Whidden dies any good?

[longgunJR]

So I was just about to place an order for a set of Whidden dies but after reading through some older threads/reviews I wanted to check with the members here how things are going before placing an order.
Looks like between 2017 and mid 2018 alot of members of this forum were not satisfied with their dies due to quality control issues, looks like in all cases Whidden gun works stepped up and made it right for almost everyone that posted.

I'd love to hear from those who got their dies recently and do you like them, any info on Whidden getting a handle on their quality control or any related info, I'm new to reloading and would like to minimize the chances of making unnecessary costly mistakes.

Thank you all for your input.

 

[Milo 2.5]

I like Whidden sizing dies, the seater not so much, I run Redding comp seaters. I've had one out of spec die from Whidden, they made it right.
I have to be going on 6yrs + using them, many dies.

 

[6brshooter]

If you get a good set yes, but I know a bunch of guys have had to send them back because or poor internal finish scratching brass.

 

[missed]

I have 4 sets and have not had issues with any of mine. One of my buddies had a problem with one of his sets, but it was quickly taken care of. I'm happy and will continue to buy them. Kinda wish mine were all the click type.

 

[One1Bravo]

I have three sets of their dies. Click to adjust sizers and micrometer seaters. They're awesome. The only issue I've had is with my newest set the seating stem for the 115gr DTAC in my 6XC seater was leaving a deep ring on my bullets. One email and I had a brand new one on my mailbox two days later.

 

[ZEROGUY]

I just received a custom non-bushing sizer, a micrometer seater in .260 Ackley, and custom seater stem for 140 ELD-M's.

The Redding 260 AI dies I bought weren't properly sizing the neck/shoulder area, so I decided get a custom set of dies made to my fireformed brass.

Had the neck ground to produce .0025" neck tension with my lapua brass, while only working the brass minimally. The die set also came with a piece to run in place of an expander ball, in case you don't want to work the neck ID.

I opted for the click adjust sizer, which is not exactly as precise as 1 click = .001", but it's makes it easier to make small incremental adjustments. Also the clicks are't all that well defined, but I would still get the click adjust again.

While it took about a month longer than originally quoted, I am quite happy with the dies, no issues to speak of.

The micrometer seater was money well spent IMHO, adjustments are dead on accurate, and the custom ground seater stem seats the bullets without damage or gouging.

I was frustrated and struggling trying to size brass back down to functional dimensions with my off the shelf Redding dies, probably not Redding's fault, but I was relieved that I was able to secure a set of custom dies.

Fit and finish was perfect, even the box they come with is really nice and they return your brass to you, completely intact. I would not hesitate to buy again, be it a custom die or an off the shelf caliber.

 

[Mxridr]

Happy with my 2 sets.

 

[dbenner1184]

I have three sets of their dies. Click to adjust sizers and micrometer seaters. They're awesome. The only issue I've had is with my newest set the seating stem for the 115gr DTAC in my 6XC seater was leaving a deep ring on my bullets. One email and I had a brand new one on my mailbox two days later.

did you try any other projectiles and have the same issue? I just ordered the whidden 6xc dies as well but plan on running 105 hybrids, just wondering if I may run into a similar issue.

 

[One1Bravo]

did you try any other projectiles and have the same issue? I just ordered the whidden 6xc dies as well but plan on running 105 hybrids, just wondering if I may run into a similar issue.

No only have loaded DTACs so far. I used a stem for the 105 hybrid until I could get the replacement DTAC stem. The new stem works fine.

 

[dbenner1184]

No only have loaded DTACs so far. I used a stem for the 105 hybrid until I could get the replacement DTAC stem. The new stem works fine.

which stem for the 105's were you using?

 

[One1Bravo]

which stem for the 105's were you using?

Not sure what you're asking. I was using the 105 Hybrid stem. If you're asking what length for 6XC you would need 1". If you order your dies directly from Whidden you have the option to choose which stem you want. There is a standard stem and also custom stems for a variety of bullets.

 

[dbenner1184]

Oh gotcha, okay thank you!

 

[MikeMcCasland]

I just picked up a standard FL sizer, micrometer seater, and the adjustable expander ball kit (I'm playing with using expanders again...what's old is new lol).

No problems here, and the machining on the sizing die is second to none in the industry. VERY nice dies. I will say I prefer Forster and Redding micrometer seaters to the Whidden seaters.

 

[Kevins750]

I have one set, they are nice. I do prefer the Forster micro seaters though.

 

[kriller134]

I have a whidden die set and like them a lot. The seating die is pretty spot on for me in terms of adjusting them. It’s also nice that it comes with a shoulder bump comparator.

 

[dbenner1184]

I’ve seen a couple guys here say they like the Forster seating die better.. what are the differences in the forster vs Whidden seating dies?

 

[Cascade Hemi]

I’ve seen a couple guys here say they like the Forster seating die better.. what are the differences in the forster vs Whidden seating dies?

The Whidden seating die is a dressed up copy of the Forster die. Any meaningful performance difference is due to seating stem angles and such. I have both and see almost no difference, I look to Forster first based on price alone.

 

[spife7980]

I look to Forster first based on price alone.

Thats my biggest attraction to forster as well, the price.

 

[Bertoli888]

I have both and the forster is easier(the markings are wider on forster) to adjust for me (my opinion). Whidden dies are quality die and excellent.

 

[kthomas]

I use Whidden for every cartridge I reload for (6BRA, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300NM) and I'm very happy with the quality of the product as well as the results down range.

Some people on SH and Facebook world don't like Whidden, yet the most anal reloaders around (IE benchresters) swear by them.

Whidden is good to go. Love the click adjustable sizing dies. The case gauges they make are slick as well.

 

[John Glidewell]

I have 2 sets now, both rock. Seating is far superior to any others I have used. Run out is consistently less than .001.

 

[flyright]

2 sets here - excellent dies.

 

[ebert]

2 sets about to order a third

 

[longgunJR]

Excellent! thank you all for your input I'll place an order this week.

 

[Robinhood]

Let us know how you get along. I have John's adjustable set in 308 and 260. His seater is one the most accurate seaters I've ever used, although I'm mostly using my arbor press for seating nowadays.

 

[dbenner1184]

received my 6xc set today, will be trying them out over the holiday weekend gotta say they look great!

 

[longgunJR]

received my 6xc set today, will be trying them out over the holiday weekend gotta say they look great!

Awesome, post your thoughts after!

 

[Nitrosteel]

I’ve got a set for my 6.5x47 and am very happy with them. I like them as much as my Redding dies.

 

[Bertoli888]

Whidden dies have very little run out

 

[Cascade Hemi]

Whidden dies have very little run out

The Whidden sizing dies I think are where they really shine. The seaters are about as good as Forster but the sizing dies stand out.

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

I have a whidden seater in 6.5, as well as a forster. I like the steating stem design on the whidden much better, its thicker material where it contacts the ogive, as opposed to the thiner forster. While it hasn't caused me an issue, I did feel like I was asking for trouble when i ground my forster stem so that it wouldn't make 140 ELDMs into coke bottles...

The whidden is also .050" per rotation, and the numbers go opposite the forster, which makes a lot more sense in my head. In use, it is just as accurate as the forster, and I can't tell a difference in ammo accuracy or consistency of seating depth. I will keep the whidden, and sell of my forster and redding micrometer (no sleeve, its not a fair comparison but an OK seater as is).