Precision Reloading with the L.E. Wilson Chamber-Type Bullet Seater

[@spclifton91]

L.E. Wilson was my great grandfather. Thanks for using his tools :)

[@jeneenbrown]

*Works perfectly for my use as a heated press **MyBest.Tools** Space between the ram jack and the base is a little tight. Make sure you set the ram jack arm so that it's in a position for you to get maximum leverage on whatever you're pressing. You may have to unbolt the front plate of the press and realign the ram in the teeth so that the arm is not at an awkward angle when fully cranked down.Other than aligning the ram in the teeth with the crank arm this .5 ton arbor press comes out of the box pretty much ready to use.*

[@peterkolovos3079]

I started using one of these L. E. Wilson Micrometer dies and the K&M Arbor press and my run out was only .001 using my carefully prepped and weighed Federal twice-fired brass. I shot my highest F-class scores with these particular loads firing a 594/600-35X. The extra time required to double weigh my powder charges and load in this fashion. If you want accuracy, you MUST remove as many of the variables as you can, leaving only you and the wind to contend with. Before you ask why I use Federal GMM brass and not Lapua is that I have several thousand rounds of once-fired Federal GMM brass. It shoots quite well for me so why change? I do trim to length, deburr and uniform the primer pockets, weigh ALL my brass (hunting loads included) and only neck size. I also shoot only Berger bullets. This brass prep/reloading method earned me my High Master's card in F-class so it works for me perfectly. It may not for you.

[@langsoutdooradventures3465]

Great video demonstration of that arbor press. I finally see why that is so cool. It definitely seems that it would have better concentricity with the brass held tight in the die. I love that. Thanks for the vid

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

[@timduthie6399]

Gavin, you have some of the best videos on reloading on the internet!

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks Tim, appreciate it. So much work, but I really enjoy doing these stories!

[@appreciativeobserver4732]

Excellent presentation. To the point; no yatta, yatta, yatta. Each and every step demonstrated. Thank you.

[@brianmoore1820]

My new Wilson seater [micro] arrived today. Thank you for helping me choose.

[@ronaldrainero5579]

Those LE Wilson’s give some insane accuracy

[@gregmerryman802]

Great video! I would like to see a comparison, using identical components, showing the possible difference between a single stage, turret and chamber-type seating for concentricity. Thanks!

[@Ultimatereloader]

Great suggestion, thanks!

[@Liberty4Ever]

greg merryman I was going to leave the exact same comment but Greg beat me to it.

[@TMS5100]

i get

[@DimaProk]

+ ms3bani Well you are using premium die too, so I would say good brass, good die and good bullet.

[@Bones6987]

With all that precision equipment why would you use a powder thrower and not just hand weigh every charge because you aren’t going to be in any particular hurry Love the video

[@barrydeacon3551]

I prefer all hand dies with only Seating press to seat bullet. 😊my Mallet hammer gets good use and have never worn out… firm believer in neck sizing only. Full length only when brass very hard on bolt. 😊

[@michaelthompson7570]

been using lew stuff for years, back in the 1980s..Really like the resize system that just does the end of the necks to hold a bullet. Not so sure the micrometer is needed for the seater,but wont hurt either

[@brianwood1726]

my l.e.wilson trimmer centering station is pristine and 40 years old.. the box is a bit worn.. simple precision with no variable.. excellent choice

[@jodycrowson389]

Hi Gavin, I really appreciate your videos. I am fascinated by the reloading process, not because it is cheaper than buying factory ammo, but because of the potential for improved accuracy and precision. I do not currently have any equipment yet, but I am starting to make a mental list. Watching you and a few others has gotten me to think about how important it is to get the right equipment the first time, or as soon as it can be afforded. Seeing how concentric the bullet was after seating, I was wondering if you thought it would still be necessary to neck turn cases in order to achieve a more uniform thickness, or could this process be skipped given the precision of the L.E. Wilson Chamber-Type Bullet Seater? I am interested in your thoughts on this. Thanks, Jody

[@tomnguyen658]

Gavin ! You have the best reload video , can you make one video with Gempro 300? Thank you and happy reloading and shooting !

[@joeschuster2837]

Wonderful explanation

[@11563Ducati]

Great video thank you

[@ApexNick]

Lots of neat stuff. I wish I had the # for it. All the top PRS guys are (or at least were as of a few years ago) annealing their cases.

[@farmerjoe338]

May I ask why you primed a case before checking it with the go no go gauge?

[@Johnyrocket70]

if you use the seating force gauge it eliminates all the neck measuring and trimming steps. the rounds that are out of norm set aside for plinking after you fire them measure and trim the necks. it sorts the odd rounds out when measuring the seating force equals neck tension.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Yes! "I want that" :)

[@thormusique]

Excellent video, Gavin, thanks! Awesome tools as well. Question: Will you be posting videos using the Lee Deluxe Challenger kit? I'd love to see that in action!

