Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

[BgBmBoo]

Anyone here use Forster dies? What is the overall opinion of them? I was recommended them by a gent, but have not really ever heard anything one way or the other about them. I have always used RCBS or Redding myself but would like to here from those of you who have first hand knowledge of them.

Take care,Stan

 

[former naval person]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

Just as accurate as Redding without the high polish and extra high price. Additionally they do custom neck work at a very reasonable price. The Redding and Forster bushings don't interchange. The Forster/Bonanza press (Coax) is among the best out there. JMHO

 

[madd0c]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

Forster is good stuff. I have a couple sets for 308 and 338LM. I have since switched to redding on my 308 for the type S bushings.

The 338LM micrometer seating die initially STUCK the case on a forster neck sized case. I finally got the case (which was now a loaded round) out of the seater by sticking it in the freezer. I called forster, great customer service, and they ground the seater sleeve to fit MY fired cases for free. Can;t ask for better than that, and I now have a micrometer seater that is custom for my chamber.

madd0c

 

[42769vette]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

i use the forester micrometer on my 260 and have no issues or complaints

 

[astro3006]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

if Forester makes them in what I'm reloading I chose them over Redding

 

[Hunt]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: astro</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if Forester makes them in what I'm reloading I chose them over Redding </div></div>

+1

 

[Mudcat-NC]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

I like Forster stuff, but if I can get Redding instead, I do. But, I would gladly use either.

John

 

[Suasponte]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

When it comes to dies I do not limit myself by brand. Rather I keep looking (buying) at dies (Seater, and sizing) for how they perform run-out wise. I have a mix of A to Z on dies and have not preferred one over another.

Most all dies on the market today are comparable depending on your intended use.

Terry

 

[treebasher]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

Best bang for your buck in my opinion.

 

[HOGGHEAD]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

read this about the dies from a well known cutom bullet maker(James Calhoon). Tom.

The story is under the "informative articles" icon.

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/

 

[Clark]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

I am a big fan of Forster dies.

They will hone out the FL sizer necks:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CUSTOM neck honing of Forster FULL LENGTH SIZER or NECK SIZER DIE to your specification. Please specify desired inside neck diameter to the thousandth of an inch. No more than .008" stock removal is possible.
$12.00 plus shipping Please allow 1-3 weeks.</div></div>
http://www.forsterproducts.com/store.asp?pid=30223&catid=19938


If you have bushing dies, and you found the right size bushing, do not order that size honing from Forster.
Forster seems to use a pin gauge of size ordered as the go gauge, unlike in with bushings, where the size printed on the bushing is a no-go for that pin gauge.

What does it all mean?
Order the honing in .001" smaller neck than the optimum bushing size found for that cartridge.

 

[samnev]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

I use the Forster Ultra Match seating die and it's very handy when seating different weight/length bullets.

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

I use Forster shoulder bump neck bushing die for .308,
and the standard Forster neck die for 22-250.

Both produce very concentric results,
I started out with standard redding neck dies but in both calibres they produced .005" runout.
The expander ball on the redding neck dies always 'grabbed' when withdrawing out of the neck, even after polishing the ball.

The Forster expander ball I have no problem with.
(no expander in the shoulder bump die though of course..)

work great FWIW, and redding comp seater for...seating.

 

[BgBmBoo]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

Thanks gents. I just ordered a set of the "Ultra" dies.

Take care,Stan

 

[PJC7250]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

Forster Ultra seater dies are spot on. A full length set can be had for way less than Redding. Pat.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

ONLY Forster and Redding die designs are worthy of being labled "BR" or "Competition."

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

+ 1 on Fuzzball's opinion!

 

[mtn3531]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

I just ordered a set of the FL Ultra dies from Forster in 308, looking forward to getting them and trying them in my CO-AX

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?



The 338LM micrometer seating die initially STUCK the case on a forster neck sized case.

madd0c [/quote]

Had the same thing happen. Only issue with any of my Forster dies so far.
As for customer service, I hope my case goes easy too. I should have the seating die back in a couple of days.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Forster dies?? Anyone use 'em?

Great CS from Forster!
Fixed my issues fast and no charge for the seating stem that I trashed.