Match Dies - who makes the best

[Californio]

All my stuff is RCBS - so I have been looking at Competition and Gold Metal Match die sets, pricey to say the least.

I am using Lapua Brass in .223/.308 so I am looking for the best dies for my bolt guns.

I notice using a slightly compressed load of Varget in .223 leaves a ring around the top of the Hornady 75gr BTHP match bullet, must have a real thin skin. Would a better die not cause the ring?

Are the Redding dies better and which model?

Thanks

[22popnsplat]

If you take the seater plug out of the die and polish the inside edge with some 600 grit sand paper and then 1000 to remove that sharp edge and then clean the plug with some brake cleaner I have found this to help .

[freakshow10mm]

Redding all the way.

[BamBam-31]

Randall (ar15barrels) recommends the Redding Type S sizing die (neck for bolts, full for semi's, I'd assume) and the Competition seating die. That's what I'm getting when I get the coin. The man knows his stuff.

[CSACANNONEER]

Argueable, the BEST sizing dies would be cut with the same reamer as your chamber is cut with. Of course, this means a lot of custom work but, you asked.

[Ahhnother8]

Redding type 'S' sizing
Redding competition seating

[264charlie]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=158086

[J-cat]

Neil Jones makes the best match dies.

[C.G.]

Argueable, the BEST sizing dies would be cut with the same reamer as your chamber is cut with. Of course, this means a lot of custom work but, you asked.

Yup.
And after that, Redding, still expensive, and may not fit the box once you assemble the die (one would think that they might have thought of that).
After that Forster, close to Redding, but less expensive.

I don't have custom dies as CSACANNONEER stated as best, the other two are a toss up between how much many you want to spend as oppose to quality.

My .338LM dies are Redding, 6.5 Grendel, .223 and .308 are Forster.

[CSACANNONEER]

Yup.
And after that, Redding, still expensive, and may not fit the box once you assemble the die (one would think that they might have thought of that).
After that Forster, close to Redding, but less expensive.

I don't have custom dies as CSACANNONEER stated as best, the other two are a toss up between how much many you want to spend as oppose to quality.

My .338LM dies are Redding, 6.5 Grendel, .223 and .308 are Forster.

Heck, I can't justify the expense of custom dies either. I've got dies ranging from Lee to Redding comp dies. If I was a top shooter, capable of setting records, I'd consider going to the trouble and expense of getting custom dies made and recutting my chambers. I don't see that happening anytime soon though.

[ar15barrels]

Heck, I can't justify the expense of custom dies either. I've got dies ranging from Lee to Redding comp dies. If I was a top shooter, capable of setting records, I'd consider going to the trouble and expense of getting custom dies made and recutting my chambers. I don't see that happening anytime soon though.

It's pretty simple to make a new seating insert for a redding or forester BR die if you have the reamer that cut your barrel's chamber.

[topgun7]

I use Redding competition dies for 223 and 300 WSM, and Forster Competition dies for 308. Both are excellent dies with micrometer adjustment. Most other dies for my other calibers are Redding also.

[CSACANNONEER]

It's pretty simple to make a new seating insert for a redding or forester BR die if you have the reamer that cut your barrel's chamber.

Yep, but, many of us don't have the reamer. I know that next time I get a rifle rebarrelled, I'll buy the reamer first. But, a new barrel, a reamer, gunsmith services and a custom die add up fast. I won't go this route until I need a new barrel!

[Californio]

Well I ordered the Redding Competition Seater from Midway, same old, same old - Back Ordered.

[C.G.]

Well I ordered the Redding Competition Seater from Midway, same old, same old - Back Ordered.

Try, Midsouth Shooters, Natchez or Graf and Sons.