Is this a good starter set up?

[enfieldspares]

Hello AT. Read the post I was writing as you were writing yours re the seating issue. No need for dummy rounds. Just a vernier gauge. And as a bonus as the rod was threaded you knew that a 1/4 turn of a screwdriver altered the seating by so many thousandths so load development was easier. Re the lock ring issue as my press is an Australian Simplex Master (a copy of Lyman's Crusher II )and, before that my press was an RCBS Rockchucker, I can't make use of a breechlock system.

 

[Cottis]

I also do the dummy round thing or use a previously loaded round in the press to adjust the seater die until it contacts, then back it off a tiny amount and start seating and measuring until happy. I write the COAL on the side of the dummy round along with my powder charge in indelible marker. I try to keep things simple.

 

[Alantoo]

Hello AT. Read the post I was writing as you were writing yours re the seating issue. No need for dummy rounds. Just a vernier gauge. And as a bonus as the rod was threaded you knew that a 1/4 turn of a screwdriver altered the seating by so many thousandths so load development was easier. Re the lock ring issue as my press is an Australian Simplex Master (a copy of Lyman's Crusher II )and, before that my press was an RCBS Rockchucker, I can't make use of a breechlock system.

I have put a mark on the knurling of the seater adjuster to give me a bit of a tell tale...same on the factory crimp die, that is altered slightly depending on whether I am using Lapua or Hornady brass.

I also do the dummy round thing or use a previously loaded round in the press to adjust the seater die until it contacts, then back it off a tiny amount and start seating and measuring until happy. I write the COAL on the side of the dummy round along with my powder charge in indelible marker. I try to keep things simple.

I found that because I am pussy footing around as I gently bring the adjuster down onto the dummy round I always need to increase a few degrees of rotation to reduce the COAL when actually seating the first of the batch, so don't need to back off at all...I keep the press pushing the dummy round up into the die very firmly so the only slop to take up is in the bullet/seater plug/adjuster.

Alan