Whidden reloading dies

[Trx498r]

So let's just say I'm not happy at all with whidden gunworks and there dies. I bought a set of 260 dies a while back ran a few pieces of brass thru it and they was getting scratched all to sh!t. Call them up they say send it back which I did they fixed the issue. No problem good customer service. Now I order a set of 6mm creedmoor dies run a few pieces thru it and notice the necks look funny donutted up and outta wack. I take the expander ball out and look it over and measure it .252 not .243 which it should be. So I guess I have bad luck 2 sets of $150 dies supposedly the best of the best and both sets having issues. Let's just say it'll be my last set. Switching back to Redding.


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[White Mamba]

My Whidden 260 FL doesn't size , Ive heard issues from others as well

 

[ZiaHunter]

I have two sets of Whidden custom dies and not have had any issues with them and have performed as expected.

 

[diverdon]

Mine seem ok, and are always nice to use.

 

[GIXXER2000]

I got the 2 die non-bushing 6mm CM and didn't like them at all. The sizing die was VERY sensitive as to the amount of case lube, a little to much it would dent the case on the shoulder. I didn't like how the micrometer seating die worked either. Sold them went back to Redding.

 

[Trx498r]

Yea they must have a 5 year old doing the machining down there I'm not impressed at all of the quality or the customer service and for the price you pay. Nah I'll pass gonna get my money back and go back to Redding.


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[PatMiles]

I've had 2 out of spec problems with Whidden dies, they have taken care of both but it is a PIA. The dies never should have left Whidden. Probably won't try them a third time.

 

[morganlamprecht]

like i tell everyone, if you go Whidden, you're gunna have to QC everything yourself cause Whidden aint doin it...ive personally seen a handful of dies a blind man wouldnt have passed thru inspection, and i know buddies who have gotten a bunch of others that were trash...had to send them back for bad machining to mismatched parts...

 

[Milo 2.5]

Whidden 2 yrs ago was a top notch co, I'm sure their growing pains close to a reamer outfit on the west coast. I've had one out of spec sizer, hate their seaters, but still go back.

 

[700smooth]

seems like some calibers are tuff to find too

 

[mrsnorkel99]

Had problem with my whidden die also.
a 223 sizer that a blind man machined. It was killing the brass and the neck look like a aligator was at a all you can eat buffet. Also the spindle was bent. Had to send it back. Seems that they are still having issues with quality control..

 

[Trx498r]

So the first expander ball measured .252 and the new one they sent me measures .238 not .243 how big of a deal will the .005 make? I'm anal about these things especially when your paying this much money for things


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[Horns8491]

I tried Whidden sizing and seating dies for my 6.5x47L and they were shit. All my Redding dies are perfect. Forster dies are good too

 

[RampedRaptor]

I love how until this thread I've never heard anything bad about whidden and it's heavily recommended as a top quality manufacturer.

I've had a couple sets of does from them. 1 set was perfect (to my standard) and the other two had issues. Bad scratches and machining on the FL bushing die and the seater stem broke on the micro seater.

Customer service has been great but like another poster said this stuff should not happen when you are paying triple + the money for a quality die.

I just ordered another set of dies off them even though I told myself not to. I will probably stick to Redding sizer and Forster ultra seater (love that die) for my next reloading needs

 

[flyright]

Just bought a set for 6.5 CM they are excellent dies. I'm not crazy about the Aluminum seater but haven't heard of any issues with it. They're doing a great job and I'd not be afraid to buy them again and may do so for my .308. This is the first time I've heard of problems with them. Oh well, I had to have a Redding set replaced once...

 

[craigos]

I tried Whidden sizing and seating dies for my 6.5x47L and they were shit. All my Redding dies are perfect. Forster dies are good too

Funny, I sold my Reddings and went to Whidden - and i get 0.0005 runout consistently -- redding comp dies was avg 0.002 --- thats 4x - in 260, 6.5CM, 6 Dasher, 308, 6.5x47.

 

[Jmartin2076]

Have Whidden 6.5 full length sizer and seater. Never had a problem with them and they produce very accurate ammo.

 

[FALex]

I'm bumping this bad boy after 8 months because I am on my second Whidden 6.5CM seating die. The first one was scratching the right side of every bullet, just forward of the ogive, where the stem is making contact with the bullets. So I took it back to the shop where I bought it and the owner trades me another one he had in stock so that he could send that one back and I would not be without one. This second one is doing the exact same thing. I am super fucking pissed right now.

I just want my Redding die...I'm beyond irritate with Whidden. I'll get this shit fixed and never again. That's bullshit to have identical problems in two different samples. As another poster stated above, their QC must be NE (non-existent). Horseshit. I'm asking for my money back.

 

[TimK]

I'm unimpressed. My Dasher seating die has caused no end of problems. I replaced it with another brand and all the problems went away. I also bought three of their toolheads for a Dillon 550. The mounting surfaces were so out of flat that the head would rock in the press. I had a local machinist skin them to get them flat, and he had to take an average of 0.017" off the high spots to get them right.