Redding Vs Lee Press & Match Dies

[armydog]

As we all know consistency in precision shooting is the key to accuracy. Reloading is the same way, consistency. After using a Lee press for a number of years I finely upgraded to a Redding Big Boss 2 and what a difference if makes, I always figured a press was a press, it just pushes up the cartridge into the die right? One issue I had was the cartridge over all length was never consistent. I tried different brands of dies but rounds always would always very in length. Now when I load a round it comes out the same length every time. I have used Lee, RCBS and Redding standard dies but never the Match Dies, can anyone tell if they are worth the extra cost? And which ones should I go with, RCBS or Redding?

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Redding Vs Lee Press & Match Dies

<span style="font-style: italic">"I always figured a press was a press, it just pushes up the cartridge into the die right? One issue I had was the cartridge over all length was never consistent."</span>

One "issue" that a Redding press suddenly corrected, all by itself? I own four presses now and have owned and used quite a few others. Any inconsistant OAL I ever got came from inconsistant operation of the press, no matter it's color, or variations in the bullets themselves. And no dies I've ever used caused any OAL variation either; steel is steel no matter the brand stamped on it. ??

ONLY the Redding Comp and Forster BR dies have a full length body sleeve that insures bullet and case alignment before seating starts. But even they can't seat straight in bent neck cases so proper case sizing and prep makes a considerable difference before the costly seaters can accomplish anything. How much better one of them may do depends on how bad your present dies do. Their value depends on you, your rifle and your load development.

 

[armydog]

Re: Redding Vs Lee Press & Match Dies

say what ya want Fuzzball but I no longer have the issues with this press that I had with the lee, thanks for your input.

 

[280nosler]

Re: Redding Vs Lee Press & Match Dies

I get better consistencies on my RCBS than I do with my Hornady LNL AP, but single action to single action both are about the same. Redding certainly makes a very good product, and their ultramag press provides more leverage than most single stages out there.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Redding Vs Lee Press & Match Dies

"...I no longer have the issues with this press that I had with the lee,..."

Don't question that for a moment, just wonder if the new press, all by itself, is the reason for your improvement.

 

[garandman]

Re: Redding Vs Lee Press & Match Dies

I get a 1000th or two varaition in COL. Mostly I think its the Hornady A-max tips.

Doesn't really affect accuracy.

SO I'm happy with my Lee Turret press and standard Lee / Hornady dies.

The fact that you spent more doesn't necessarily mean you got more. (Often people who spent more feel the need to justify spending more.) Its kinda the old deal where manufaturers slapped on the label "Tactical" and jacked up the price 25%.

Now, its "Match"

 

[Beef82]

Re: Redding Vs Lee Press & Match Dies

My Lee Challenger flexes like crazy, it's very obvious when setting a die to full length size, the Rockchucker I used to use did not, atleast not nearly as much. I haven't noticed any serious variations in COAL attributable to it and not variances in meplat or ogive, but surely it is possible if the resistance during seating varied, but then that's not a 100% the press's fault.

 

[armydog]

Re: Redding Vs Lee Press & Match Dies

thanks for everyone's input, my old Lee press squeak and squawked, the ball handle would fall off half the time,30/06 would barely fit into the opening, I was also looking at an RCBS Rock Chucker, I plan on getting a 300 Win Mag and will need a bigger opening so I don't feel I need to justify getting this, wasn't much more that an RCBS. But I dose work better, be it me or the press, it works better.

 

[eclipse57]

Re: Redding Vs Lee Press & Match Dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armydog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">thanks for everyone's input, my old Lee press squeak and squawked, the ball handle would fall off half the time,30/06 would barely fit into the opening, I was also looking at an RCBS Rock Chucker, I plan on getting a 300 Win Mag and will need a bigger opening so I don't feel I need to justify getting this, wasn't much more that an RCBS. But I dose work better, be it me or the press, it works better. </div></div>

In the grand scheme of things, two important points were addressed:

1. COAL is now consistent. It does not make any difference how this was arrived at. Better
equipment or more consistent user operation.
2. You are happy with the Redding press.

That is all that matters. I do think these are important.

 

[Nysios]

Re: Redding Vs Lee Press & Match Dies

I have the Redding Competition dies for thee 338 L/M. I have to say they are the best dies I have ever used for reloading. Incredible accuracy and repeatability. The ability to turn a micrometer and change the bullet seating by .001 inch is priceless. Expensive but worth every bit of it.

 

[armydog]

Re: Redding Vs Lee Press & Match Dies

I see you can get just the Seating Micrometer to add to your dies but don't know if there is any difference in the die itself, Standard or Match/Competition.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/760076/...er-short-magnum