2 reloading questions

[IdahoJoe]

I can get a really good deal on RCBS dies and was wonder which should I get for my bolt action 223 the gold metal bushing dies or the competition dies. as near as I can tell the major difference is the bushing.

second question who full length resizes and who neck resizes . Is it worth getting the neck on dies or can one neck size and get the same results with adjusting the full length dies.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I can get a really good deal on RCBS dies and was wonder which should I get for my bolt action 223 the gold metal bushing dies or the competition dies. as near as I can tell the major difference is the bushing.

second question who full length resizes and who neck resizes . Is it worth getting the neck on dies or can one neck size and get the same results with adjusting the full length dies.

RCBS dies are a pain in the butt! I would suggest getting something else. THat little nit on the top always moves on me. I got rid of all my RCBS dies. I think most guys here as far as their hunting rifles go full length resize.

 

[TRG300WM]

If you want to go with a commercial bushing die i would consider these two manly because these are the ones i have bought and used, with out problem & the tolerances are very good.
Redding comp neck size Bushing and comp seater, or there S-type neck size Bushing Bump die cheaper than comp series. Forsters Bushing Bump Neck Size die and there Ultra Micrometer Seater die.... these are more expensive than your normal run of the mill dies, But make nice concentric ammo with out a problem.

 

[gunpower]

RCBS dies are a pain in the butt! I would suggest getting something else. THat little nit on the top always moves on me. I got rid of all my RCBS dies. I think most guys here as far as their hunting rifles go full length resize.

I have had RCBS dies for over thirty years and never had a problem with them. Must have been you .lol
I full length resize the first firing of the new brass ,then after that I just neck size making sure that the shoulder is bumped back to the correct amount.lightbulb

 

[lever-hed]

Let me suggest getting a set of LEE dies.. they are a quality/economical set of dies that you can FL size or neck size.

The main issue between full length and neck sizing generally is consistency and brass life. You should FL size ANY brass you will use the FIRST time through a particular rifle. After that, you can neck size only – neck sizing only allows brass to form to your rifle's chamber and create optimum headspace. I don't mean to sound like a lawyer but buy a reloading manual (Sierra or Nosler for ex.) and read through it, I did and became highly enlightened..

 

[Reloader222]

I would say Redding is the top of the range, then Foster. However, before selecting a Lee I would prefer taking a Hornady dies set. Their seater dies is not the same as the Foster Benchrest, but it give good seating with very low runout.

 

[Derek M.]

I started with the cheapest RCBS dies. I don't know about their top tier dies.

I have been using Redding and Forster and cannot tell a difference between them.

If you want to spend the money pay someone to make custom dies for you. Can't go wrong.

 

[Bobo1699]

Lees die Lee are my choise.I had A small ptoblem with my.233 dies I contacted
tech support.I sent my dies along with 2 fired new Brass cases. Lee ground out my dies to match my Chamber,I have not had any futher Problems withThe Dies.
Thank You Lee & company.

Bobo1699 gun)

 

[Derek M.]

Lees die Lee are my choise.I had A small ptoblem with my.233 dies I contacted
tech support.I sent my dies along with 2 fired new Brass cases. Lee ground out my dies to match my Chamber,I have not had any futher Problems withThe Dies.
Thank You Lee & company.

Bobo1699 gun)

Forster will do the same. I don't know if Redding will.

Send your fired brass to Forster and they will cut a sizing die for you. One thing I didn't like about Redding was how the sizing die comes from the factory. It really squeezes the necks down tight causing the need for the expander to have a tight fit, squeek a lot, and all that work really hardens the brass.

I sent my dies back with a dummy loaded round and asked them to give me .0025 less diameter so when the neck is resized it does not require the expander, and there is .0005 room for spring back. I don't use an expander and haven't for years now and runout is almost a non-issue.

 

[sp6x6]

I have the RCBS comp. dies,with neck. I love the micro seater, it has a sliding sleeve and a window on side, you just drop a bullet down in sleeve then it rides up to stem. I find this very handy for handling those tiny bullets, produces good ammo.

 

[TRG300WM]

the need for the expander to have a tight fit, squeek a lot, and all that work really hardens the brass.

Try some imperial Dry Neck Lube on your necks before you FL size them it will drastically improve the dragging of the expander button through the neck.