Redding Comp Bushing Die Set

[Deleted member 107666]

I picked up the 3 die set of redding comp bushing dies for my first hack at reloading.

I'm pretty sure the bushing neck sizing die (with micrometer on top) is the neck sizing only and not the FL, however the instructions for setup only mention the FL sizing die, the body die and the mic seating die.

The neck sizing die (or what I assume is) is labeled B/NK assuming that is for Bushing / Neck or is that Body /NK?

Just wanting to be sure before I try and bump shoulders using only the body die first.

Also, is there a way to remove the decapping pin from the neck sizing die? It seems to be permanently attached to the mic at the top? I dont see an expander ball either, was going to remove it anyways, but does the Bushing Neck die not come with an expander ball?

Thanks in advance. Learning to do this with inrernet only help is proving to be pretty tough.

 

[5.56×250]

The die with the micrometer on top should be your bullet seating die . Are you mistaking the bullet seating stem for a decapping pin ? You might need to watch a video of the descriptions and parts of each die your using before you go much further.
I see you have over 100 posts and 4 featured threads. Are you yanking my chain with these questions, or are your posts and threads from areas away from the reloading sections on LRH ?

 

[mike06]

I have the same set both the seating die and the neck bushing die have micrometer tops. Make sure your seating die has the new VLD stem. I bought mine in 1995 replaced the stem for the TMK's and VLD's.

 

[Deleted member 107666]

The die with the micrometer on top should be your bullet seating die . Are you mistaking the bullet seating stem for a decapping pin ? You might need to watch a video of the descriptions and parts of each die your using before you go much further.
I see you have over 100 posts and 4 featured threads. Are you yanking my chain with these questions, or are your posts and threads from areas away from the reloading sections on LRH ?

Come on now, I'm not totally incompetent. If you owned the same die set as a beginner, I'm sure the labeling B/NK could confuse you too. Yes, I know what a decapping pin is. I own and have read both the berger and lyman reloading manual and have watched a ton of videos to help learn the safe process...and yes, I'm still learning.

This is a hunting forum, not a dedicated reloading forum, so I do have a post count in other parts of the forum and am trying to contribute in those areas where I can, while asking for help in the reloading section.

I appriciate your concern, but if you owned the die set I was asking about, the question would make more sense. Its advertised in some places as a 3 die set, a bushing neck sizing die (and a separate body die, and a seating) but the instructions that came with it have a sheet labeled FL bushing sizing die, body die and seating die...that and the B/NK label on the bottom of what I thought was only the bushing neck sizing die (with decapping pin and no expander button) is confusing me.

I have the same set both the seating die and the neck bushing die have micrometer tops. Make sure your seating die has the new VLD stem. I bought mine in 1995 replaced the stem for the TMK's and VLD's.

Thanks, yes, both seating and sizing die have the mic. Do I need the VLD seating system if I'm not seating VLDs (loading berger hybrids).

Does your sizing die say B/NK on it near the bottom of the body? If so, is that a body/neck (i.e. full length sizing die) or is that a bushing neck sizing die? Figure I'll just call redding on monday if I can't figure it out for sure this weekend.

 

[5.56×250]

Come on now, I'm not totally incompetent. If you owned the same die set as a beginner, I'm sure the labeling B/NK could confuse you too. Yes, I know what a recapping pin is. I've read both the berger and lyman reloading manual and have watched a ton of videos to help learn the safe process.

This is a hunting forum, not a dedicated reloading forum, so yes I do have a post count in other parts of the forum and am trying to contribute in those areas where I can, while asking for help in the reloading section.

Assuming since you didn't know that the comp dies have a sizing die and a seating die with a mic, that that aren't familiar enough with the set to answer the question in the first place?




Thanks, yes, both seating and sizing die have the mic. Do I need the VLD seating system if I'm not seating VLDs (loading berger hybrids).

Does your sizing die say B/NK on it near the bottom of the body? If so, is that a body/neck (i.e. full length sizing die) or is that a bushing neck sizing die? Figure I'll just call redding on monday if I can't figure it out for sure this weekend.

I wasn't trying to offend. I was seriously wondering if it was a setup thread to mess with someone. I looked at your post count to see if you were new to the site . When I saw your post count, I was honestly thinking this guy is messing with someone. I havent seen a full length sizing or neck sizing die with a micrometer top before, so that was my ignorance. I do use a Redding bushing type full length sizing die on my latest build and it doesnt have the mic top, so I assumed yours didnt either.
My bad and my apologies

 

[Deleted member 107666]

It's a pretty beginner question, I know, but no, my intent is not be.a troll, I'm honestly just trying to ID what particular die I have, be it a full length type S sizing die, or just a bushing neck sizing die.

