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The Redding Competition Seating Die for 280 Ackley Improved is built for handloaders who care about every thousandth of an inch. This is the 40-degree 280 AI version (part 55428), and it earned its reputation as a straight-line seater by solving the concentricity problems that plague ordinary seating dies. Between the micrometer top, the sliding sleeve chamber, and a floating seating stem, you get repeatable depth and ammo that runs out true.
Inside the threaded body is a precision sleeve cut like a rifle chamber to match SAAMI-spec 280 AI dimensions. When you run the ram up, a spring pushes the case and bullet into that sleeve so everything is captured and aligned before the stem ever touches the bullet. The seating stem itself is precision ground to match bullet diameter, and the fit is tight enough that it practically floats on a column of air. The result is finished rounds with very low bullet runout, which is exactly what you want for load development and tight groups.
The micrometer head reads in .001-inch increments and runs about .050 inch per full turn. It is infinitely adjustable with no clicks, so you can sneak up on a bullet's sweet spot without guesswork. There's also a zero-set feature that lets you record a favorite seating depth or lock in a setting for a particular rifle, which is a huge time saver when you bounce between bullets or come back to a proven load.
This die uses standard 7/8-14 threads and drops into any common reloading press. One thing worth knowing: it seats bullets only and does not crimp, so if you want a crimp you'll add a separate crimp die to your process. The shellholder is also sold separately, and for 280 Ackley Improved you'll want the #1 shellholder. Made in the USA and machined to the kind of tolerances that make a real difference downrange.
No, this die seats bullets only and does not apply a crimp. Redding designs crimping as a separate operation, so if you want a crimp you'll need to add a dedicated crimp die to your process. For most precision rifle loads, bolt-action shooters skip crimping entirely.
Yes, the shellholder is sold separately. For 280 Ackley Improved you'll want a standard #1 shellholder. It threads into any press with standard 7/8-14 threads, so it works with the gear most reloaders already have on the bench.
The big difference is the internal sliding sleeve cut to chamber dimensions, which captures and aligns the case and bullet before seating begins. That alignment produces ammo with much lower bullet runout. You also get a micrometer top for precise, repeatable seating depth, which a standard die doesn't offer.
The micrometer is calibrated in .001-inch increments and moves roughly .050 inch per full turn. It's click-free and infinitely adjustable, so you can fine-tune seating depth exactly where your rifle likes it. The zero-set feature also lets you record and return to a favorite setting.
| UPC | 611760554285 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 55428 |
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