My 45-70 blackpowder handloads for a 74 Sharps suffer from excessive runout. So I upgraded to a Redding micrometer adjustable competition bullet seating die for 45-70 U.S Gov't, part number 55209). The die body is stamped just above the threads with "Redding 45-70 Govt Comp ST Q". There's a picture of what I have on page 69 of Robert Ballowe's book, "Preparation of Match Ammunition for Black Powder Cartridge Rifles", my primary source document.
The instructions that came with the die, which are for a "competition handgun bullet seating die", confused me. I succeeded in crushing the neck of an empty test case, so I went looking for a "How To Use" video on Youtube, and came up empty. Called the Redding Tech Help line, and, per their request, sent them a picture of what I had destroyed, but I haven't heard back from them (It's only been a week).
I wonder how this instrument works? I don't see how I can seat a 1.322" boolit 0.54" deep in a 2.152" case after I have mounted the die body such that it contacts the shell holder when the press is fully raised. Also, some of the threads here at Castboolits leave me with the impression that these dies are designed to seat jacketed bullets, which are designed to be bore diameter, not groove diameter like a cast boolit?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.