B/NK stamped at the bottom, near where the caliber is labeled on the inner sleeve. A novice could read that as Body / Neck sizing or I could also read that as Bushing / Neck sizing...

Hope that clarified my confusion.

 

[5.56×250]

Mine says B/FL . It is the type S full length die. Hope thos helps.

 

[5.56×250]

I'm reasonably sure you have a bushing type, neck sizing die, based on the lettering on my die. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the body die actually says body on it.

 

[Deleted member 107666]

I have a separate body die...and a mic seating die. They came as a 3 die set labeled 'comp'.

I'm assuming since there is a body only die included, that the B/NK with mic is a bushing / neck sizing only die and NOT a type S bushing FL sizing die.

 

[5.56×250]

That's my assumption too

 

[mike06]

Come on now, I'm not totally incompetent. If you owned the same die set as a beginner, I'm sure the labeling B/NK could confuse you too. Yes, I know what a decapping pin is. I own and have read both the berger and lyman reloading manual and have watched a ton of videos to help learn the safe process...and yes, I'm still learning.

This is a hunting forum, not a dedicated reloading forum, so I do have a post count in other parts of the forum and am trying to contribute in those areas where I can, while asking for help in the reloading section.

I appriciate your concern, but if you owned the die set I was asking about, the question would make more sense. Its advertised in some places as a 3 die set, a bushing neck sizing die (and a separate body die, and a seating) but the instructions that came with it have a sheet labeled FL bushing sizing die, body die and seating die...that and the B/NK label on the bottom of what I thought was only the bushing neck sizing die (with decapping pin and no expander button) is confusing me.




Thanks, yes, both seating and sizing die have the mic. Do I need the VLD seating system if I'm not seating VLDs (loading berger hybrids).

Does your sizing die say B/NK on it near the bottom of the body? If so, is that a body/neck (i.e. full length sizing die) or is that a bushing neck sizing die? Figure I'll just call redding on monday if I can't figure it out for sure this weekend.

 

[mike06]

Mine is a three die set Seater, Bushing Neck Die and a body die I bought the 20+ years ago. you have to take the seater apart and see how the bullet fits just make sure it does not hit the tip first. My bad. Mine is the Competition Seating Die and the Competition Bushing Neck Die the body die was separate.

 

[Dean2]

So to answer your specific question, the B stands for Bushing, then NK for neck in your case. If it was a FL bushing die it would say B/FL that would mean Full Length sizing die. The body die does not have a decap rod, it is only designed to bump the shoulder and if you screw it down it will size the body but it does not size the actual neck at all. Body dies are often used as one of the steps when making brass from another cartridge. They have no moving parts. You can partial body size, same as a FL die by slowly backing off the body die till you get a perfect headspace fit.

With a bushing die there is no expander plug, you use the right size bushing to only squeeze the neck down just enough to give you the neck tension you want .002-.005. With a regular neck die, it over squeezes the neck and the expander plug opens it back up to give a set tension.

The decapping pin is on a rod that is loctited in place. To move that rod the first time you may need to use a fair amount of force. If you check Youtube there are a couple of good videos on how to adjust the pin or remove it. Too hard to type out in words. Hope this helps. The reps at Redding are excellent about answering questions too.

 

[Deleted member 107666]

So to answer your specific question, the B stands for Bushing, then NK for neck in your case. If it was a FL bushing die it would say B/FL that would mean Full Length sizing die. The body die does not have a decap rod, it is only designed to bump the shoulder and if you screw it down it will size the body but it does not size the actual neck at all. Body dies are often used as one of the steps when making brass from another cartridge. They have no moving parts. You can partial body size, same as a FL die by slowly backing off the body die till you get a perfect headspace fit.

With a bushing die there is no expander plug, you use the right size bushing to only squeeze the neck down just enough to give you the neck tension you want .002-.005. With a regular neck die, it over squeezes the neck and the expander plug opens it back up to give a set tension.

The decapping pin is on a rod that is loctited in place. To move that rod the first time you may need to use a fair amount of force. If you check Youtube there are a couple of good videos on how to adjust the pin or remove it. Too hard to type out in words. Hope this helps. The reps at Redding are excellent about answering questions too.

Perfect, and thanks for hitting all if the highlights. Questions answered.