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F T/R Competition Die suggestions.

TrxR

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Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 2, 2010
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New Brunswick, Canada
I will be starting to shoot F/TR this year with a .223 using 90gr Bergers and am starting to look at dies. I already have a Big Boss 2 press. I am thinking about getting a Redding type S full length and possibly a type S neck die. What I am undecided about is whether to get a Redding Competition Seater or a Wilson seater. What do you all think of this?

Thanks
 
Re: Die suggestions.

If you're getting a Redding Type 'S' F/L bushing die, I personally don't really see a need for the additional Type 'S' neck die.

Other die options include the Forster Precision shoulder 'bump' die, which uses their own flavor of neck bushings (instead of Wilson/Redding style), or the new F/L bushing dies from Whidden Precision. I haven't used the latter (yet), but based on past experience with John's products I would expect it to be top notch, and plan on getting a couple later this year as time/funds allow.

That said, in the past Redding Type 'S' F/L bushing dies have been my go-to solution and they haven't failed me yet. I typically tinker with other combinations, but I have Type 'S' F/L dies in *every* caliber that I load seriously.

As for the Comp seater... good die, but kind of spendy. In my experience, a Forster Ultra BR die compares favorably for considerably less $$$. The Wilson seaters are nice, particularly if you spend the extra $$$ to get the micrometer tops... but you'll have to pony up for a separate arbor press to utilize them. (again, I have all three options in various calibers). I'm not convinced that the Wilson dies seat the bullet any straighter, but you do get somewhat better 'feel' during the process - at least if you use fairly light neck tension.
 
If you plan to spend that much on dies I would not hesitate to try the dies offered by Whidden gunworks. And as Milanuk already mentioned, the Wilson seater is nice, but you need to purchase an Arbor press to use it.
 
I replaced my Redding S FL bushing die with Whidden's FL bushing die (same bushings)and continue to use the Redding Competition seating die.

A very good combination, with zero to nil TIR on loaded rounds.
 
I replaced my Redding S FL bushing die with Whidden's FL bushing die (same bushings)and continue to use the Redding Competition seating die.

A very good combination, with zero to nil TIR on loaded rounds.


Did you find much difference between the two FL dies? Is the whidden one just an off the shelf or did you have to send in some brass?
 
John told me that he used the reamer print from PT&G for the 6 Dasher, which is what was used to chamber my barrel.