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My Frankford seating die showed up today. I’m excited to try and use it. The only foreseeable problem would be having to adjust the lock ring for different cartridges, making the micrometer setting not repeatable. But may be it will be fine. I will report more as I use it.
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JTD
That's an interesting seating die. The die portion looks like a Vickerman seater. Having a senior moment forgetting names. but this die ,overall, is similar to a Lyman bench rest die from some years back. I don't think there is anything really new here. I'm reluctant to do business with any of Midway's companies based on past experience.
I’m not familiar with the vickerman dies. Where I see the most similarity is with the Hornady seating die. Hornady uses generic die bodies with caliber specific inserts, that along with the bullet window that rcbs uses on their match seating die. I got a really good deal on it, so if it turns out to be trash, no big loss, but it will definitely be fun to try out.
Ive not had any bad experiences with midway, and I’ve been very happy with all my new frankford arsenal stuff, I’m hoping this will be good also.
JTD
I seated 18, 223 75gr hpbt this morning. Was nice as far as I could tell. I locked the lock ring down, and set the die body high and mic kinda low for 223, in hopes that I will have the range of adjustment I need for longer cases without having to loosen the lock ring.
JTD
If you do have to end up changing the lock ring, put a Hornady lock ring on, I believe them to be simpler to use and more consistent. I see your point on losing the advantage of the mic option, but still would be nice for working up loads, especially when looking for optimum OAL. I am interested in your thoughts on this as you learn.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
You must be reading my mind. I fully intend to use a Hornady lock ring if I need to change the lock ring depth every time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyeralan
I was also thinking the same about load development. It will be very handy for that, if nothing else.
As I use it I will keep updating this post. I’m hoping to use it on 257roberts and 257 Ackley, soon.
JTD
I measured all 18 223 rounds that I loaded. They range from 2.240 - 2.254”. I got a little concerned with the .014” variance so I measured them all with the comparator. 2.829 - 2.830”, so the seater was definitely consistent.
JTD
I used the Frankford seating die on two more calibers. I loaded some 257 Ackley with 117gr SST, last night. They turned out great. This morning I loaded some 7.5x55 with 178gr ELDX. I used the medium length seating stem for both the the 257 and 7.5, because I was going off of case length and desired over all length. Frankford recommends the short stem for .308, but says using the other is ok. The only issue I ran into using the medium stem on the 7.5, was having to make sure the bullet tip centered in the seating stem. Not a big issue just something to remember.
The micrometer adjustments seem to be spot on and has been very easy to adjust to my desired seating depth.
JTD
I loaded some 257 Roberts with the Frankford seating die.
Years ago I had a great load for this rifle. 117gr Hornady btsp over 42.8gr of H4350. But for the life of me (and my ex throwing away all of my load data notebooks) don’t remember the seating depth. I believe it was close to the lands but am not certain.
Ive loaded this load with the bullets .020” of the lands, and although it was plenty accurate enough to hunt with, it wasn’t as accurate as my original load.
So today I loaded some at .020” off the lands and then .015”, .010”, and .005” off the lands. The die worked perfectly. I moved the micrometer .005” for each load and checked each with the comparator and they were perfect. Beats the hell out of trying to adjust my 1976 vintage rcbs die each time.
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The only thing I’m really curious about is concentricity and runout. I don’t have a concentricity tool at this time, but I can’t see it introducing any more than any other mid priced die. Anyways, just a random thought running through my head.
JTD
I loaded some 7.5x55 today, with the Frankford seating die. I snugged the die down and adjusted the micrometer to the setting I used on my initial tests. The loaded rounds came out .003” long. I feel like the variance may be caused by the lock ring, so I am going to replace the factory lock ring with a Hornady one. The loaded rounds all came out very consistent with each other, just not consistent with the initial batch I loaded.
JTD
That still seems pretty good for a universal seater. I’ve never used one, but that seems better than I figured it would do, even if 0.003” longer than what you were going for.
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Thanks for the update! This is an intriguing idea and I am glad to hear your input.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
You are right, .003” is not a lot, but if it changes a little each time, that’s enough to drive me bonkers. It wasn’t hard to adjust for though, so there is that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbotto
JTD
Next time I go to Cabelas, I’m going to pick up a six pack of Hornady lock rings. Hopefully they will do the trick. I’ll keep updating as I go.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyeralan
JTD
Jeffery, I am seriously considering putting this on my Christmas list. I load a lot of rifle loads that I do not crimp and this seems to be a great idea. I am a precision nut, turn necks for a few of my rifles to get consistent tension and this seems like a good fit. One of my calibers is .204 and there is no sleeve for that so I think I am going to hold off for the moment. Are you aware of any options or plans for a .204 option for this die?
I haven’t heard or seen anything about extra/different parts coming down the pike. I’m curious if the would have to include a new seating stem for any sub 22 calibers if they offered a sleeve.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyeralan
JTD
I loaded a new batch of 257 Roberts AI last night. I set the micrometer to the previous setting I had used on the original test loads. Once again my rounds were .003” long. Just like with the 7.5x55. The final test will be on the next time I load both of those calibers. If the seating depth changes again next time I will be disappointed. Stay tuned.
JTD
Alright. Ive been able to use the universal seating die some more and have my final thoughts on it. Ive loaded 7.5x55 (2 different bullets), 257 Roberts, 257 ackley, and 300 savage, 2 to 3 times each since my last post. The die works very well, the settings have been repeatable and the micrometer adjustments are precise. It works great for testing seating depths, and when taken off and put back on the press, the adjustments are dead on. So, needless to say, I am very happy with this die and would definitely recommend it.
JTD
Great to hear! How did switching up the lock ring go? Any noticeable differences in consistency, batch to batch?Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
JTD,Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
Thank you for following through on this review! I am very interested, but have been unable to pull the trigger because of the lack of a 204 seater. I have two at this point and they are pretty high priority right now. Maybe they will add it? Or, maybe I will cave and buy it anyway. Either way I sure appreciate you reporting back.
The lock ring switch was key. The brass screw on the original lock ring just wouldn’t hold it tight. The Hornady lock ring is rock solid.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbotto
JTD
You are very welcome. I don’t think they have plans for smaller calibers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyeralan
JTD
Funny how the little things make a huge difference! In my old Bonanza Co-Ax press dies slide in and out of a slot. That slot is made to hold a specific lock ring. Forster rings fit perfect and function how they should in this press. They are expensive for just lock rings, but worth the extra money to me. I've tried other rings and some work ok, some don't.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
Luckily the Hornady lock rings are cheap, and I appreciate that they don’t screw into the threads of the die.
JTD
This will be my last post for this thread, unless somebody has any questions that I can help answer. I loaded some 257 Roberts Ackley Improved the other day. The last time I used the die was for this same round, testing seating depth. I tightened the die down, and adjusted the micrometer to the desired setting. The 117gr SST was spot on, exactly the depth I wanted. Needless to say, I’m still very pleased with this die.
JTD