I've searched the forums for an answer to this question, however I cannot seem to find the right answer. I am quite certain that I have posted this question in another thread, however cannot find that thread!? Many of the replies in the threads have said that they are "tagging in" the thread because they have the same question/s. And....many have said that they wished they had asked more questions before they bought when they first started out; I've found it's expensive to start out. I plan on whitetail deer hunting in open farm areas, so long distance hunting (for me); 300-500/600 yards and getting best performance out of the rifle at the range at 300 yards. I think a good, accurate hunting rifle would be good enough to do what I want, however I wanted something better. So.......now with my question/s.
I'm about to make a purchase of a set of custom dies for a .270 Ackley Improved that I just had built. I'd like to add that there were two rifles, Ruger 77s, built at the same time, with the same barrel maker (Lilja), with the same reamer, by the same gunsmith. I am hoping to be able to use the same sizing die for both rifles. I'm pretty certain about the Whidden hydroform dies, but uncertain about where to go from there. I've read a lot about Redding, and Forster, they too seem to have a good reputation. I plan on neck turning, have purchased a set up for the Forster Original trimmer. I know that there are other neck turning tools, however felt that I already had the Forster tool and took advantage of it. If it turns out that I don't like the Forster neck turner I'll pick up one of the other tools down the line; K&M, Sinclair. With turning the necks I suspect that a bushing die is on the punch list of dies to purchase. I would like to get a seating die that has a sliding bushing with a micrometer on it. It almost appears that to get total accuracy out of dies you have to take the best out of all three manufacturers that I've mentioned. I suspect that there's going to be a number of opinions, I appreciate the input.
I'm about to make a purchase of a set of custom dies for a .270 Ackley Improved that I just had built. I'd like to add that there were two rifles, Ruger 77s, built at the same time, with the same barrel maker (Lilja), with the same reamer, by the same gunsmith. I am hoping to be able to use the same sizing die for both rifles. I'm pretty certain about the Whidden hydroform dies, but uncertain about where to go from there. I've read a lot about Redding, and Forster, they too seem to have a good reputation. I plan on neck turning, have purchased a set up for the Forster Original trimmer. I know that there are other neck turning tools, however felt that I already had the Forster tool and took advantage of it. If it turns out that I don't like the Forster neck turner I'll pick up one of the other tools down the line; K&M, Sinclair. With turning the necks I suspect that a bushing die is on the punch list of dies to purchase. I would like to get a seating die that has a sliding bushing with a micrometer on it. It almost appears that to get total accuracy out of dies you have to take the best out of all three manufacturers that I've mentioned. I suspect that there's going to be a number of opinions, I appreciate the input.
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