The Redding #20 VLD Bullet Seating Micrometer (Model 09180) is a drop-in reloading upgrade designed to replace standard #01080 non-micrometer seating plugs in standard Redding bottleneck seating dies. Engineered with an internal stem profile matched to sharp, high-ballistic-coefficient projectiles, this mechanical component contacts bullets on the ogive rather than the tip. This prevents tip deformation and seating depth variances of up to 0.025 inches while providing direct, calibrated depth adjustments for precision .30-calibre handloading.

Key Features

• VLD-Specific Stem Geometry: Formed to seat long-nosed, high-BC bullets by contacting the ogive, protecting fragile bullet tips from crushing or bottoming out.
• Direct Micrometer Adjustments: Features laser-engraved 0.001-inch increments for repeatable cartridge overall length (COAL) adjustments across different bullet batches.
• Thread Compatibility: Features standard 1/2"-20 threads to retrofit existing Redding bottleneck seating dies without needing to purchase a separate, full die set.
• Dead-Stop Internal Assembly: Provides consistent mechanical stopping points for uniform seating depth control during volume production.

Specifications

• Model Number: 09180
• Thread Pitch: 1/2"-20 threads
• Adjustment Graduations: 0.001-inch increments
• Replaced Part: Redding #01080 seating plug (#20 seat plug)
• Compatible Cartridges: .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 WSM, .300 Remington Ultra Mag (RUM), .30-30 Winchester, .300 Weatherby Magnum, .30-40 Krag, .307 Winchester, .303 Savage, and related bottleneck .30-calibre cartridges.
• Power Requirements: None (purely mechanical)

Who is the Redding #20 VLD Bullet Seating Micrometer for?

• Handloaders loading .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, and .300 WSM for long-range precision shooting — requires fine seating depth tuning via direct 0.001-inch micrometer increments on an existing 1/2"-20 threaded Redding die body.
• Reloaders utilizing high-ballistic-coefficient Very Low Drag bullets — uses a specialised internal bullet seating micrometer stem that eliminates tip deformation and up to 0.025 inches of seating variance by engaging the projectile strictly along its ogive.

Less suitable for: Handloaders seating traditional round nose, flat nose, or tangent-ogive soft point bullets (where a standard Redding seating plug or standard micrometer fits blunt ogives better), shooters seeking sub-0.001-inch total runout alignment (where a full sliding-sleeve competition seating die provides full-length case support), or reloaders operating dies from other manufacturers that do not utilize 1/2"-20 internal thread pitches.