mandrel in the sizing die may be something to consider.
Just brought one myself using it strictly for hunting ammunition
Works good on my 338-06
I’m glad I watched your video on it. Been debating on getting this seating die. Didn’t know if the universal was worth it. Just because I’ve heard hit or miss on it.
The concentricity gauge showed it isn't all that good of a seating die. It is universal but the uniformity in concentricity is not there. I have one of these sets just for a backup alternative if I have a problem with any other seaters. Nice video it did show the flaws in this set up. It is a good die for getting the length right and if you are not into precision loading. The full-length seating dies specific cartridge are always the best. They do cost more each than this entire kit, but they are the best. The best ones are Redding, Forster, RCBS for a few. Hornady does not make a real full length cartridge bullet seater. They just have a shoulder support that is not as good as a full body length seating die. Very nice video.
You do realize most people, including you probably wouldn't ever notice the difference in a couple thousands of concentricity being off. If you're a PRS or some profession shooter then sure go for it, but average joes can't shoot good enough for it to matter.
It's a good effort on Franford's part but I found that my seating die upper bushing that holds the spring does not keep the bullet seating stem aligned. I found that it will hit the inside of the lip on the underside of the cap and seat a bullet deeper. I am having to set the lock ring for the 2 calibers I shoot each time iI want to seat a different projectile (.30-06 & 7MM). I think that if the bushing was twice as long it would do a better job of aligning the seating stem.
You didn't change that thing when you went from 6 arc to 6.5 creedmoor. Idk if that's why you had trouble or not. But 6mm .243, and 6.5 .264 are different as you know. I don't know how it even worked. You might have changed it and just edited it out idk.
Thank you for this video, and the detailed review! Made a subscriber out of me.
Have you tried 300 Blackout with short bullets like the 110 V-Max?
I haven't reloaded that projectile, but I have shot the factory loaded round and it did well so I might in the future.
@@thelonggunner762
Thank you. I'm curious if there would be enough room to drop the bullet in the window with a bullet that's shorter, and the stem would need to be adjusted down far enough seat it.
Mine had a spring loaded click when i lower the newly seated cartridgem does yours do it as well?
So which dies are better? Forrester or RCBS?
I've produced sub half MOA groups using both brands. I do prefer the seaters with the bullet window though.
@@thelonggunner762 thanks...Just starting out. Heard great thinks a lbout both. Probably can't go wrong with either. But learning towards RCBS. What are your thoughts? Going to be loading 5.56 and 6mm arc to start with
The majority of my reloading stuff is RCBS, I've been happy with the brand in general
It says universal is it rifle only universal or pistol too
Rifle only
Is it compatible for the 300 win mag?
Yes, It is long enough magnum cartridges
@@thelonggunner762 thanks