Getting into precision reloading

[J-cat]

Lee Collet Neck Sizing Die, the best.

[SixPointEight]

I actually heard that neck sizing dies won't bump the shoulder back, so I was going to just use a FL sizer backed way out. Plus, then if I need to FL size ever, I have the option. With that said, these dies are pretty expensive, if I can only afford one at a time, should I buy a nice seating die, or a nice sizing die first? Also, with so many dies out there it's crazy. Any opinion on the Forster dies? They seem to get good reviews, and at a good price. If not RCBS would be about the highest I could go price wise, the Redding(at least the seater) dies are a bit pricy for now.

[J-cat]

Using the FL sizer to neck size is not going to work. The die will compress the shoulder where it joins the case body and that will push the shoulder forward where it joins the neck. That case won't chamber.

[SixPointEight]

On midway, i believe that at least the forster dies say you can back them out to neck size only. Brand specific? Maybe, but i hadnt heard that before.

[Ahhnother8]

a tool to measure COL to the start of the ogive, yes, needed
a tool to measure length to the case shoulder, not needed, use the rifle chamber
a primer pocket uniformer ok, but not entirely necessary
a neck turner don't bother
an eccentricity gage not needed, buy good (Redding) dies
what brands and tools are you guys using? Sinclair, Redding, etc.
trimming & pointing bullets don't bother
chronograph not needed for 600 yards, shoot for groups

[killshot44]

A majority of High Power Match shooters use the Redding Type S Match Bushing (full length) dies. The changeable bushing allows you to get the exact neck tension desired. With three bushings, say .244, .245, .246 (for .223), you can get the proper tension with different case manufacturers.

Goes without saying, the Redding Competition Seating die is also used.

As far as weights go, a 1/9 barrel should be good with 69gr SMK or 70gr Bergers out to 600yds (I used the 69 SMKs).

When you measure your chamber/throat with the OAL Guage you'll find out if you've got the room for the longer bullets since they are usually loaded to beyond-magazine-length sizes and are single-loaded. But I could not get the heavier/longer VLDs to work in my 1/9 barrels.

The 80gr Bergers are fantastic in my 24" 1/8 WOA Wylde chambered match barrel. No problem with them to 1K in Sacramento. Well, there IS a problem, but it's just the shooter. The 90s work well but I'm still defining the load for them.

[SixPointEight]

If i don't buy a concentricity guage I may be able to swing the redding dies. Maybe the redding bushing sizer and the forster seater to save a little. I dont think the 80s or 90s will work in this barrel. Im going to start with the 75s, if those stabilize ill move up to the 77 smk 75 amax and maybe 80vlds if they'll fit. The chrono I cN rent at sac valley when i need it.

My question is, loading this long wont fit in the gun's internal mag, if I also choose to shoot. Tactical style match, is there a detachable mg that will hold rounds as long as the 80's?

[Ahhnother8]

If i don't buy a concentricity guage I may be able to swing the redding dies. Maybe the redding bushing sizer and the forster seater to save a little. I dont think the 80s or 90s will work in this barrel. Im going to start with the 75s, if those stabilize ill move up to the 77 smk 75 amax and maybe 80vlds if they'll fit. The chrono I cN rent at sac valley when i need it.

My question is, loading this long wont fit in the gun's internal mag, if I also choose to shoot. Tactical style match, is there a detachable mg that will hold rounds as long as the 80's?

Redding dies - buy once!!

If the 75's shoot, the 77's will shoot. They are a LTB bullet, and are typically loaded to mag length. They don't fly too well, but are fine out to 600 yards. The 75 or 80 A-max is a great bullet, if it will stabilize, but will not fit in the magazine.

The 80's are not intended to be shot out of any magazine. They can be loaded to mag length, but are WAY into the case, and may not group well.

[SixPointEight]

Redding dies - buy once!!

If the 75's shoot, the 77's will shoot. They are a LTB bullet, and are typically loaded to mag length. They don't fly too well, but are fine out to 600 yards. The 75 or 80 A-max is a great bullet, if it will stabilize, but will not fit in the magazine.

The 80's are not intended to be shot out of any magazine. They can be loaded to mag length, but are WAY into the case, and may not group well.

I'm gonna split the redding/forster combo. Redding bushing FL sizer, and the forster seater. For now I'll ditch the concentricity gauge. My graf's cart is the Redding Bushing Die, Forster Seater, Hornady Comparator, Hornady headspace bushing, and the possum hollow trimmer/power adapter. That seems like a good place to start from what I've been reading. Any last minute changes?

[killshot44]

Bite the bullet and get the Redding Comp seater to go with the sizer. Yeah, they cost me more than my press but they're worth it. That and the Hornady OAL Guage to define your maximum chamber length.

[Ahhnother8]

Bite the bullet and get the Redding Comp seater to go with the sizer. Yeah, they cost me more than my press but they're worth it. That and the Hornady OAL Guage to define your maximum chamber length.

This!!

And don't forget the neck sizing bushings.

[J-cat]

On midway, i believe that at least the forster dies say you can back them out to neck size only. Brand specific? Maybe, but i hadnt heard that before.

Think about it. The case expands at least .005" when it fires. The die sizes the case at least .005" at the base, shoulder, and neck. The shoulder will begin to get sized before the neck even touches the die.

[SixPointEight]

Think about it. The case expands at least .005" when it fires. The die sizes the case at least .005" at the base, shoulder, and neck. The shoulder will begin to get sized before the neck even touches the die.

The taper in the die should prevent that. 223 isn't straight walled, the nominal dimension of the base is .377 I believe, and the neck where it meets the shoulder is .355. Either way, its advertised to work, and everyone says get FL dies, but set them so they bump the shoulder back .003" and that's it. People wouldn't be doing that if the cases wouldn't chamber. I see how what you're saying could be possible, but it just doesn't happen. Now that I've said that...it'll happen to me.

Bite the bullet and get the Redding Comp seater to go with the sizer. Yeah, they cost me more than my press but they're worth it. That and the Hornady OAL Guage to define your maximum chamber length.

From everything I read, the Redding die is actually the same design as the forster, and the forster is supposedly easier to disassemble for cleaning, and the micrometer has more space between the settings, making it easier to set. From what I've been reading, they produce essentially the same results.

This!!

And don't forget the neck sizing bushings.

Good point, I'll add those in

[J-cat]

The taper in the die should prevent that. 223 isn't straight walled, the nominal dimension of the base is .377 I believe, and the neck where it meets the shoulder is .355. Either way, its advertised to work, and everyone says get FL dies, but set them so they bump the shoulder back .003" and that's it. People wouldn't be doing that if the cases wouldn't chamber. I see how what you're saying could be possible, but it just doesn't happen. Now that I've said that...it'll happen to me.

That's not what the OP wants to do. He wants to neck size, not neck and shoulder bump.

The taper in the die will induce the shoulder movement, not prevent it. You have it backwards.

[Nessal]

Hornady comperator
K&M uniformer
Lyman flash hole deburrer
Forster neck turner
Redding comp seater
Lee Collet die