I have just bought Redding's Competition seater die and adjusted it as per their instructions, that is, screwing it down in the press until the bottom of the die body contacts the shellholder, and backing it of a little, just to have the micrometer marks looking to the front.

But then, I cannot seat the bullets long enough, as desired, as I would totally unscrew the micrometer part of the die before reaching that point.

Can I gain COL by backing off the die the two, maybe two and a half full turns that I need? My concern is that by doing so the body of the case would not have good support inside the die and produce cartridges with bad bullet to case alignment.

The gun that I am loading for is a long theoated 7X57 Mauser.

Chamois

That will work. Make sure the sliding sleeve that supports the case does so before you feel any seating taking place.

Thank you!

Back the die off but also be aware that there is an adjustment to raise and lower the seating stem, look at the top of the adjustment knob. In the center there is a hole that allows access via a hex wrench. Turn it counter clockwise to raise the stem. I usually adjust the die so that at least 1/4 inch of the sliding sleeve is exposed at rest. Rick.

RickSmith,
Even turning the seating stem counterclockwise to its uppermost possible position (before it is totally unscrewed) the loaded cartridge is shorter than what I'd like.
I am not sure I understand what you mean when you say "so that at least 1/4 inch of the sliding sleeve is exposed at rest"... Do you refer to the amount of sleeve that is protruding under the body of the die?
Thank you!

BTW, I've had this same problem with a seater. With one, I took it to my gunsmith who inside reamed the die body where the sliding sleeve stops so it could extend even further out of the die. I could then back it off of th shell holder enough to have it supported before any seating began

I meant to say when the die is down all the way there is 1/4" of sleeve exposed. The seater stem when in it's uppermost position should bottom out and be tight and not be totally unscrewed. If that doesn't work for you, I would contact Redding. Rick.

I will load some cartridges, measure their concentricity, and then shoot them during the weekend and see how it goes.

If it does not wor I will contact Redding and see.

Thank you!