Redding rifle dies?

[Blwnbwtie]

I have been using Lee dies which are okay but i think its time to start upgrading my rifle dies. I am looking at the 3pc set that comes with the neck sizing die, i was wondering if you need to lube the cases with neck size only. Also does anyone use these dies and what do you think of them?

[C.G.]

I have a Redding Competition die set for my .338 Lapua. Great set, albeit expensive. My only moan is when you assemble the dies they no longer fit into the plastic box. You would think for $250 they would have a box that fit.

I also like Forster dies, Redding I think has a slight edge but at a greater cost. The only thing I don't like about Forster is they have a tendency to leave rings on bullets, so either you have to send them back to Forster or polish them yourself.

BTW, if you will be using these for different rifles, get the FL dies instead. Neck sizing is for using on only one rifle (unless all your rifles have identical chamberings, which I doubt).

[Jicko]

Redding's Competition Seating Die..... one of the, if not THE, BEST....

If you look closely into their patent.... it is really THE best.... super accurate, and super consistant.

RE: neck sizing..... no, you don't need to lube... if you are neck sizing only.

[Blwnbwtie]

Thanks for the responses guys.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=180677

this is the set i am looking at comes with both FL and neck dies. One more thing i was wondering is the lee dies seem to not size the bottom 1/8" or so of the casing. Is this an issue with these dies or all dies? Or is that just the Lee dies that do that?

[Jicko]

Thanks for the responses guys.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=180677

this is the set i am looking at comes with both FL and neck dies. One more thing i was wondering is the lee dies seem to not size the bottom 1/8" or so of the casing. Is this an issue with these dies or all dies? Or is that just the Lee dies that do that?

I know it is an issue with Lee's die.... and the cases that is sized by that may not fit in some "tighter" case guage (like Wilson's)..... while some "looser" guage will work (like Dillon's).

I think the Redding will size further down.

PS. by the way, there are BETTER dies than the one you quoted above.... give me a sec, let me try to ID them...

OK....

seater, get this one
"Competition Seating Die"

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=621809&t=11082005

for FL sizing, maybe someone else may be able to suggest something...
i would think that i personally would want:
"Small based body die"

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=377300&t=11082005

and maybe another "neck sizer".....

[Blacktail 8541]

I have several sets of redding dies. Haveing said that I live in the same town where RCBS dies are made. I use a lot of RCBS dies, but I think Redding makes better dies; but at a greater cost.

[bohoki]

i like the hornaday dies just for hte bullet seater it guides the bullet right in making contact with it as you let go of the bullet

[rksimple]

Redding makes great dies. If I were to do it all over again, I'd probably go with the FL bushing die. Set it to bump the shoulder .002 (or not at all if you want) and pull the expander ball. That should make the brass go a long ways.

The comp seater is fantastic.

[pklin1297]

I use Redding dies and they are well built and work great... I have noticed my FL Sizing die does not size all the way down the case, like my Hornady dies, no matter how I adjust it, but after resizing it still falls within dimensions listed on the reloading manuals and I have not had any problems feeding them so I overlook it.

Only thing I change on my Redding dies are the lock rings... I use Hornady lock rings that clamp the dies instead of tightening a set screw against the die threads like the Redding lock rings.

[Blacktail 8541]

Only thing I change on my Redding dies are the lock rings... I use Hornady lock rings that clamp the dies instead of tightening a set screw against the die threads like the Redding lock rings.

I do the same for all my dies.

[Blwnbwtie]

Picked up a set of the redding deluxe dies at angeles yesterday. Tried them a little today and WOW what a difference. the FL die sized a lot further down and the neck die was a lot easier to use than that silly collet die that LEE has. I am officially sold on these, now to replace my 8mm and 303 dies.

[ar15barrels]

Picked up a set of the redding deluxe dies at angeles yesterday. Tried them a little today and WOW what a difference. the FL die sized a lot further down and the neck die was a lot easier to use than that silly collet die that LEE has. I am officially sold on these, now to replace my 8mm and 303 dies.

So how good of a deal are Lee dies when you later figure out how much better good dies are and replace all the lee dies?
Had you known better, you probably would have just bought good dies to start wouldn't you?
And all the cheapskates always call us experienced reloaders gear whores because we refuse to use cheap/mediocre tools...

[ocabj]

I have the Redding micrometer seater for .223, .308, and 6.5x55. I also have the Forster micrometer seater for .223. Having used both, I think they are both equal in quality. Given the fact that the Forster is less expensive, I always recommend the Forster.

[Blwnbwtie]

So how good of a deal are Lee dies when you later figure out how much better good dies are and replace all the lee dies?
Had you known better, you probably would have just bought good dies to start wouldn't you?
And all the cheapskates always call us experienced reloaders gear whores because we refuse to use cheap/mediocre tools...

Yeah now i wish i had just bought good stuff first. Oh well, you live and you learn.