Redding Competition Dies - Info needed

[Jicko]

A couple of questions about the Redding dies.

1) I know that the micrometer seating die(i got this already) is VERY useful and probably one of THE BEST...... how about the micrometer neck sizer die? Is it worth it? I don't even know if I have any idea HOW to set that one up!! Or is the regular bushing neck sizer good enough?

2) Now, for 308WIN, which bushing should I use!? I don't know how to pick?

3) Regular Steel vs Titanium Nitride bushing.... which one should I get?

4) Body die, is the regular redding body die good enough? Or should I order the "small base" body die? My 5R is tight... and my next gun would be a "R+D custom"... so, should be tight too...

Please help.... i need to upgrade my neck sizer and my body die immediately...

[ar15barrels]

The micrometer neck sizer is overkill in my opinion.
You can suposedly make the same adjustments on the standard S die.
The amount of neck length that you size is not a micrometer-critical adjustment.
Bushing diameter depends on brass.
Follow redding's instructions, or call Sinclair and they usually just know what size to buy.
Basically, measure a bunch of loaded rounds and note the neck diameters.
Then subtract 0.003" and 0.004" to choose a couple bushing sizes.
Obviously, you have to have brass that's consistent in order to choose a bushing to size it properly.
Regular steel bushings are fine.
Regular body die should be fine too.

[mattmcg]

-Agree with Randall that the micrometer neck sizer die can be overkill but it can be helpful on subsequent loadings of brass if you need to tweak from case to case. I have the Type S full length sizer die, the neck micrometer sizer die, and the micrometer bullet seating die. I don't have of need the body die. For new brass, I use a Type S die to both body and neck size at the same time. Subsequent firings only involve the neck sizer die.

-Add the 2 thicknesses of each side of the neck then add the caliber of the bullet. From there subtract the desired neck tension to determine the proper neck bushing for you. (an example from my Federal 308 cases .015x2+.308=.338-.002 (neck tension) = .336 bushing). A lot of folks suggest buying one down and one up from that but I have found the others (once I've determined what neck thickness I want) just sit in the box.

-Get the Titanium Nitride bushing. Makes neck sizing much smoother since it doesn't require lube (although a small amount is suggested).