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Reloading Forum >
Inline Wilson Seater vs. Redding Comp--Opinions?
Inline Wilson Seater vs. Redding Comp--Opinions?
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Moderator
27 posts
Sep 04, 2004
5:01 PM
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 In our Gear Reviews we recommend the use of a Wilson Micrometer-top inline seater die. Our 1000yd Editor, Jason Baney, also believes a Wilson, or the superb click-indexing inline seater by JLC Precision, will produce the most concentric rounds.
However, Kyle Brown set the 10-shot 1000yd World Record group with bullets seated with a Redding Competition seating die (photo). Obviously, he made pretty good ammo. So, is the Redding more than good enough? When you factor in the price of a good Arbor Press, using the Wilson die costs more money.
Last Edited by Moderator on Sep 04, 2004 8:57 PM
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ReedG
3 posts
Sep 04, 2004
7:50 PM
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My prejudice is toward the Redding because that's what I use. I don't believe a Wilson, which is indeed and excellent die and good equipment, can seat a bullet any more "straight" than a properly adjusted Redding Competition seater. My view would be that if you are already set up for loading the "arbor press" way, then by all means go with the Wilson seater. But if you are a "tradition" threaded die user then the Redding will seat as well as any type of shooting will require. I will also add into this mix the excellent Forster Micrometer seater die, which I use in .223. It is a very good piece of equipment, too.
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ReedG
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Riverine
1 post
Sep 04, 2004
9:38 PM
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I've used all 3 (Wilson, Redding Comp, and Forster) in different calibers. Overall, they're all good dies. I'm leaning to the Wilson now. I can't say it is machined better, but with a hand die you eliminate the thread slop in a press, and the chance that the shell-holder is misaligned with the die axis. I've also used the Reddings with an RCBS turret press and there's some vertical play in the turret head which can't be good.
I found the Forster works just as well as the Redding EXCEPT the Forster's index marks are hard to see, and I think the blued finish may be more prone to rust than the Redding. The first Forster I got also had the index marks over-stamped twice so it had to be exchanged. The only knock on the Redding is that the bottom of the seater stem (that contacts the bullet) has a sharp edge that can cut into softer jackets like the Scenars have. I chamfered and honed the inside lip of the stem mouth--but Redding should do this at the factory.
The Wilson isn't perfect either. Figure $75-$120 for an Arbor, and it's slow. But Wilson makes good stuff. I think their trimmer is the best non-powered unit available, and it's actually cheaper to buy the case holders than Forsters' collets and pilots.
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Jay, Idaho
1 post
Sep 07, 2004
4:52 AM
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I also think that either style can produce very concentric and consistent cartridges. The important thing is to make the seater, either Wilson style or die insert, with the chamber reamer. I lean toward the Wilson style because you can use the shim set (Sinclair, Haydon) to adjust seating depth instead of adjusting a die in a press.
The die or insert must be made by a skilled machininst or gunsmith that understands the required steps to keep the machined part very concentric. A quick and crappy job is unacceptable to a precision reloader.
One person's opinion.
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