Redding neck sizer die questions

[Luky]

I just received 500 new pieces of Winchester 308 brass and started looking at the Redding neck sizer and body sizer dies to replace my RCBS FL X-die. I have been having problems with cases sticking in the chamber of my Savage 10BA-LE (not a hot load @ 23.4 gr Varget with 175 SMK and IMI brass only on 2nd or 3rd firing). Heard through a friend of my brothers of a similar case with a similar model rifle (in .338 Lapua) who had Savage swap out the barrel and then switched to new Lapua brass and still has same issues. He spoke with a Lapua "Master Reloader" who believes it is the way the brass is being sized that it "scrunches" in the middle inside from FL sizing and creates a weak spot that "balloons" upon firing causing it to stick. So I bought new brass and want new dies to start over...

I already have a Forster micrometer seating die for my 308 that I will continue to use. Looking at the Redding competition bushing neck sizer die (midway) it does not come with any bushings? My brother said his Redding came with a bushing installed (he doesn't know what size) when he bought it and never changed it.... Does the competition bushing neck sizer die decap the rounds too or do I need to do that in a separate step? Does it have a button that pulls back through the neck? (I see a carbide button "upgrade" available).

What does the micrometer adjustment do for me with neck sizing? Would the Redding type S neck sizing die work just as well? Should I look at the Type S full length sizer die? (I have been FL sizing each time).


I also have various years of LC brass, FC, BHA match, and about 500 pieces of IMI Match brass... I will be loading precision .308 for my Savage 10BA as well as for the LR-308 I am building. Figured I would keep the IMI match brass and hopefully it will run ok through a gas gun…

So I was wondering what bushing(s) sizes to buy? As the TIN plated ones are about $24 a pop I don't really want to buy ones I won't use... Maybe just buy 2 or 3 steel ones to start? So any suggestion for bushing sizes with Winchester brass and 175 SMK to start with? (I have not opened the bags of brass yet to start processing it as I was waiting to get new dies first so no measurements).

 

[marukka]

I have the type-S FL die, I went with steel bushings just because I have to lube the cases anyway. The micrometer allows you to only size part of the neck. Bushing size depends on your brass which you'll need to measure, see this FAQ for more info
Bushing Selection | Redding Reloading Equipment: reloading equipment for rifles, handguns, pistols, revolvers and SAECO bullet casting equipment

 

[ZiaHunter]

I have several Redding Competition Neck sizing dies and they work well. They will decap during the sizing process and would not use the expander since it is not necessary and will most likely increase runout. Neck wall thickness will vary between different makes of brass and even different lots from the same manufacturer. If you want to achieve consistent neck tension you will need several different bushing sizes to accommodate this. There are several ways to determine the correct bushing size. One is to measure the neck diameter of a seated round or measure neck wall thickness multiply by 2 and add the bullet diameter. In both cases the desired neck tension is then subtracted. Most recommendations are for .001 but you will need to experiment what works best for your rifle and load. With Winchester brass I have noticed variations in neck wall thickness greater than .001 in pieces of brass which is problematic. You may want to consider neck turning and if not be willing to cull those cases that exceed a defined tolerance.

If you plan on FL sizing after each firing for your bolt gun, go with the type S dies which you will need for your gas gun regardless.