Hey guys I am getting ready to take the plunge and buy the Redding Competition Seater dies for the .223 and .308. I have read a lot about them and it seams there is no other way to go. I have always ran the RCBS standard FL die and RCBS seater in all my calibers before. My question is, do I need the redding Full length sizing die too. I have the RCBS full length sizing dies now and was wondering if the redding FL dies would be a more consistant sizer die as well. Also are the Redding comp. seater dies really worth the extra money? Thanks for the help.
-
Having trouble using the site?
Contact support
Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
- Thread starter drakeky
- Start date
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
I really like the micrometer adjustments. Its nice to vary seating depths when working up a load. If your groups start to open up and you remeasure the throat, its easy to adjust for it. I'd be interested in trying the Forster micro seater.
I really like the micrometer adjustments. Its nice to vary seating depths when working up a load. If your groups start to open up and you remeasure the throat, its easy to adjust for it. I'd be interested in trying the Forster micro seater.
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
I think the fact that the redding die still has a neck bushing setup is more than worth it to get the redding dies.
I've always been told that the ability to control neck tension is priceles
I think the fact that the redding die still has a neck bushing setup is more than worth it to get the redding dies.
I've always been told that the ability to control neck tension is priceles
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
The differences between the Redding Competition Seater and the Forster Ultra Micrometer Seater is mostly cosmetic, namely that the markings are easier to read on the Redding. The Redding costs twice as much as a Forster though.
The differences between the Redding Competition Seater and the Forster Ultra Micrometer Seater is mostly cosmetic, namely that the markings are easier to read on the Redding. The Redding costs twice as much as a Forster though.
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
I love the Redding Comp seater dies. I think they are great. But I personally prefer the Redding "S" full length, bushing sizing dies. But if you are going to stay with a standard sizing die, (not bushing) just stay with what you have now.
Consistancy is in the preparation and pull of the handle. What's made in the die is always going to be there. Whether it's good or bad.
In my opinion of quality of dies I would put them this way:
Redding
Hornady
Forster
RCBS
I love the Redding Comp seater dies. I think they are great. But I personally prefer the Redding "S" full length, bushing sizing dies. But if you are going to stay with a standard sizing die, (not bushing) just stay with what you have now.
Consistancy is in the preparation and pull of the handle. What's made in the die is always going to be there. Whether it's good or bad.
In my opinion of quality of dies I would put them this way:
Redding
Hornady
Forster
RCBS
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
sometimes it depends on the type of rifle, bolt or semi. I have a few 308 bolt guns, the brass dedicated to each rifle. All I use is a body die and a neck sizer die (and the comp seater all redding). I have never full length sized my cases as I feel it works the brass too much (unless your using a gas gun you should fl size for feeding). I always give sinclair international a call as the tech guys there are pretty good
sometimes it depends on the type of rifle, bolt or semi. I have a few 308 bolt guns, the brass dedicated to each rifle. All I use is a body die and a neck sizer die (and the comp seater all redding). I have never full length sized my cases as I feel it works the brass too much (unless your using a gas gun you should fl size for feeding). I always give sinclair international a call as the tech guys there are pretty good
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sniperdude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">sometimes it depends on the type of rifle, bolt or semi. I have a few 308 bolt guns, the brass dedicated to each rifle. All I use is a body die and a neck sizer die (and the comp seater all redding). I have never full length sized my cases as I feel it works the brass too much (unless your using a gas gun you should fl size for feeding). I always give sinclair international a call as the tech guys there are pretty good </div></div>
I do most of my reloading for AR type rifles. I have two AR-15's in .204 and 4 different ones in .223. I also have a AR-10 in .308 too. So I am mostly talking about FL sizing the cases. I won't neck size for the AR's..
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sniperdude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">sometimes it depends on the type of rifle, bolt or semi. I have a few 308 bolt guns, the brass dedicated to each rifle. All I use is a body die and a neck sizer die (and the comp seater all redding). I have never full length sized my cases as I feel it works the brass too much (unless your using a gas gun you should fl size for feeding). I always give sinclair international a call as the tech guys there are pretty good </div></div>
I do most of my reloading for AR type rifles. I have two AR-15's in .204 and 4 different ones in .223. I also have a AR-10 in .308 too. So I am mostly talking about FL sizing the cases. I won't neck size for the AR's..
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sniperdude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">sometimes it depends on the type of rifle, bolt or semi. I have a few 308 bolt guns, the brass dedicated to each rifle. All I use is a body die and a neck sizer die (and the comp seater all redding). I have never full length sized my cases as I feel it works the brass too much (unless your using a gas gun you should fl size for feeding). I always give sinclair international a call as the tech guys there are pretty good </div></div>
Yes good advice.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sniperdude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">sometimes it depends on the type of rifle, bolt or semi. I have a few 308 bolt guns, the brass dedicated to each rifle. All I use is a body die and a neck sizer die (and the comp seater all redding). I have never full length sized my cases as I feel it works the brass too much (unless your using a gas gun you should fl size for feeding). I always give sinclair international a call as the tech guys there are pretty good </div></div>
Yes good advice.
