What can you guys tell me about the Forster Benchrest bullet seater? Is it as good as advertised? I'm looking to get one in 220 Swift.

Can't go wrong. Excellent quality but off the mainstream for some reason. I've had my Bonanza/forster for many years and have lost count many times over the number of 7-08 bullets that it has seated.

Buy it. Standard or micrometer.

I've used a standard in 243 and a micrometer head version in 308, both are excellent.

Remember these dies do their best with good brass that has been sized straight. They're great tools but they don't cure ills that occur earlier in the loading process.

Good enough that Redding basicly copies the sleeve with their inline micrometer dies. It gives better results (less runout) that a standard die while being much cheaper than the Redding Competition seater.

I use that die for my 308 match loads. Good die! Ditto that straight brass to begin with matters.

I ordered it this a.m. from Sinclair. If I'm happy with it, I will get one for my 222. Thank you all for the input, I'll keep you posted on the results.

I got it, and I used it, and I wish I had owned it 30 yers ago. Great tool at a reasonable price. Next will be one in 6.5x55.

Thanks, Luke

fwiw,
I can't agree more with the above... You can seat the perfect bullet with the World's Finest Sliding Chamber Seating die in brass that has had the neck pulled out of round and get anything but Runout or TIR...

I have 20 sets of Forster Ultra Dies and Love the Seater, however, I do not care for the sizing dies. Their decapping and expander ball will induce TIR. I simply buy a Redding Standard Die or a Redding S Type Die with Ti Bushing and replace the expander ball with a Redding Carbide Expander Ball. With prudent use you can stay under .0015" TIR. Get a runout gauge if you don't have one. I use a Sinclair with a Swiss Compaq .0005" indicator...fwiw

Regards, Matt Garrett
757-581-6270

Sinclair/Starrett Neck Thickness Gauge


Sinclair/Starrett TIR Gauge


I would not recommend going to the expense of Starrett Dial Indicators. They are overrated and over priced(imho). Get a Swiss Compac if you have to have the best. Though you don't need it...

Regards, Matt Garrett.
Chesapeake, Virginia

I have them in .223, .22-250, 7MM-08, .280 and 7MM Rem mag and they definatley help.

I have had better luck with the full-length Bonanza dies that anything but a Redding that has been honed to fit the neck. Not sure where you are having problems Matt! I think a full length bushing die is about the best for keeping runnout to a minimum but they are harder to build right- more parts to miss-align.

I use an import .0005 indicator in my Sinclair jig and it is pretty nice- can't remember the brand right now. As Matt said, Starrett is overrated for indicators. The interapid and Tesas are the best I have used.

Dennis