Can you guys please help me with die selection? .204

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pickeringchris

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Some quick background. Never reloaded in my life. Watched many YouTube videos though. Lol. I have a tikka varmint that is easily capable of 1" groups. I want to reload for better bullet selection, accuracy and to shoot more for the same cost.

I am not gonna cheap out on reloading equipment. Everything is figured out but the dies. I'm leaning towards redding based on reviews. I like the competition seater. As for resizing dies I'm lost. Redding offers match type s and competition along with regular dies. Both match type s and comp dies use a precision bushing but I don't know what is different about them. Are these dies I mention a waste of money for a hack target shooter and wannabe hunter? Any advise is greatly appreciated.
 
+1 for regular getting just a regular RCBS, Full-length die set. It comes with both the seating die and sizing die. I have a set for 5 different calibers, and they have always worked beautifully.
 
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I only have one rifle in this caliber so I have read that it is better just to neck size..... Foster sounds good!!! I just ordered a coax press. Very little info on them as far as reviews..... Also, not too many favorable reviews on RCBS.. Ammosmith on Youtube says the redding it head and tails above... Just one guys opinion but I have seen other similar reviews.
 
I load everything with Lee dies, either FL or Collet Neck Sizer depending on the application.

I did however use and fall in love with an RCBS Competition seating die with the micrometer head; SO much easier for dialling in seating depths.
 
I have a Bonanza Co-Ax (pre-Forster) and bought Forster dies right from the get go. Buying dies or a press is like buying a car or truck, everybody has their opinions and recommendations. IMO, your setup will have the potential to turn some deadly accurate ammo!
 
You are correct.....Redding dies all the way. Get yourself the Redding Deluxe 3 die set (FUll length sizing die, neck sizing die & seating die) and all will be good.

RCBS dies are OK. Avoid Lee dies.
 
My personal preference for currently available 7/8-14 dies is Redding, Forster, RCBS, in that order. I own dies from almost every maker that existed.
 
"...match type s and competition..." Any die sets other than regular dies are a marketing thing. Look into one of the Beginner's kits. Partial to RCBS or Redding myself, but any kit will do. The kits give you everything you need sans dies and shell holder. Buy a Lyman manual too. The kits do come with a manaul(Speer I think.), but the Lyman book is far more versatile. More loads using more powders and bullet weights than any bullet or powder makers book.
 
There are lots of reviews to suggest that there is in fact a difference between a $50 set and a $200 set. I don't think it's just marketing. My question would be, does the $200 set produce ammo that a regular guy like me could see an obvious accuracy advantage? I'm not entirely convinced but still want to buy the best possible tools.
So Lyman makes the best book?
 
sunray said:
"...match type s and competition..." Any die sets other than regular dies are a marketing thing. Look into one of the Beginner's kits. Partial to RCBS or Redding myself, but any kit will do. The kits give you everything you need sans dies and shell holder. Buy a Lyman manual too. The kits do come with a manaul(Speer I think.), but the Lyman book is far more versatile. More loads using more powders and bullet weights than any bullet or powder makers book.
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Agree with this, mostly. I haven't made measurably better or different ammo by using different branded dies (and have tried a fair few brands here and there since I started). I'm a fan of Lee for that reason. Some of their stuff is cheaply made, but Lee's cast presses, all their dies, their case trimmers and reloading manual are excellent. The manual is simply a compilation of powder manufacturer's data, and has a lot of comparative data indeed.
 
Now that he knows what he is getting, I have acouple questions about Redding dies :)

I was just wondering if the Redding seating die seats the bullets better in the case than RCBS dies, because sometimes my RCBS dies dont and I would like to keep em straight as possible. Like after you seat it you roll it to see how straight it is.

Also with the RCBS dies you have to lube the inside for the casing all the time before sizing so that the Expander Decapping Rod (I think thats what its called) dont stick. I was looking at (I think it was) Lyman had one where you didnt have to lube the inside of the casings. Do you have to lube the inside of the casing with the Redding dies? thx
 
titch-- said:
Now that he knows what he is getting, I have acouple questions about Redding dies :)

I was just wondering if the Redding seating die seats the bullets better in the case than RCBS dies, because sometimes my RCBS dies dont and I would like to keep em straight as possible. Like after you seat it you roll it to see how straight it is.

Also with the RCBS dies you have to lube the inside for the casing all the time before sizing so that the Expander Decapping Rod (I think thats what its called) dont stick. I was looking at (I think it was) Lyman had one where you didnt have to lube the inside of the casings. Do you have to lube the inside of the casing with the Redding dies? thx
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With a redding deluxe die set, you only need lube when FL sizing.
 
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You have to lube the inside with almost all dies that use an expander ball, my redding dies that use an expander have a carbide expander and don't require lube. Purchased seperately of course.
 
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