Dillon verses Redding dies

thefiremeister

thefiremeister

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Nov 7, 2009
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#1
I have a mix of Hornady and RCBS dies for my 223, 3006 and my 40 S&W.

I'm getting ready to start working up some loads for 308 winchester and I'm going to need a set of 308 dies. I didn't really have a problem with the Hornady or RCBS dies in 223 until I started checking for bullet run out and was getting more that I thought I should so I got me a redding competition seater and I love that thing.

I'm looking for some feed back on the 308 set of dies that Dillon sells. They claim that when the seating die is set up the only run out you will have will be the run out thats inherent in the bullet.

Any one have anything good or bad to say about the Dillon 308 dies verses the Redding dies?
 
#2
Re: Dillon verses Redding dies

If you're running a progressive the Dillon carbide dies are the way to go. If you are hand rolling a few at a time, Redding. I love the Redding Comp seaters for minimizing runout. In my opinion the only thing better is a Wilson in line seater. But that brings an arbor press into the picture. I have one. But I think I would stick with the Redding. I only use the arbor press at benchrest matches.
 
#3
Re: Dillon verses Redding dies

I still make my rifle loads up on my Rockchucker. I have a Hornady LNL progressive but I'm not smart enough to make up a load and stick with it. I always have to try some thing different so I'm still making small batches( a Hundred or so ) at a time.

After reading the Dillon propaganda I'd like to try a set out but I don't necessarily believe their claims. How much run out do you get with a Dillon?
 
#4
Re: Dillon verses Redding dies

I'm using my 650 for 45 acp and 223. Since this is mostly steel banging ammo I don't even check the runout on it. But I have a 100 yard target with 30 rounds in a 1 1/4" group except the first 3 shots from a clean barrel. You can see the first 3 shots as clear as day. Then it becomes a ragged hole.

But remember, that was just at 100 yards.

While I am going to start some 308 ammo on the Dillon next spring, they are for a gas gun. The close stuff will still be one at a time on the RockChucker with Redding dies.
 
#5
Re: Dillon verses Redding dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyrolater</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm looking for some feed back on the 308 set of dies that Dillon sells. They claim that when the seating die is set up the only run out you will have will be the run out thats inherent in the bullet.</div></div>

That statement is probably true with all high quality dies, not just Dillon.

okie
 
#6
Re: Dillon verses Redding dies

I hope to get my 223 on the LNL as soon as it warms up some out here. That has been the idea for a while but load development has been kinda slow.

I'm shooting highpower with the 223 right now and was using a VX3 for checking the loads. I would get some really good groups and then get a flyer or 2 some other weird stuff. I had a scope issue that didn't really show up until i moved it back over to my 3006 when I was getting ready to hunting.

So while I was trouble shooting loads I didn't need to I learned theres alot more to reloading rifle ammo than putting powder in a case and topping it off with a bullet.

Now I get kinda anal about my ammo. To much knowledge can be a pain. I'm not into neck turning and all that but I am trying to keep things as concentric as I can with the least amount of effort.
 
#10
Re: Dillon verses Redding dies

I've got a few sets of Dillon pistol dies and one 'out of print' 22-250 die set.

There are pros and cons to all dies and I could go over the 8 or 9 brands that I have. This being said, I don't think I'd go Dillon rifle dies any longer. I don't care for the expander stem they use, even though it's quite robust. Carbide is only necessary if you're really cranking out thousands upon thousands of rounds a month. You still need to lube their carbide rifle dies.

Redding bushing dies give you a lot of flexibility, just one being the removal of their standard expander ball, in lieu of an undersized pin retainer. This keeps the necks from stretching as long as the mouths are concentric to begin with. Then you have the whole bushing thing that helps control neck tension.

I have a 550b, I have their CV-500 tumbler, I have their beam scale, I use their rifle and pistol dies and I'm a Dillon fanboy, but I don't think that I'd choose any more of their rifle dies when Redding makes such a good product.

Chris
 
#11
Re: Dillon verses Redding dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Redding bushing dies give you a lot of flexibility, just one being the removal of their standard expander ball, in lieu of an undersized pin retainer. This keeps the necks from stretching as long as the mouths are concentric to begin with. Then you have the whole bushing thing that helps control neck tension.
</div></div>

I'm assuming your talking about the S or bushing type dies. I wasn't going to go there right away. I was hoping to make up some loads for my gas gun and my new bolt gun. The idea was to get a load worked up that would work well in both rifles and not have to make up a separate load for each gun.

I've been told the bushing dies are not recommended for the gas guns.
 
#12
Re: Dillon verses Redding dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyrolater</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Redding bushing dies give you a lot of flexibility, just one being the removal of their standard expander ball, in lieu of an undersized pin retainer. This keeps the necks from stretching as long as the mouths are concentric to begin with. Then you have the whole bushing thing that helps control neck tension.
</div></div>

I'm assuming your talking about the S or bushing type dies. I wasn't going to go there right away. I was hoping to make up some loads for my gas gun and my new bolt gun. The idea was to get a load worked up that would work well in both rifles and not have to make up a separate load for each gun.

I've been told the bushing dies are not recommended for the gas guns.

</div></div>

As long as you size your brass back down to a minimum, so it chambers in both weapons, you can do it this way. It's probalby not ideal and it'll probably end up being that each rifle likes a different set of components, but it's your time. Chambers are probably different, so you'll err on the side of caution.

Bushing dies put tension on the bullet, by constricting the necks in increments of .001". People like to crimp bullets (a form of neck tension) for gas guns due to the heavier bolt carriers and their inertia stripping off a round.

Also, crimping in of primers and bullets is more a safety feature for the military in the event they have to air-drop their ammo. They don't want stuff backing out. All you have to do is load a dummy round, measure COAL and chamber it once, or even a couple of times and then measure COAL checking for any bullet set back.

My 223 std. neck die puts about .004" of neck tension on the bullet with common brass and I measured set back after 3 chamberings. It was .001". No biggie.


Chris
 
#14
Re: Dillon verses Redding dies

Get Redding Deluxe Die Set, and then get the Carbide Expander Ball. You will churn out excellent ammo in combination with your
Comp. Seater. Die. Better yet some dealers can just sell you the Regular FL Die and Regular Neck Die since you did not need a seater....my favorite...www.gunstop.com
 
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