[@Ultimatereloader]

Yes on the Deluxe Challenger Kit- please check out the in-progress "Budget Precision .223" series, more coming very soon!

[@robertmyeress1896]

Nice work!

[@gavinclark2304]

Absolutely AWSOME vid man. I've got friends that load for me currently and am having my very first precision rifle built. So reloading is the next step in my evolution to becoming a complete shooter. I do have a question, I noticed you were using SP bullets. How does the hand loader work with polymer tips? Cheers!!!

[@Ultimatereloader]

Just as good with polymer tips like Hornady ELD-M :)

[@ronl384]

I have the same Hornady concentricity gauge as you in this video, which I used quite frequently to measure my run out. Then I bought a Redding Slant bed concentricity gauge. I compared the run out of bullets between both gauges, and found the Hornady to be WAY off. I no longer use it, relying on my Redding. I wonder if you would have had the same results using a Redding slant bed concentricity gauge?

[@frankbodenschatz173]

Gavin, just bought the co-ax press and waiting for it to arrive. Will there be a marked difference in quality to using this over it? Going from a 30 yr old All Anerican turret press.

[@geoffgambier9267]

Sure am glad for this video im finally gonna get back into reloading now that weve finished moving. Ive been looking at these for the last two weeks and am really interested but there isnt much info about LE wilson that takes you through the the entire reloading process in a clean and clear format. Thanks and keep em coming, love the channel

[@Ultimatereloader]

Great Geoff! That's exciting that you're getting back into reloading, and glad I could help "inspire" you!

[@matthewcummings9024]

@1:19 Does anyone know what lockrings they are please? They look better than the aluminium ones that come with the Forster Co-Ax

[@medhist2006]

ihave been wanting to buy that die. You convinced me. THank you:)

[@Ultimatereloader]

Awesome, you'll love it!

[@mftoutdoors7483]

Love it.

[@lorenshultz1]

Informative

[@badhockey3310]

Excellent and informative video! I have been watching several and about to purchase my first reloading kit(from Bass pro, Hornady locknload classic) my question is, is this the best way to start? But a kit or buy separately?

[@Ultimatereloader]

I'd check prices both ways and make sure you're happy with the value. Either way is fine! That press is awesome, great on-press priming system.

[@brianwood1726]

it seems i cant still get parts.. what does that tell you

[@OlTrailDog]

I was wondering if a single stage reloading press, e.g. Forester Co-ax, could easily be adapted to compress a chamber bullet seater? Is a chamber seater too long to fit? This would be for shorter rifle cartridges, e.g. 6mm ARC. I've done a bit of searching and I've seen where others have used a drill press in lieu of an arbor press.

[@noneya135]

Great video. How low will the entire arbor portion of the press go? I'm interested in knowing if it can be lowered very close to the base plate and if so what is the minimum clearance.

[@__-vw5hl]

Perfect!

[@moonyous5]

I have just became aware of this sort of set up recently. Thanks for the info. I have not seen anybody compare these dies to other dies. Surely, other dies can give you these same results. Is it consistency from one round to the next that would validate the purchase?

[@pstewart5443]

Consistency is the key to accuracy and precision shooting. The nice thing about consistency is it gives you a constant to work against. If you're, for example, trying to get better groups at distance, then having the same runout on all rounds will help you determine other factors that are affecting the accuracy of the bullet. If you have different runout on say 80% of the rounds, even if by a couple thou, that would yet another factor you have to work with in determining roadblocks to achieve greater accuracy.

[@reubenw1187]

How repeatable are the results? If case prep is all done the same will all the bullets be the same oal without adjusting the die at all. I am having issues with inconsistent oal on my regular Lee die and I'm tired of making them long and adjusting a few times till it's right.

[@blakecrawford9303]

Would this be good for compressed loads? My forster ultra micrometer seater die hates compressed loads.

[@lol224455]

It works

[@tobiastorsi]

I am getting a Wilson Seater. Which Wilson Seater is the best in your opinion? Is the Stainless better than the regular one? Thanks?

[@ByronCbyzi4]

What tool do you recommend if the neck needs trued up?

[@jacklucas7265]

Why resize the case when the case has been fire formed in your rifle. Wouldn't neck sizing be a better way to go?

[@silentbob267]

Some would say yes and others would say no. Most of what I have read about it say that people who have studied doing it both ways didn't really find any noticeable benefit in accuracy by neck sizing vs. full length sizing.

[@kentrumm1385]

Better yet, use a forster bushing bump neck sizing die.

[@joshooga]

Gavin, Can you use this chamber type bullet seater die in a non arbor type press?

[@barrychouinard4019]

Bill Chamberlain, a single stage press won't work with the Wilson seating die. If you want to try Wilson seating dies, but buying an arbor press too is a roadblock, you can use a drill press instead of an arbor press to seat the bullets, if you have a drill press. I've switched over all my bottle neck case seating dies to Wilson seaters, and use a drill press for all of them.

