Dies

[DesertBull]

Is there a real difference between Redding / RCBS / Hornady / Forster full. Length sizing dies?

 

I'm Looking to buy some dies for a new 300 WM rifle. For hunting purposes is there a measurable difference in dies? I will be doing the standard shoulder bump.

[GreyFox]

Honestly, No,

I prefer RCBS - that's what I learned on and customer service is great.

[lancetkenyon]

Hornady has had some issues in the past year or so from a lot of what I have read.

 

I like Redding dies myself. Their basic FL die set is just a bit nicer and easier to adjust than RCBS. And the competition set is really nice. The only thing I prefer on RCBS dies is the set ring on the die body is a hex nut vs. a knurled ring, so you can lock it down tight with an adjustable wrench vs. a pipe wrench for the Redding.

But either one will get the job done just fine. If you plan on shooting a lot, and really gettjng into precision loading, I would suggest the competition seating die. While not mandatory, it makes seating depth adjustments much easier and more accurate. You can do the same with a standard seating die, but it just takes a bit more practice. I measure each CBTO for my rounds, and adjust by .001 or even .0005 if needed to stay consistent. Easier with the competition seater with the graduated marks for ever .001".

[STOMP442]

I agree with Lance. Redding is my preferred and Forester also makes a nice set. RCBS is good and LEE works just fine too. I hate Hornady dies tho, they are the worst. I have had to send two different sets back in the past. One was supposed to be a .22-250 set that had a .20 cal sizing stem in it so I was making a nice 20-250 wildcat instead. The other was a .204 Ruger die set that had a set of 20 Vartarg dies in it. To Hornadys credit they replaced each set with the correct dies no problem but I refuse to buy another set from them.

[DesertBull]

I have a set of Forster dies for my 7mag with the micrometer seating die. Makes it real easy to seat just a little bit long and then bump it down to the exact COAL I want. I just hate paying Midways stupid shipping fees. They are hard to find locally.

[PRDATR]

I have a set of Forster dies for my 7mag with the micrometer seating die. Makes it real easy to seat just a little bit long and then bump it down to the exact COAL I want. I just hate paying Midways stupid shipping fees. They are hard to find locally.

 

 

I remember when they first started out and shipping was free.

[metau]

All I have so far are RCBS and Dillon, and I've not had any issues with either. I do like Horandy's lock rings though.

 

On a related note, I'm contemplating moving up to bushing dies and was curious what everyone's thought on them is? Is there a noticeable difference in consistency when going from a standard neck die to a bushing die? Also, I understand the benefits of a micrometer seating die, but what is the benefit of a micrometer sizing die, especially if only neck sizing? Thanks.

[DesertBull]

I tried the Redding bushing dies. I didn't see a noticeable difference so I sold it.

[10Turkeys]

I use RCBS and I have a couple of Redding dies. Also long done with Midway. I use Natchez Shooters Supply, just ordered some dies from Amazon, and I pretty much go to Bruno's or Sportsmans Warehouse for the rest of what I need.

[firstcoueswas80]

I'm another dislike for Horbady. Had a bunch of issues with my 7 LRM. Ive got Forester for my 257 wby and it's been great. I ordered a nice Redding set for the 28 nosler. I necked 100, norma 26 nosler brass up to 28 with 0 issues.

[lancetkenyon]

Bushing dies just allow you to play with actual neck tension. An adjustable die vs. a fixed neck size.

[metau]

That's my understanding of it too, along with the bushing dies being floating and therefore self centering. I've not yet started turning my necks and therefor not gone the route of a bushing neck sizing die, but have been considering changing up my game a bit this year as I refocus back into rifle shooting.

 

As for a micrometer bushing neck sizing die, is there enough consistency to gain from being able to adjust a few thousandths on how far down the neck to size to justify that type of die?

[ctracingraptor]

Redding competion dies for me, ridiculous quality, then forster or dillon would be next.

[WampusCat]

Redding competition here as well. RCBS standard dies work fine for grandpas Naught-Six but for my precision stuff I want absolute control. I really geek out on ballistics, internal, external, and terminal. My goal is to completely eliminate and variable except me. I want to know that if I miss, there is zero chance it was my equipment.

 

As stated bushing dies allow you to control neck tension. Absolute control will require turning necks. I keep turning to a minimum by determining the thinnest common neck wall thickness and cleaning the others up to be equal. This and annealing will allow you to achieve a very consistent neck tension that will reflect in tangible results on the chrono and vertical spreads. It's not for everybody but its a requirement for me when distance is involved.

 

I would highly recommend bumping the shoulder the minimum (couple thousandths) to allow head spacing your WinMag off the shoulder rather than the belt. There is more than one way to skin this cat like overall length gauges or Redding competition shell holder sets.