What dies are you using?
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Re: What dies are you using?
Both Redding and Forster.
For my light and heavy 6.5x47's I used Redding Type-S FL bushing die and Comp Seater as both chambers were cut with the same reamer and I don't have to change a thing.
I like standard FL size dies for my 257 Rob and 9.3x62 but with the neck custom honed to give .005" thou bullet grip. I use them without the decap pins and use no expander button. I decap separately. For seating I use the Forster Comp for the Rob and the standard Redding seater for the 9.3
For my 30-06AI I use the Lee neck Collet die in conjunction with the a custom Forster Comp seater.
For 223, I use all Redding FL size and Comp Seater.
Alan
Both Redding and Forster.
For my light and heavy 6.5x47's I used Redding Type-S FL bushing die and Comp Seater as both chambers were cut with the same reamer and I don't have to change a thing.
I like standard FL size dies for my 257 Rob and 9.3x62 but with the neck custom honed to give .005" thou bullet grip. I use them without the decap pins and use no expander button. I decap separately. For seating I use the Forster Comp for the Rob and the standard Redding seater for the 9.3
For my 30-06AI I use the Lee neck Collet die in conjunction with the a custom Forster Comp seater.
For 223, I use all Redding FL size and Comp Seater.
Alan
Re: What dies are you using?
My favorite dies are Redding comp dies for the micrometer seating die. It makes adjustments very easy. For basic FL dies, I love the Hornady dies. You can make adjustments to the seating dies with your fingers. And I like their sizing dies for the tear-dropped expander ball. It allows cases that are deformed slightly to go into the die much easier. I use some RCBS dies, but I don't care for them that much. You have to use a screw driver to change your seating depth. On the sizing dies, the expander ball comes loose too often from the threaded post.
My favorite dies are Redding comp dies for the micrometer seating die. It makes adjustments very easy. For basic FL dies, I love the Hornady dies. You can make adjustments to the seating dies with your fingers. And I like their sizing dies for the tear-dropped expander ball. It allows cases that are deformed slightly to go into the die much easier. I use some RCBS dies, but I don't care for them that much. You have to use a screw driver to change your seating depth. On the sizing dies, the expander ball comes loose too often from the threaded post.
Re: What dies are you using?
RCBS FL Sizer for first sizing of new brass. After that Redding bushing neck sizer, Redding Comp Mic Seater, and Redding Shoalder Bump when needed (about every thrid firing).
RCBS FL Sizer for first sizing of new brass. After that Redding bushing neck sizer, Redding Comp Mic Seater, and Redding Shoalder Bump when needed (about every thrid firing).
Re: What dies are you using?
I use Redding comp seating die for all calibers, and a Lee FL sizing die.
I like the Redding type "S" neck sizing dies as you can control neck tension.
I use Redding comp seating die for all calibers, and a Lee FL sizing die.
I like the Redding type "S" neck sizing dies as you can control neck tension.
Re: What dies are you using?
I use Redding competitioin dies in 308 and Redding Type-S in 223/5.56
In actuality, the competition (micrometer head) sizing die is not necessary, however, the competition seater die is quite useful.
I use Redding competitioin dies in 308 and Redding Type-S in 223/5.56
In actuality, the competition (micrometer head) sizing die is not necessary, however, the competition seater die is quite useful.
Re: What dies are you using?
Chad, I've been looking into upgrading to the Redding bushing dies. I'm curious as to which bushing to order. I run Lapua brass in a factory Rem 700 barrel. I don't neck turn and would prefer 0.002" neck tension. Bullets are .243 95 gr. Matchkings. Thanks.
Chad, I've been looking into upgrading to the Redding bushing dies. I'm curious as to which bushing to order. I run Lapua brass in a factory Rem 700 barrel. I don't neck turn and would prefer 0.002" neck tension. Bullets are .243 95 gr. Matchkings. Thanks.
Re: What dies are you using?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brandon05_88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chad, I've been looking into upgrading to the Redding bushing dies. I'm curious as to which bushing to order. I run Lapua brass in a factory Rem 700 barrel. I don't neck turn and would prefer 0.002" neck tension. Bullets are .243 95 gr. Matchkings. Thanks. </div></div>
Hey Brandon,
I honestly don't know without taking some exact measurements. But if neck thickness is .014", and bullet is .243", total outside diameter would be .271", so a .269" bushing would be it. I would look back through some older threads on bushing size with Lapua brass to make sure.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brandon05_88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chad, I've been looking into upgrading to the Redding bushing dies. I'm curious as to which bushing to order. I run Lapua brass in a factory Rem 700 barrel. I don't neck turn and would prefer 0.002" neck tension. Bullets are .243 95 gr. Matchkings. Thanks. </div></div>
Hey Brandon,
I honestly don't know without taking some exact measurements. But if neck thickness is .014", and bullet is .243", total outside diameter would be .271", so a .269" bushing would be it. I would look back through some older threads on bushing size with Lapua brass to make sure.
Re: What dies are you using?
Hugo121175, what Redding die do you use to bump the neck?
For .260 Rem, I'm using Redding body die, Redding Competition bushing neck sizing die and Redding Competition bushing Seater. The Competition (micrometer adjusting) NECK SIZING works but is overkill, the non-micrometer one is just as good.
I also have a 260 Wilson seating die which is good.
I'm using Lee dies for my 308 and am not at all sure they are that great. The sizing dies seem to put a crimp on the neck, right at the top rim. And the sizing dies aren't adjustable. And,, the neck sizing die feels weird the way you have to pull on the handle of the press so hard, and get no movement, to get the case small enough to hold the bullet. So I am upgrading my 308 dies.
