Who makes the Best Quality Dies?
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
I will have to say the Redding comp dies. I only like thier comp dies. But I just can't bring myself to pay 120 dollars for a set, and if you get the neck sizing bushing dies competition and the comp seater, big money.
I got one set. All I can afford.
I can't believe how accurate teh seater can be. If you measue 3.625, and want to make it 3.6, you adjust that seater with the ticks for .25, and it will be accurate.
I got one set. All I can afford.
I can't believe how accurate teh seater can be. If you measue 3.625, and want to make it 3.6, you adjust that seater with the ticks for .25, and it will be accurate.
#3
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch MS USA
Well, I use a Sinclair concentricity gauge to measure runout. I think concentricity is one of the most important factors in accuracy and it's something I pay close attention to.
I usually neck size only and I use the Lee collet neck die for that. It's a great die with some distinct benefits. First, it works the neck less than conventional dies with expander buttons. Second, there's no need to lube your cases. And third, it makes very straight ammo whether you neck turn your brass or not and that's the main reason I use them. This die is not perfect, though. I've always found the tooling marks on the internal working parts to be excessive. But these can be easily polished away with some wet/dry sandpaper and oil. I also apply a little grease where the collet and collet sleeve bear against each other.
For seating I use either a Redding Competition seater or the Forster Ultra seater. I really can't find any fault with either one. Both have the micrometer adjustment which makes it easier to fine tune seating depth.
Since I started using the above combination, runout has been a nonexistent problem for me. I think the absolute worst I've measured is .004". Out of a batch of 20 rounds I'll usually have 4 or 5 that measure zero for all practical purposes. The rest will generally be in the .000 to .002" range. That's good enough for me.
I usually neck size only and I use the Lee collet neck die for that. It's a great die with some distinct benefits. First, it works the neck less than conventional dies with expander buttons. Second, there's no need to lube your cases. And third, it makes very straight ammo whether you neck turn your brass or not and that's the main reason I use them. This die is not perfect, though. I've always found the tooling marks on the internal working parts to be excessive. But these can be easily polished away with some wet/dry sandpaper and oil. I also apply a little grease where the collet and collet sleeve bear against each other.
For seating I use either a Redding Competition seater or the Forster Ultra seater. I really can't find any fault with either one. Both have the micrometer adjustment which makes it easier to fine tune seating depth.
Since I started using the above combination, runout has been a nonexistent problem for me. I think the absolute worst I've measured is .004". Out of a batch of 20 rounds I'll usually have 4 or 5 that measure zero for all practical purposes. The rest will generally be in the .000 to .002" range. That's good enough for me.
#6
Like bigcountry said,
I also have Redding comp dies.Depends how much you want to spend.
All my dies are carbide.I have them up to 45-70.Most of them are rifle
and a the rest in hand gun.Most of them are RCBS in carbide.
I also have Redding comp dies.Depends how much you want to spend.
All my dies are carbide.I have them up to 45-70.Most of them are rifle
and a the rest in hand gun.Most of them are RCBS in carbide.
#7
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch MS USA
I think I've got two Forster full length dies somewhere, but I haven't used them in a few years. I use the setup I previously described pretty much exclusively now. I've also got a couple of Redding S type bushing neck dies I don't use any more.
#8
Thread Starter
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,471
Likes: 0
From:
Here's what I think I am going to do. I am going to buy a Die Blank and have my Gunsmith make me a die using the same reamer he is using on my new rifle. His name isn't Kenny Jarrett therefore they should be semi-affordable. I then will buy a Redding Competition seater. I don't have as much time on my hands as BC does but I will buy a run out indicator anyhow.
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
but I will buy a run out indicator anyhow.
Don't do it. Its cost me a fortune. I went from being satisfied, to runout, to neck turning, and now back to just picking thru loaded shells to find good runout. Drive a man crazy.