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Austan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lee dies didn't make your list Victor? </div></div>
Not to step on toes, and I know I'm going to. But he's talking higher end dies. Lee rifle dies are good for the weekend hunter and starting handloader. But for better quality precision rifle dies, no they don't. The quality just isn't the same. After almost 40 years of working in machine / tool & die shops, the quality of a machined item is important to me. While some of Lee's hand tools and accessories are good tools. Their presses and dies don't do anything for me.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Austan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lee dies didn't make your list Victor? </div></div>
Not to step on toes, and I know I'm going to. But he's talking higher end dies. Lee rifle dies are good for the weekend hunter and starting handloader. But for better quality precision rifle dies, no they don't. The quality just isn't the same. After almost 40 years of working in machine / tool & die shops, the quality of a machined item is important to me. While some of Lee's hand tools and accessories are good tools. Their presses and dies don't do anything for me.
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
I was just giving you grief (or trying to). I use them for hunting rifles. Oddly I go from one end of the spectrum to the other. My match dies are Redding comp sets and my hunting dies are Lees. I think if the rifle warrants spending more than bottom dollar, it gets the best not half way in between.
I was just giving you grief (or trying to). I use them for hunting rifles. Oddly I go from one end of the spectrum to the other. My match dies are Redding comp sets and my hunting dies are Lees. I think if the rifle warrants spending more than bottom dollar, it gets the best not half way in between.
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I perfer a Arbor Press and Wilson seating dies. </div></div>
While I have Wilson straight line dies in a couple of calibers, I find them terribly slow to use. I only use them in the BR rifles. And then I'm only using the seater dies. I went to using full length sizing dies and a small RCBS Partner press for sizing several years ago.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I perfer a Arbor Press and Wilson seating dies. </div></div>
While I have Wilson straight line dies in a couple of calibers, I find them terribly slow to use. I only use them in the BR rifles. And then I'm only using the seater dies. I went to using full length sizing dies and a small RCBS Partner press for sizing several years ago.
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: drakeky</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey guys I am getting ready to take the plunge and buy the Redding Competition Seater dies for the .223 and .308. I have read a lot about them and it seams there is no other way to go. I have always ran the RCBS standard FL die and RCBS seater in all my calibers before. My question is, do I need the redding Full length sizing die too. I have the RCBS full length sizing dies now and was wondering if the redding FL dies would be a more consistant sizer die as well. Also are the Redding comp. seater dies really worth the extra money? Thanks for the help. </div></div>
Yes. Worth every penny. Redding all the way, FL sizer as well as the Competition Seating Die. A full length die will not work your brass excessively if you 1) have it set properly for your rifle and 2) your rifle has a good, not oversize or eccentric, chambering job. I have 300WM brass I have reloaded in excess of 15 times shooting 240 SMKs and they're still shooting great.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: drakeky</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey guys I am getting ready to take the plunge and buy the Redding Competition Seater dies for the .223 and .308. I have read a lot about them and it seams there is no other way to go. I have always ran the RCBS standard FL die and RCBS seater in all my calibers before. My question is, do I need the redding Full length sizing die too. I have the RCBS full length sizing dies now and was wondering if the redding FL dies would be a more consistant sizer die as well. Also are the Redding comp. seater dies really worth the extra money? Thanks for the help. </div></div>
Yes. Worth every penny. Redding all the way, FL sizer as well as the Competition Seating Die. A full length die will not work your brass excessively if you 1) have it set properly for your rifle and 2) your rifle has a good, not oversize or eccentric, chambering job. I have 300WM brass I have reloaded in excess of 15 times shooting 240 SMKs and they're still shooting great.
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
in short YES especially when loading say 168 gr seirras then 175's sierras easily mainyain the same jump for your rifle by adjusting the micrometer
in short YES especially when loading say 168 gr seirras then 175's sierras easily mainyain the same jump for your rifle by adjusting the micrometer
Re: Redding Competition Seater Dies... Worth it???
Is a competition bullet seating die "worth it"? Absolutely, in my opinion.
The micrometer head makes it very easy to run bullet seating experiments with a high degree of precision. Imaging running a bullet seating experiment witout one, making 0.005" adjustments ot the bullet seater on your tyical die. Doable--sure, with care and a bit of exasperation. With the micrometer head--brain dead easy.
Is a competition bullet seating die "worth it"? Absolutely, in my opinion.
The micrometer head makes it very easy to run bullet seating experiments with a high degree of precision. Imaging running a bullet seating experiment witout one, making 0.005" adjustments ot the bullet seater on your tyical die. Doable--sure, with care and a bit of exasperation. With the micrometer head--brain dead easy.
Similar threads
Reloading Equipment
Dies and dies
