Redding Competition versus Type S dies.

[Nessal]

Is the only difference between the two is that the Competition has a micrometer and the Type S which is A LOT cheaper does not? Is it worth it to get the Competition with micrometer? Thanks for the help!

[ar15barrels]

I use the set that has a Type S sizer die and a Competition bullet seater die.
There is little value from having the micromoter top on the sizer die.

[Nessal]

Ditto that was my thinking. I'll pick up the set with the neck sizer and comp seater. Since this is for a bolt action, i rather get the neck sizer than the full length sizer.

[ar15barrels]

I full length size for my precision bolt rifles.
Just be sure to setup the sizer properly to only size 0.001" shorter than fired case dimensions.

[Nessal]

I figured neck sizing would be better because after you fire form, the casing would mold into the chamber making everything concentric to the bore. Also it reduces work hardening as quickly. My full sized brassed hardens really quick.

[Nessal]

Also how do i pick out the correct bushings to use? Do i take a measurement of the diameter of the bullet then add on case thickness on opposing sides of the cartridge then subtract 0.003 to pick out the correct size?

[shooting4life]

I like forester dies. You can send a die back to them with 10 bucks and they will hone the die to the neck tension you want.

[Fjold]

Also how do i pick out the correct bushings to use? Do i take a measurement of the diameter of the bullet then add on case thickness on opposing sides of the cartridge then subtract 0.003 to pick out the correct size?

When you are picking bushings, you are going to get a little "spring back" after sizing. To get .003" of neck tension you will need to know the loaded diameter of your rounds and then you buy a bushing that sizes to about .004" smaller than that.

The other issue is neck sizing is that it also relies on the spring back of the fired cases to get you the .001" of shoulder clearance necessary for the cases to fit into your chamber. After a while the shoulder will work harden and you will not get that spring back. So after a few reloads the cases will be harder to chamber and you will need to use a full length sizing die to bump the shoulders back. It's more cost effective to buy the FL sizer and set it up to size the cases .001" smaller than the chamber size. Most of the time the die will just size the neck until they grow to long at the shoulder and then it will just touch them enough to ease the chambering.

[Switchbarrel]

Bushing size

Also how do i pick out the correct bushings to use? Do i take a measurement of the diameter of the bullet then add on case thickness on opposing sides of the cartridge then subtract 0.003 to pick out the correct size?

From Redding's site:

There has been some confusion regarding the correct diameter bushing that should be used with Redding Bushing Style Sizing Dies. The most common misconception is that the bushing diameter is determined by the neck diameter of fired cases or the neck diameter of the chamber that the reloaded ammunition will be fired in. The bushing diameter is related to the chamber neck diameter, but only indirectly, in that the loaded cartridges must have adequate clearance at the neck to allow the bullet to be released properly upon firing.*
The easiest way to determine the proper diameter bushing is to measure the neck diameter of several loaded or dummy cartridges with an accurate micrometer. (These dummy cartridges can be loaded with your old set of dies or a borrowed set.) Then, simply subtract 0.001" from the cartridge that had the smallest average measurement. This will allow for a slight amount of spring back and create a proper press fit for the bullet.

Click on bushing selection here:

http://www.redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips

IIRC they used to recommend the .003-4" smaller dia. bushing, now they recommend .001".

-Rick

[ar15barrels]

I figured neck sizing would be better because after you fire form, the casing would mold into the chamber making everything concentric to the bore. Also it reduces work hardening as quickly. My full sized brassed hardens really quick.

I'm running a tighter spec chamber so the brass is not getting worked very much.
I only size about 2/3 of the neck length.
I leave an un-sized donut at the base that centers the cartridge in the chamber even though the rest of the case is full length sized.
I also only have about 0.001" headspace so it's hard for the case to sit sideways in the chamber.

[Fjold]

I'm running a tighter spec chamber so the brass is not getting worked very much.
I only size about 2/3 of the neck length.
I leave an un-sized donut at the base that centers the cartridge in the chamber even though the rest of the case is full length sized.
I also only have about 0.001" headspace so it's hard for the case to sit sideways in the chamber.

Me too.