Forster dies?

[recurry]

Hi All,

So this weekend I finally opened the Hornady LNL press I've had sitting in the basement. Unforunately, as I was setting it became apparent that Hornady's idea of precision machining is a little different than mine - at least with respect to this particular unit. To make a long story short, I need to purchase some dies that have some kind of smooth surface inside rather than a bunch of burs and gouges.

I've read some good things about Forster dies online, but they are about $50+ each as opposed to $40 for a set of RCBS or Redding dies. I was just wondering if you guys think they are worth the extra coin, or will a set of Redding or RCBS dies be just as good for someone who is just starting to reload?

Thanks,

Russ

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Re: Forster dies?

Get the Forsters. They have the same seater design (originally their patent) as Redding Comp series, but Forster is available w/ or w/o the micrometer adjustment (same accuracy w/o, just less convenient and less $$).

I would also call Hornady customer service. They have always been very good to me. They will make it right. I've never had a problem with their dies. Their seater has a similar design to the forster, but the Hornady internal sliding sleeve does not engage the case beyond the shoulder.

However, Forster does not do pistol dies.

Andy

 

[recurry]

Re: Forster dies?

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the info, and the advice about calling Hornady. I had a friend tell me to do the same, and I probably will call them just to get the dies replaced so I can give them away to someone in the local club. I know people online say Hornady's technical support is great, but the problems I had with this press were unbelievable - I just want to buy the dies from some other vendor and move on.

I ordered a set of the forsters so I'll see how those work out. It also looks like they make a pretty cool press - maybe I should have gotten one of those before trying to deal with a progressive reloading system. Oh well, live and learn.

 

[Conrad]

Re: Forster dies?

You can also send the Forster sizing die back to Forster to have the neck honed to match your brass and neck tension that you desire.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Re: Forster dies?

I also highly recommend the Forster Co-Ax press.

And the Forster dies have a similar cross-bolt lock ring to the Hornady dies.

Andy

 

[BillCominos]

Re: Forster dies?

Hornady has the best telephone answering service that I've ever heard a company use! Worth calling just to hear it!! They definitely have a sense of humor about them! I don't use their press, but do use their PM w/case activated feed assy on my Dillon....

 

[Enios]

Re: Forster dies?

I like Redding body dies with the Redding comp Bushing neck sizer, however the Lee collect is highly recommended by many. If you are going to use a FL die without the bushings,Forster comp is the best I've used. The Forster Micro seaters is as good as it gets but hard to read settings which doesn't bother me a whole lot since I can't see them without my glasses. I have marks on the die as reference points. I have dummy rounds for each caliber I load and use them to set up. I've never purchased a bad Forster or Redding die. I can't say the same for RCBS or Lee, but their service is great from both companies.

 

[recurry]

Re: Forster dies?

Hey All,

Thanks for all the info. The Forster dies arrived by UPS today and are awesome - much better than the Hornady dies that I had picked up when I first bought the press. I'm just kicking myself now that I've seen that Forster co-ax press - it probably would have been a much better choice for reloading rifle cartridges than this LNL press. Oh well, live and learn.

Cheers,

Russ