I'll just make one observation. Since brass seems to vary quite a bit in thickness, it seems to me that you need dies that are adjustable in neck tension as well as how far down the neck they size. But again, I'm no expert in any of this. It almost seems like you need dies that are custom made to your chamber and brass. I don't know if all that work and expense would be worth it. I am also one that doesn't see any benefit in full length sizing every time. But that's just me. I'll full length size when necesary (and mark those rounds as such so they don't get shot in the same series as the ones neck sized only). But I like neck sizing only, most of the time. I'll admit, I've never tested the difference in any scientific way. Someone should.
Hugo121175, what Redding die do you use to bump the neck?
For .260 Rem, I'm using Redding body die, Redding Competition bushing neck sizing die and Redding Competition bushing Seater. The Competition (micrometer adjusting) NECK SIZING works but is overkill, the non-micrometer one is just as good.
I also have a 260 Wilson seating die which is good.
I'm using Lee dies for my 308 and am not at all sure they are that great. The sizing dies seem to put a crimp on the neck, right at the top rim. And the sizing dies aren't adjustable. And,, the neck sizing die feels weird the way you have to pull on the handle of the press so hard, and get no movement, to get the case small enough to hold the bullet. So I am upgrading my 308 dies.
I'll just make one observation. Since brass seems to vary quite a bit in thickness, it seems to me that you need dies that are adjustable in neck tension as well as how far down the neck they size. But again, I'm no expert in any of this. It almost seems like you need dies that are custom made to your chamber and brass. I don't know if all that work and expense would be worth it. I am also one that doesn't see any benefit in full length sizing every time. But that's just me. I'll full length size when necesary (and mark those rounds as such so they don't get shot in the same series as the ones neck sized only). But I like neck sizing only, most of the time. I'll admit, I've never tested the difference in any scientific way. Someone should.
Re: What dies are you using?
.308, Lee neck sizing die then RCBS micro seater.
not sure if I fit in the precision crowd but I'm trying!
.308, Lee neck sizing die then RCBS micro seater.
not sure if I fit in the precision crowd but I'm trying!
Re: What dies are you using?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brandon05_88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chad, I've been looking into upgrading to the Redding bushing dies. I'm curious as to which bushing to order. I run Lapua brass in a factory Rem 700 barrel. I don't neck turn and would prefer 0.002" neck tension. Bullets are .243 95 gr. Matchkings. Thanks. </div></div>
Hey Brandon,
I honestly don't know without taking some exact measurements. But if neck thickness is .014", and bullet is .243", total outside diameter would be .271", so a .269" bushing would be it. I would look back through some older threads on bushing size with Lapua brass to make sure. </div></div>
Thanks. I found some older threads after I posted that.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brandon05_88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chad, I've been looking into upgrading to the Redding bushing dies. I'm curious as to which bushing to order. I run Lapua brass in a factory Rem 700 barrel. I don't neck turn and would prefer 0.002" neck tension. Bullets are .243 95 gr. Matchkings. Thanks. </div></div>
Hey Brandon,
I honestly don't know without taking some exact measurements. But if neck thickness is .014", and bullet is .243", total outside diameter would be .271", so a .269" bushing would be it. I would look back through some older threads on bushing size with Lapua brass to make sure. </div></div>
Thanks. I found some older threads after I posted that.
Re: What dies are you using?
I hand load ~ 60 different cartridges, and have lots of die sets.
But when I add another cartridge and want small groups, the dies I add are:
1) Forster full length sizer die with the neck honed out by Forster on one of their Hardinge collet lathes for $10 to an inside neck diameter that I specify. I remove the expander ball.
2) Forster seating die. I take out the seater stem and polish the mouth.
3) Lee collet neck sizer die. I polish the nose of the collet and the mouth of the collet sleeve.
I hand load ~ 60 different cartridges, and have lots of die sets.
But when I add another cartridge and want small groups, the dies I add are:
1) Forster full length sizer die with the neck honed out by Forster on one of their Hardinge collet lathes for $10 to an inside neck diameter that I specify. I remove the expander ball.
2) Forster seating die. I take out the seater stem and polish the mouth.
3) Lee collet neck sizer die. I polish the nose of the collet and the mouth of the collet sleeve.
Re: What dies are you using?
Redding Type "S" Bushing FL Size Die w/ Carbide size button kit
Redding Competition Seater Die
Redding Type "S" Bushing FL Size Die w/ Carbide size button kit
Redding Competition Seater Die
Re: What dies are you using?
Currently, for FL sizers I use a selected lot of Lyman, Herter's, Pacific, Eagle, Bair.
For neck sizers I have a selected lot of RCBS, Forster, Pacific but I mostly use Lee Collets.
For body dies I use modified FL dies (the necks are bored larger) from Herters, Savage, Schessiel, RCBS.
For seaters I use Forster BRs, some with the micrometer head, some without.
All meaning I've been doing this for long enough that I know I can't buy a specific brand of anything and seriously think I will have the "best" with any certainty. ??
Currently, for FL sizers I use a selected lot of Lyman, Herter's, Pacific, Eagle, Bair.
For neck sizers I have a selected lot of RCBS, Forster, Pacific but I mostly use Lee Collets.
For body dies I use modified FL dies (the necks are bored larger) from Herters, Savage, Schessiel, RCBS.
For seaters I use Forster BRs, some with the micrometer head, some without.
All meaning I've been doing this for long enough that I know I can't buy a specific brand of anything and seriously think I will have the "best" with any certainty. ??
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