Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

[mjh30]

I bought a press today, I had intended to buy a Lee classic cast but bought a RCBS Rock chucker instead, more in support of my local gunsmith than anything else. Now I had hoped to get some forster dies, but most places seem to have them on backorder so I figured to buy Redding, so which one to do I buy, the Type s match bushing three die neck sizer set or type s match bushing two die set. I have pretty much picked up everything else that I need, except for the dies, any thoughts ideas for a rookie reloader.
Marty

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

the Redding stuff will serve you well.

 

[Rothbard73]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

It seems as though the only difference is that they have one separate die for neck sizing only and one for sizing the body only in the 3 die set. The 2 die set combines the neck and body sizing into one die. This will allow you to only size the neck and leave the body alone. Many people prefer this method until the cases are hard to chamber, usually after a few loadings, depending on how hot of a charge you're running. At that point you'll have to bump the shoulder back a couple of thou's so the round will chamber easily. This will make the cartridge fit tighter, and will align the case in the chamber better, which produces better accuracy. Also, you will be working your brass less and they will therefor last longer (more #'s of loadings). This method should only be used with a bolt gun. As semi-autos should be full-length sized after each loading. If you have a bolt gun you may want to get the 3 die set. Good luck with reloading.

 

[Silverbullet2]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

I go redding whenver I can, but they all make good stuff. For my bolt gun, I use a redding neck sizing die with the bushing system, and for the SR-25 I use their Small Based Full Length sizer.

 

[1911.it]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

I have the Redding Type S 3-die set primarily for reliability reasons. The full size die barely does any work since I must have a tight chamber in my gun.

 

[mjh30]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

Thanks everyone, I will buy the 3 die set, its for a bolt gun and I have some federal, lake city and lapua brass to use already. I will just have to get the correct size bushings I suppose for the different types of brass.
Marty

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

Why didn't you buy a Redding press?

Your primary consideration between Redding and Forster dies has to do with expected brass life. Don't get a Redding seating die unless you need the micrometer. And don't buy anything until you understand my objections. It's an economic argument. Redding makes my favorite equipment, but Forster serves another niche. Recognize the difference before you buy.

Yeah. It's a riddle. You're making purchases with inadequate information. Decisions are only as good as the information on which they're based.

 

[mjh30]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

I have to agree that Redding and Forster make quality presses, but I bought the RCBS from my local gunsmith, its one that he had in stock and I suppose it was my own way of supporting a local business. I was hoping to buy better dies in order to make the precision process go a little easier, I figured it would be easier for a novice to use the micrometer die for seating, rather than buy lee or rcbs dies, I suppose an experienced hand could make quality ammo with these dies, but I figured I could use very little bit of help available. I bought the reloading books, read and reread a lot of the posts here, and I was hoping that the buys I was making would get me good results down the road.
Marty

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

Marty,
I'm encouraging you to learn more before you buy. Both Forster and Redding make excellent products, but their product lines lean toward different technologies. If you want bushing dies, it's Redding. Redding's standard seating die doesn't have the alignment sleeve that their micrometer die and Forster's seating dies enjoy. It is a primary consideration in die selection.

If your RockChucker press doesn't exhibit slack in the fit of the ram to its bore, you're good to go. Otherwise, you might pressure them to get a good press for you. If it's an RC II, you should have an excellent press that will certainly outlast me and probably yourself.

 

[Barney88PDC]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

I just got into reloading rifle myself. I too bought a RCBS press. The ram is very tight I have no complaints what so ever. I went with the Redding Type-S FL die and competion seater. The Micrometer is awesome. I am primarly using this for a bolt gun and varing the seating depth is a breeze.

Also the FL die I have used it to only size part of the neck. If you just do not screw it in all the way it will only size the neck and never touch the shoulder. You can see how far down it has sized and I just stop screwing in the die when I see the entire neck sized just prior to touching the shoulder. I have checked this with Hornady headspace kit on my calipers. If I am missing something please let me know because as before I am new to loading rifle. But it seems like the FL die can be uses as a neck size only die as well as bump the shoulder when needed. Best of both worlds. Am I missing something?

 

[mjh30]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

I am not sure if its an RC 11, but its of recent manufacture and appears to be well put together. By reading some previous posts it seemed like Redding may have copied some of Forsters ideas and incoporated them into their dies. So what dies should I buy?
Marty

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

The newer press is an RC IV; these designations are cast into the frame.

Whether you neck size and use a body die occasionally, or full-length size (partially) seems to be a personal thing. Some say that neck sizing works the brass less. Others say that PFL sizing gives a more consistent case. Until you form an opinion of your own, it may not make any difference. What kind off shooting do you do?

 

[mjh30]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

I am just shooting of the bench right now at 200, I was leaning towards the 3 die type s competition die set, although I was just looking at Forsters web site and the bench rest full lenght sizing die and their ultra micrometer seater die, both seem to be excellent products.Their user instructions also gave me a better understanding of what I will exactly need.
Marty

 

[daxromana]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

One thing that I learned the hard way was that Redding Comp Set dies do not have an expander ball or mandrel in the FL sizing die.

This is great if you are reloading all new brass, or are very careful with your bolt gun brass, but I reload LC .308 and shoot a semi auto, so I needed a FL sizing die that supported the inside of the case mouth.

I was not keen on setting up a second step to use a mandrel before sizing so I sent the set back and bought a Dillon FL Sizing Die with a mandrel on the decapping pin and a Forster Micrometer die for seating. So far so good.

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: Which Redding 308 dies do I need to buy

Since you're shooting BR, the Redding S-type sets will provide a lot of flexiblity and good brass life. These sets have an expander in the sizing die to true dented cases when needed. It is removable. The Forster standard sizer will overwork your brass unless modified to your spec, which Forster will do very reasonably, but then you're locked into a given neck thickness.