Is the new "custom" dies worth the extra money?

[diggler1833]

For those trying to be competitive at the highest level (benchrest, F-Class), not spending the extra couple hundred on dies can potentially be a handicap. However, I've followed a guy on YouTube who is a long range benchrest national champion (Bruce Teel)... and you'd be pretty amazed at his comparatively inexpensive reloading setup. It very much contradicts the guys touting the need for $10K's worth of equipment on a reloading bench.

The OP's question was if dies costing hundreds were necessary for 1/2 - 3/4 MOA loads... they are not. Your cheapest dies and press are capable of that, as long as the dude assembling the ammo is consistent about his processes.

That also doesn't mean that the finest dies aren't worth it to some people too. A lot of guys can't shoot an AI better than a RPR, but that doesn't justify passing on the Accuracy International for the Ruger if you just want an AI. Same with reloading equipment

It's the internet, and everyone who doesn't agree with you will automatically assume that you're retarded. Unfortunately, that frequently boils down to them not simply having the same experiences as you. I've built some fantastic ammo over the years with $35 (at the time) RCBS dies. I stopped buying new sets due to QC issues that I got twice in a row. So now I'm a Forester and Redding guy. I still use my old RCBS sets though. If one thinks that those old dies aren't capable of consistent bugholes...

 

[JR1200W3]

PRS guys:

In the reloading room: uses $600 sizing dies

At the match: Cheats by shooting off a cooler

 

[Aftermath]

I've been looking at the some of the new dies out there such as the Short Action and Area 419 and wondering if the cost of them is worth it compared to Redding, RCBS, etc. This is for a rifle that shoots 1/2-3/4" moa, will these new dies really improve accuracy? Not wanting this to turn into a bash thread, just curious before I drop hard earned cash

 

[codym]

Nice tools cost money, you can use harbor freight shit and it will generally get the job done but nicer tools make it more enjoyable, same in dies. I will say I’m about fed up with Redding. I’ve had issues with their 223 ack 260 ack and 300 prc dies. Honestly my favorite sizing dies are Wilson. I will be trying the SAC dies soon. The seater die from sac is legit. It is spot on adjustment wise and a joy to use. Replaced a bunch of other dies. Buy the best tools you can afford if you will be using them often if not buy the cheap shit you won’t use them enough to justify the difference

 

[JR1200W3]

Ya, Forester = Harbor Freight now

 

[codym]

Is that what was said? I actually like Forster dies. The comparison would be bottom tier reloading gear to the highest end stuff. I wouldn’t say Forster is the highest end but definitely not bottom end.

 

[JR1200W3]

Is that what was said?

Good question. What are you saying? Who's HF in reloading dies. I'll stop guessing and you start specifying.

 

[codym]

For me right now it’s Redding. I’ve had 3 out of spec dies right out of the box. Lee load all was the press I started on. Rickety as shit but got the job done.

 

[JR1200W3]

For me right now it’s Redding. I’ve had 3 out of spec dies right out of the box. Lee load all was the press I started on. Rickety as shit but got the job done.

Redding has been classically on the upper end for a couple decades. Barring a few bad samples, over the long term, they have been considered premium prior to exotic, boutique manufacturers becoming more popular over the last 6 years.

I would say Lee is the HF if you're trying to use that analogy but I don't think that even fits because Lee has been an American company for a long time. Cheaper, but not imported Pakistani and Chinese stuff.

People on this thread are talking about Whidden, Forester, Redding. I don't think they're HF level and thus why someone should pay $600 for a sizing die. I don't think the "alacantra leather" extra features are significant on a sizing die. What's the deal? You can buy separate inserts and use one die for multiple cartridges? That's not a good thing for me. I load in Dillons and don't want to swap a.die body from tool head to tool head. I want a dedicated die for each tool head. So the extra swizzle tip fancy fuck it features that ostensibly justify the ridiculous cost isn't even a matter of convenience or advantage to me.

 

[vh20]

For me right now it’s Redding. I’ve had 3 out of spec dies right out of the box. Lee load all was the press I started on. Rickety as shit but got the job done.

I'm curious as to what out-of-spec problems (specifically) you've had? I ask because I have one that is apparently not sizing the base enough. Thanks

 

[LR1845]

I'm curious as to what out-of-spec problems (specifically) you've had? I ask because I have one that is apparently not sizing the base enough. Thanks

I have had this exact problem with a few different dies, I stopped using Redding dies because of this, also when sizing brass they had a grinding like feeling for sake of a better word, and I mean bad not just a little, both 300WM and 260 Remington I was shooting at the time.