[@colsoncustoms8994]

For a 308 auto loader, how much will you be able to take advantage of precision loaded ammo? I have heard that the violence with which the rounds are stripped from the magazine and chambered into the rifle can alter the round.

[@Ultimatereloader]

True, and you also have other factors that can affect precision (group size) including last-round bolt holdback, less locked-down chambering, and the fact that you can't have tight-fitting ammunition (neck-only sized for example) like you can with a bolt gun. That's why I tend towards bolt guns for precision work.

[@Dustysa4]

Colson Customs - I like to see what the highpower shooters are doing in their reloading processes. In general, they're looking for reasonably accurate 600 yard ammo for their M1A's & AR15's, without spending an eternity in the reloading room. Let's just say, some champion shooters are loading on a Dillon progressive...

[@colsoncustoms8994]

I'm about to start working up loads for my 20" 308 and want to get the best accuracy possible. At the same time, If the rifle can only take advantage of a certain amount of tolerances (compared to a bolt action), then I don't want to waste my time and money on diminishing returns or if the feeding of the round negates all of that extra time and effort. If they are getting the correct results from a less stringent process, then maybe that is a better system for this platform.

[@colsoncustoms8994]

With the neck vs full length resizing, can the shoulder just be pushed back a little bit, but not all the way to spec?

[@Ultimatereloader]

Personally, I would say to load on a progressive (such as Lock-N-Load AP or Dillon RL-550b) with a good powder measure that will hold +/- 0.1 grains if you can achieve that. What brass are you using? I do like to size on a single stage with .308 and make SURE you use a case gage! Semi-autos are not forgiving with chambering rounds!

[@wesjwaandrews7524]

Have you put any thought into some hunting/defense loads for 9mm?

[@Ultimatereloader]

No, what would you want to hunt for and defend from?

[@wesjwaandrews7524]

we live in Missouri on a 150 acre farm and my dad has away's said that there are cougars and when i ever go down to the lower ground i always take something with me plus i think you could make a cool video out of it for other people for self defense loads.

[@Ultimatereloader]

How about something with more power: 10mm Auto? 44 Magnum?

[@wesjwaandrews7524]

well if i had one of those i would like to save up for and buy a 1911 10MM but im 15 reload for 9mm right now and most of my rifles and am fixing up my truck so money for a new gun is non existent but if you would like to i vote for the 10mm. Thanks!!!!!

[@MisterTengu]

But does it crimp? Do you want to have a crimp on bench rest ammo?

[@Ultimatereloader]

No crimp here, and benchrest is not typically a scenario for crimping. :)

[@harteverett]

No , crimping not used on benchrest rounds , it would damage bullet wall integrity and surely affect accuracy. Bench shooters actually do measure seating tensions as a final means of sorting. It may mean the difference of a click value in the wind

[@mac-one-oh]

Gavin, what do you use to clean your brass?

[@Ultimatereloader]

I tumble in walnut shells mostly- very quick not much mess. I'm going to try the wet tumble with stainless pins as well...

[@mac-one-oh]

@@Ultimatereloader I use walnut too but my cases never look as clean as yours!

[@deathcogunit106]

E1M1 intro riff

[@phi376]

Once of the other benefits to using this type of die is portability. I prep and prime all my brass at home. Then do all of my final load development at the range in real time. Using just a Harrell's benchrest powder measure (extremely accurate! harrellsprec.com/index.php) and the Wilson dies with an arbor press, I am able to do all of my work at the range without wasting components, case life, extra barrel wear, and time on extra ammunition that you know isn't working out well.

[@deltaskyhawk]

you didn't degrease your case after resizing.

[@leandrodelgiudice]

20 seconds till full size, precission the wrong way...

[@roostershooter76]

I load "Benchrest Quality" ammo on my Lee Classic Cast Press. LOL .... how many more marketing gimmicks will they try and sell people on?

[@Ultimatereloader]

Are you saying LE Wilson is using marketing gimmicks? The products shown in this video are used by benchrest shooters...

[@ascraw1]

LOL, how many Benchrest competitions have you won with that “Benchrest Quality” ammo out of your Lee Classic Press. I am not knocking the press at all but your comment leads me to believe your not very deep in the Brenchrest game if at all. Everything he shows here has been around for quite some time and Benchrest shooters have been using them. It’s really nothing that new nor a new marketing gimmick.

[@Перо-о6и]

🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂

[@fourty-sevenkick2398]

Nice I like the video, BUT my dear friend please KEEP the ammo AWAY from the guns (Guns mags inserted, ammo a few inches away). SHOW safety at every occasion and that YOU are a part of practicing SAFETY at all times . You are in a teaching/influencing position now. Regards.