Thinking of trying a new die set

[RemingtonShooter]

Hey all,

I currently use mostly redding dies and have no complaints. I mostly reload 308, 7 RM, 300WM, 300WSM, 270 and 6.5. I use standard dies with the add-on micrometer. I do have one set of type S dies. I have no reason to change I guess other than to try something different. I have been thinking of the Forester FL and Seating (with micrometer). Any thoughts? I mostly load for hunting but may start doing some long range stuff with my 308.

 

[CBH Australia]

Plenty say Redding are as good as any.
Obviously there is Forster, Whidden, and Wilson that I know of. Plus blanks to be cut from your chamber reamer.

Slowly learning and trying to get better accountancy, skills and. Shooting technique.

There are so many options, techniques and opinions.


I met an experienced shooter through another forum, he has since passed away but we met up to compare our custom knives from New Zealand maker Von Gruff.
Often when I mentioned buying things in the forum like micrometer dies or the latest and greatest he would write and say spending money isn't always the road to accuracy. Obviously it helps but to get the full advantage of bushing dies you should probably do things like anneal and neck turn, possibly other things.

You can adjust seating depth without a micrometre seating stem but it makes it easy to note and readjust if you are testing seating depths.

Some swear by Lee Collet dies for decent accuracy and minimal working of the brass. Some find crimping with a LEe Factory Crimp dies helps.

Some say using a Forster Coax press loads more concentric ammo. But you need a concentricity gauge to test the ammo..

Of you have the time and budget to experiment that's great and you may see good results.

Some here might say you are looking over the edge of a rabbit hole,

Maybe better projectiles might be a step in the right direction but again opinions and results may vary.

Good luck,

 

[ShtrRdy]

Switching from Redding to Forster won't be much of a difference - if any.

 

[Dosh]

I've been buying Forster for my hunting calibers. The loads from my first set of Forster were much more precise so I am slowly switching to them.

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

My forster micrometer seater dies always end up having issues. Seating stem is fragile and flares easily.

 

[CBH Australia]

Another thing comes to mind is Forster use aluminium lock rings.
I've read negative comments about them.
I own maybe 10 die sets various makers and I like some of the features on Hornady sets.
Some people are happy with Simplex dies for hunting. It's a little known Australian maker that probably started before American gear became more accessible.

 

[marchboom]

One of the benefits of using Forster dies is their die honing service. I have used Forster dies for years and they work out great. They result in less runout compared to other dies I've used, including Redding bushing dies.

 

[Taylorbok]

I think for my next project I am going to order a resize reamer also and get a set of Newlon dies to have machined out.

 

[Silent Hammer]

And yet some say why spend the extra money for expensive mic- dies, I like the Lee dies, save money and work for me. You can check run-out all you want when the proof is in the groups you get.

 

[Taylorbok]

And yet some say why spend the extra money for expensive mic- dies, I like the Lee dies, save money and work for me. You can check run-out all you want when the proof is in the groups you get.

I somewhat agree with you but I have also found it easier to produce better shooting ammo when using proper gear. I've gone the way of expanding in a separate step. My thought on the Newlon dies is there isn't many options for the next 2 calibers I'm planning (338 Edge, 284 Shehane) so I figure try out a custom set.

I run cheapo RCBS dies for my 243 and it consistently shoots 1/2 moa and several groups in 1/3 range

 

[waveslayer]

I have had good luck with almost all my dies, but I need to remove all the variables, which are many. Beenosrly impressed with my Whidden dies as of late though.

If it's not broke why fix it?

 

[RYEWSKY25284]

Hey all,

I currently use mostly redding dies and have no complaints. I mostly reload 308, 7 RM, 300WM, 300WSM, 270 and 6.5. I use standard dies with the add-on micrometer. I do have one set of type S dies. I have no reason to change I guess other than to try something different. I have been thinking of the Forester FL and Seating (with micrometer). Any thoughts? I mostly load for hunting but may start doing some long range stuff with my 308.

I have always used Redding dies. Then, last year I bought a Whidden Die for my 6.5 CM and a Forster shoulder bump bushing die for my .204 Ruger. I feel they are BOTH a higher quality die than the Redding's.
However, I do favor the Redding precision seating dies over the Forster precision seater.
my .02 cents

 

[P7M13]

But you need a concentricity gauge to test the ammo..

Not really. You can roll it on a piece of bar stock or a machinist's stone.

 

[DartonJager]

Some say using a Forster Coax press loads more concentric ammo. But you need a concentricity gauge to test the ammo..

Depends on how exact you need to be exact.
I have enjoyed pretty good success detecting run out by using a dead flat pain of 24"x24" glass and roll each individually loaded round on it dead even at eye level under a very strong light. You'd be amazed how well out of round loadings show up.
I'd LOVE to buy a 21st Century CG but I can't justify the cost.