RCBS Gold Medal Seater Die Question

[blacktails]

I'm looking for a top quality micrometer seating die. I'm thinking about the Forster Ultra or the Redding Competition, but I'm wondering if I should also be considering the RCBS Gold Medal seater, but I can't find any comparisons to the Forster and Redding. It is supposed to be better than their RCBS Competition seater which is supposedly not as good as the Forster or Redding, but the Gold Medal is rarely mentioned on various reloading forums. Anybody familiar with it and how it compares to my other two choices?

 

[Winchester 69]

Maybe this will help:

Which Style of RCBS Die to Buy - Topic Powered by eve community

And here:

Who still makes Forster style bullet seating dies? - Topic Powered by eve community

 

[AJ Peacock]

I've used the old RCBS comp seater die. The window is nice but the base of the shell can move a little (since the sliding bushing only contacts the shell in the shoulder area). I haven't used the Gold Medal seating die, but the picture looks the same. The Redding Micrometer adjust die is tough to beat (except for price). Thre Redding and the Forster have sleeves that fully support the cartridge before the bullet is seated, this is the best way to insure straight seating.

AJ

 

[woods]

The RCBS Gold Medal Seating Die does have a sleeve that comes down the shoulder and comes down on the case body about .425". The seating spindle is also floating. Those are the 2 differences from the RCBS Competition Seating Die.

I have 1 of the Gold Medal kind in 300 win mag, 5 of the Competition Seaters (22-250, 6.5x55, 270, 7 mag & 30-06) and 2 of the Redding Competition Seaters (280AI & 338).

Putting the bullet in the side is very convenient and the bullet is held in line with the case body and neck from the beginning of the seating process. Setting the bullet on top of the case and raising up into the die it starts canted. The Redding Competition Seaters have a collet to realign the bullet but it is not as convenient.

All of these seaters seat to the same amount of variation as measured by comparator after each seating. I can detect no induced runout from any of them.

If I need another I will try to get the RCBS Competition Seater because it is cheaper than the Gold Medal and appears to do just as good a job. JMHO

 

[James H]

I have both the Redding micrometer seater and RCBS gold medal dies, both load straight ammo but I prefer the gold medal especially with long cases.
James

 

[blacktails]

Thanks for the information. I appreciate everyone's willingness to help answer my "newbie" questions. The convenience the "window" on the Gold Medal seater sounds pretty good, but it is even pricier than the Redding Competition, at least at Midway, which is the only place so far that I've found them. Looks like I'll probably go with the Redding, though I am waiting for a reply from Forster regarding if there is any way to brighten the marks on the Ultra micrometer seater for easier visibility for older eyes .

 

[Winchester 69]

The convenience the "window" on the Gold Medal seater sounds pretty good.... I am waiting for a reply from Forster regarding if there is any way to brighten the marks on the Ultra micrometer seater for easier visibility for older eyes.

I believe someone mentioned that the "window" is very convenient for bullets under 55 gr.

A common way to "highlight" embossed markings is to rub a paint stick over the surface. After letting it set, wipe the excess off the elevated surface. Someone did something similarly on an RCBS Competition Seater using Forster's silver inlay kit, as shown in the linked pic's of the earlier post. Perhaps others can post their experiences/methods.