Whidden, while I liked how smooth they are I had 3 custom BRX dies made because 2 of my buddies and I were shooting BRX at the time and we were getting clickers and had to small base size every time with Whiddens off the shelf dies. Of these 3 custom dies only 1 worked well the other 2 where just about the same as the off the shelf dies we had, I got in a argument with the die maker there and that was the end of Whidden for me.

I have a SAC BRA die sitting on my bench right now that I have to bump shoulders back .005 in order for the brass chamber smoothly, and yes same issue with or without the shims.

Just sold an Eric Cortina BRA die as it would not bump the shoulder back enough unless I had a lot of cam over, I, like @JR1200W3, load on a Dillon, I load on a 750 and to much cam over over a period of time will crack the cast aluminum platform, or base, that the shell plate rides on.

I bought my grandson a tikka 6.5CM and bought a set of Lee dies, cheep HF dies like some refer to here but they worked great for his rifle and he is still using them.

As I stated earlier in this thread I prefer Forster FL and seating dies, they are smooth, they seem to size the base better then any other dies I've used, they are reasonably priced, I can order custom ground neck sizes and I've just never had an issue with a Forster die, I am not saying they are perfect and I am sure others may have had issues with them but I have not.

LE Wilson dies are also nice I just do not care for bushing dies.

 

[codym]

I'm curious as to what out-of-spec problems (specifically) you've had? I ask because I have one that is apparently not sizing the base enough. Thanks

The 300 prc wouldn’t size the base at all. Brass would stick in the chamber on the first loading. Got a whidden die and it fixed the issue. Both ackley dies need 14 thou ground off the bottom of the die to size at all, no shoulder bump, bushing wasn’t even reaching the neck. I had a 4th die in 7 saum that wasn’t out of spec but badly finished and was leaving scratches on the body of the brass. I smoothed it out with steel wool but was a factory new die.

 

[diggler1833]

My last RCBS full length sizing die (6CM) you'd swear was a small base AR die from the extra .0015 it sizes the case body down. Holy crap was it a struggle to size 50 pieces of brass. I switched to a competition Redding set and the wrestling match went away (where I found the .0015 difference). Unfortunately I have a box of brass that I have to process and load separately now from the others.

I've had good luck with Redding (so far). And I've had good luck with Forester - minus the overly sharp edges on a the seater stem in my 6.5x47 die. That was something that I could fix though.

I'm even 1 for 1 on getting lucky with a standard set of Hornady dies in 6GT.

 

[tho98027]

+1 for Forster dies.

Not sure why Redding gets so much praise. I compare them to HF quality. I’d buy Lee dies any day over Redding.

FYI, any lapua sized cases would be better off with 1-1/4” dies to minimize/prevent clickers.

 

[jthor]

I’ve transitioned all my sizing dies over to SAC for a bit now from Redding on anything I shoot a lot of. They are really nice and I like the neck shoulder bushings a lot more than the standard neck bushings. I also like being able to use an expander mandrel in the die vs doing a separate mandrel op.
Now, specifically with my 6 Dasher die I use the shim feature a long with Area 419s shell holder a lot between sizing brass for my rifle and the wife’s for shoulder bumps.

No experience with 419s sizing die and I have no intention on using them. Another die could be Cortina’s sizer; no experience with them, but I’ve heard great things.

My first SAC sizing die was free and going back on memory from 2 years ago I remember the SAC sizing was smoother than the Redding I was using at the time.

I’ve gotten good results with Hornady, RCBS, Forster, Redding and SAC. The SAC just has better overall quality and features which is why I’ve switched to it for cartridges I shoot a lot of.

If the quality and features entice you, get the higher end die, if not then don’t.

While not completely on topic, but mentioned in this post SACs seating dies imo are completely worth every penny. I personally use their APS Infinity Arbor Press seating die. As mentioned they are modular and I use the same seating die for: 223, 6 dasher, 243 win, 25x47, 270 win, 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, 7RM, 7 PRC, 30-06, 300 WM, and 300 PRC. So I’ve sold most of my seating dies I used to own and haven’t had any issues with rings on bullets from seating like have had with other seating dies. Not even breaking tar seals on 118LR.