For those trying to be competitive at the highest level (benchrest, F-Class), not spending the extra couple hundred on dies can potentially be a handicap. However, I've followed a guy on YouTube who is a long range benchrest national champion (Bruce Teel)... and you'd be pretty amazed at his comparatively inexpensive reloading setup. It very much contradicts the guys touting the need for $10K's worth of equipment on a reloading bench.
The OP's question was if dies costing hundreds were necessary for 1/2 - 3/4 MOA loads... they are not. Your cheapest dies and press are capable of that, as long as the dude assembling the ammo is consistent about his processes.
That also doesn't mean that the finest dies aren't worth it to some people too. A lot of guys can't shoot an AI better than a RPR, but that doesn't justify passing on the Accuracy International for the Ruger if you just want an AI. Same with reloading equipment
It's the internet, and everyone who doesn't agree with you will automatically assume that you're retarded. Unfortunately, that frequently boils down to them not simply having the same experiences as you. I've built some fantastic ammo over the years with $35 (at the time) RCBS dies. I stopped buying new sets due to QC issues that I got twice in a row. So now I'm a Forester and Redding guy. I still use my old RCBS sets though. If one thinks that those old dies aren't capable of consistent bugholes...
The OP's question was if dies costing hundreds were necessary for 1/2 - 3/4 MOA loads... they are not. Your cheapest dies and press are capable of that, as long as the dude assembling the ammo is consistent about his processes.
That also doesn't mean that the finest dies aren't worth it to some people too. A lot of guys can't shoot an AI better than a RPR, but that doesn't justify passing on the Accuracy International for the Ruger if you just want an AI. Same with reloading equipment
It's the internet, and everyone who doesn't agree with you will automatically assume that you're retarded. Unfortunately, that frequently boils down to them not simply having the same experiences as you. I've built some fantastic ammo over the years with $35 (at the time) RCBS dies. I stopped buying new sets due to QC issues that I got twice in a row. So now I'm a Forester and Redding guy. I still use my old RCBS sets though. If one thinks that those old dies aren't capable of consistent bugholes...
