Forster Bench Rest Seater Die Question

[462]

I have a .30-'06 Forster ultra micrometer bench rest seater die. Also, I have a .223 standard Forster bench rest seater die. Are the innards exchangeable from one to the other? If so, it would save me having to buy another $65 die, because it would be very easy to adjust the micrometer to accommodate the three or four .224" bullets.
Thanks.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

If you're talking about the Forster seating die with the spring-loaded sleeve, I'm going to say no. However, that is sight unseen for me because I do not have the standard Forster seating die. I don't think they would swap because the sleeve would need extra diameter for clearance.
I may be envisioning this all wrong, so maybe someone with both types on hand can chime in.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I was looking at mine just yesterday... somehow I have TWO for 243??? A regular "fancy" one and the fanciest precision one.

I will contact them and see if I can have one converted to 6mm Rem.

CW

 

[JonB]

I have had enough Forster Benchrest seater dies apart, I should know, but then again, I never tried to swap parts from one to another?

With that said, I found a real low priced 7mm STW Forster Benchrest seater die at a gunshow and converted it to 6.5x257R seater, by installing a brass sleeve inside the spring loaded sleeve. The brass sleeve was part of a used 7mm WSM case or 7mm RSAUM or something real similar? I was going to glue it in place, but during a dry fit, but it stuck in place so good, I was afraid of damaging it to put it out, so I left it. It has worked very well ever since.

CW, you might be able to convert the 243 yourself...heck, maybe it'll work as is?

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have had enough Forster Benchrest seater dies apart, I should know, but then again, I never tried to swap parts from one to another?

With that said, I found a real low priced 7mm STW Forster Benchrest seater die at a gunshow and converted it to 6.5x257R seater, by installing a brass sleeve inside the spring loaded sleeve. The brass sleeve was part of a used 7mm WSM case or 7mm RSAUM or something real similar? I was going to glue it in place, but during a dry fit, but it stuck in place so good, I was afraid of damaging it to put it out, so I left it. It has worked very well ever since.

CW, you might be able to convert the 243 yourself...heck, maybe it'll work as is?

It just might as long as neck tension is t too much or my sholders too soft. A 6 Remmy of coarse goes right in. But without that proper fit any advantage the die offers would be lost no??

I looked at disassembly quick and didnt see how to do it.

 

[Ian]

I should know, too, but I don't. I have heard that Forster used to sell just the sliding sleeves so a person could use the same die body for multiple chamberings, but quit doing it because they were losing money on complete dies. That tells me there's a good chance the inserts interchange, at least within a certain range of chamberings.

 

[JonB]

Dissassembly:
Just unscrew it...It's super simple.
I don't own the micrometer adjustable ones, just the regular Benchrest die with spring loaded sleeve..

 

[462]

Dissassembly:
Just unscrew it...It's super simple.

Jon, we were composing at the same time.

Bwana Larry has the .223 non-micrometer two die set on sale, plus he's delivering it at no extra charge. Don't need the full length sizer, but at the sale price it's free.

I already have a .223 non-micrometer die, but didn't want to disassemble it and lose its setting just to see if its parts would fit in the .30-'06 micrometer die. Once Larry delivers the new die, I'll see if the parts are interchangeable.

Last week I loaded 20 .223 rounds with Sierra's 69-grain HPBTs, and measuring with a Sinclair comparator all overall lengths were within a .001" range.

 

[Charles Graff]

I understand the advantages of straight line bullet seating having used Vickerman bullet seaters since the mid-60s. However, I don't get the micrometer thingie or fear of loosing the setting. When you have the round all dopped out, make a dummy round and put it up. Easy peasy to use that to set your seating dies. Less money, less time and no fear. Just because somebody wants to sell you something is no reason to buy it. Sure, they will tell you that you MUST have it, but they lie. Think about it, what did people do before they started putting micrometers on seating dies, or case trimmer for that matter? They made dummies to reset their dies and trimmer, that is what they did. Sometimes it helps to be old.

 

[462]

Yep, I've dummy rounds for every bullet and cartridge combination I load for.

I wouldn't've bought the micrometer die, but priced at $10 I wasn't going to self-debate its usefulness. Even a Lee die costs more than ten-bucks. I used it to load jacketed .30-'06 rounds, but those days are over, thus the thought of swapping innards.

 

[BudHyett]

Call Forster-Appelt, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, talk to the technical division. I've done this several times over the years and they are very helpful.

 

[462]

Call Forster-Appelt, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, talk to the technical division. I've done this several times over the years and they are very helpful.

An excellent suggestion and one that crossed my mind, but thought I'd ask here first.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Ill take some pics... I pulled ine apart or tried to... Didnt get too far.

CW

 

[462]

Ill take some pics... I pulled ine apart or tried to... Didnt get too far.

CW

If you want to, but the new die will be here in a week, or so, and I'll be disassembling them to see what's what.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I emailed Forester. They replied in a few hours!!

I CAN buy parts and convert.

I called today but was too late today. They will call tomorrow.

Here is pics if both mine (243) ill convert which ever is easier to do so.
Also still don't see disassembly. (Of the Ultra) But hopefully, they can explain this tomorrow.
They said it was pretty simple.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I figured out dissassembly. (Both basically same. Also appears same part in each.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

https://www.forsterproducts.com/pdf/catalog/RP-002-01_Bench-Rest-Ultra-Micrometer-Seater-Dies.pdf

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Here is what was sent to me.

"Thanks for contacting us about this, it is possible we can provide you the parts need to convert one of these dies. HERE is a parts compatibility chart, often it is simply switching the seating stem and the silver spring loaded chamber, however we do switch thread sizes at 257.



If you have any questions or decide to order these parts, give us a call @ 815-493-6360 and we would be happy to assist you.



Scott Kempel

Forster Products Inc.

310 SE Lanark Ave.

PO Box 123

Lanark, IL 61046

DUNS # 069944890

P: 815 493-6360

www.forsterproducts.com"

 

[462]

He's not exactly full of information.

Last night while looking at the drawing and comparing my .30-'06 micrometer die to the .223 non-micrometer die (still in its turret), at the minimum the "sleeve" and "die chamber" are required. Okay, easy enough, and probably economical enough as well. To get round not having to also change the seating stem, which would necessitate changing the "micro head", and "spindle lock nut", because of the differences in the seating stems' diameters, a dab of hot melt glue would suffice.

I'll know more Friday, when the new die is scheduled to arrive. I'm not enamored with the micrometer aspect, but if it can be converted for a few bucks . . .

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Just off the phone with Dina. All parts in stock. Order placed. Costs expensive but not prohibitively.

Im my case I needed a spring, 3$ a seater stem 15$ and a p30 Casing (silver sliding chamber) in 6mm for 29.10$. Shipping tomorrow.

I didnt even know the one init was incomplete!! Upon dissassembly I found a 30cal seater stem.... NO spring and 243 casing. The Ultra is complete and working.

Illl convert the Ultra to 6mm and leave bench Rest Bonanza for 243.

CW