Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I make major seating depth adjustments with this micrometer seater?
Major adjustments are made using the seating stem inside the die body. Loosen the set screw with the included 3/32" hex wrench, raise or lower the stem, then snug the screw back down. One full turn equals approximately .042", half a turn is .021", and a quarter turn is .0105". Do not overtighten the set screw.
2. How do I use the micrometer cap for fine seating adjustments?
The micrometer cap controls minor adjustments between .001" and .050" per revolution. Turn clockwise to shorten overall length or counter-clockwise to make it longer. Once your desired setting is found, snug the set screw to lock it in place.
3. My cases will not fit inside the die body. What should I do?
If your prepared brass does not fit, your chamber may be slightly larger than the die specification. L.E. Wilson can open the die to match your chamber. Send the die body along with three prepared cases for proper fitting. Return shipping is the only cost.
4. I cannot reach my desired COAL. Is something wrong with my die?
This usually occurs when the bullet stem does not match the bullet’s ogive profile. Contact L.E. Wilson, as some bullets, especially long VLD profiles, may require a custom-fit stem.
5. Do I need a VLD seating stem for my bullets?
Most bullets will seat correctly with the standard stem. However, extremely long or steep-ogive bullets may benefit from a VLD stem. The VLD stem is honed to a different angle for better alignment with VLD designs. A small ring mark on the bullet is acceptable and does not affect accuracy.
6. Why am I seeing runout in my seated rounds?
Runout can result from several factors, including inconsistent brass quality, excessive neck sizing, mixed brass, or non-concentric chambers. Check your sized cases with a Wilson Case Gage to ensure you are not over-sizing. Neck tension should be about .002" under bullet diameter, and new brass may benefit from an expanding mandrel.
7. My seating stem feels sticky. How can I fix this?
Sticky movement usually means neck tension is too tight or brass prep is inconsistent. Verify neck tension, clean cases properly, and consider using an expanding mandrel to standardize neck diameter before seating.
8. The seating stem does not seem to match the bullet’s ogive. Will this affect accuracy?
No. The seating stem only needs a small point of contact to center the bullet. According to Sam L.E. Wilson, a full-contact cone offers no additional benefit compared to a properly aligned point of contact. Precision comes from case prep, alignment, and die quality.
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