Pick my Redding dies for me

[evilsvt]

I need to order some dies and they're going to be redding, but I need some help picking the right sets.

I need them for the following

.223AI
.223
.308
.300WM

For the .223 and .308 I'm going to be loading for my gas guns as well so should I just buy a set that includes a FL die and a normal seater then buy another set with a neck die and micrometer seater for my bolt guns?

I don't like having to reset stuff and just want to set everything and leave it.

 

[Clark]

Re: Pick my Redding dies for me

The gas guns need FL sizing dies.

I pay Forster $10 to hone out the neck of the FL dies.
I don't know how much Redding charges, but it makes for better accuracy and longer neck life.

The sliding sleeve seater die from Redding or Forster are expensive, and add a little more accuracy, but not nearly as important as not pulling an expander ball through a case neck.

For the bolt guns:
Partial neck sizing with a FL die generally works well for me.
My Redding .223 FL "S" die with .245" bushing is not as good as my honed neck Forster 223 FL die.
Neither are as good as my Lee 223 Collet die.
And the Lee is cheaper.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Pick my Redding dies for me

"I don't like having to reset stuff and just want to set everything and leave it."

If you want that you really may not like reloading at all.

 

[evilsvt]

Re: Pick my Redding dies for me

I'm asian, I can't help but be effecient. I just want to make sure that once I get a good load I don't want to have to move stuff.

but i appreciate your insight but still doesn't answer my questions.

 

[mdmp5]

Re: Pick my Redding dies for me

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evilsvt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I need to order some dies and they're going to be redding, but I need some help picking the right sets.

I need them for the following

.223AI
.223
.308
.300WM

For the .223 and .308 I'm going to be loading for my gas guns as well so should I just buy a set that includes a FL die and a normal seater then buy another set with a neck die and micrometer seater for my bolt guns?

I don't like having to reset stuff and just want to set everything and leave it. </div></div>

I load .308, .223 and .300 Win Mag.

For the .308, I use a Dillon FL sizer die, a Redding neck die and a Redding Competition seater. I shoot .308 out of both gas and bolt guns. I shoot more bolt .308, so I mostly use the neck die. I use the FL die if I will be shooting my M1A or if the shoulder needs to be bumped back to +0.002". In addition, I also use the Redding Instant Indicator and RCBS Precision Mic to check seating and headspace.

For .223, I use a Dillon FL sizer die, Comp seater and the Instant Indicator. I only shoot .223 thru my ARs, so no neck die for me.

For .300 WM, I use a Redding FL sizer die, neck die and Instant Indicator along with the RCBS Precision Mic. Of the rifle loads, I have the least experience with the .300 WM, so I am far from the authority on loading belted magnum rounds.

If I were you, I would just get the comp seater dies, no regular seaters. These dies are excellent, and I assure you that you won't want to use another seater once you have used them. I never used bushing dies bc I am not ready to spend a ton of time working with my brass. I am good with what I have now. If you have the time and the patience, then by all means go with the bushing dies. I don't shoot nearly enough now to warrant using them at this time, but things may change in the future.