I understand that the best usually costs more and I`m fine with that but why are the Whidden (or indeed any brand) better than the next?
Do they have an extra die that others don't? (how many do I realistically need for 6.5 Creed?)
Are they better quality? (better steel, last longer etc?)
Are they easier to use/setup?
I`m new to reloading and dies are still a bit of a mystery to me. No doubt once I have a set it`ll all make sense but I want to buy good gear straight away (as opposed to buying something I find I don't like or doesn't work correctly) and I have no way of knowing what is good and why so in that respect its kind of a chicken and egg scenario
And at some point, you need to lean on the expertise of the dealer you are getting your stuff from. There are many ways to make great ammo and many more opinions on how to get there.
With no experience, you are trying to filter all these opinions and decide what you think is the "best". Considering you have no idea the experience of those giving advice, you can't filter if that advice was good to begin with. Like many internet centric shooters, there is way more info then you can process.... looking for the most "likes" may not actually get you the best solution.
Now it just sounds like a crowd screaming... "best, best, best".
The process to make precision/match ammo has been defined for years. The steps are well known and available. Shooters just don't always want to do all the work so try and skip steps or skimp on the gear to get the job done right.
There is gear that does any 1 job very well - brands and cost may vary and there may not be any correlation between cost and performance... nor brand. This you only gain from actually using the stuff and testing on target... or depending on those that do.
So at some point, you are going to need to get some gear from someone you trust and start. As you gain experience, you may find better options and better tools... hopefully, not much as that can get pricey in a hurry.
Some things can cost very little.. some stuff will cost alot.... at which point, you need to decide how serious you are about getting good results. Here your budget will help alot.
You can ask a dozen shooters for advice and likely you will get thirteen answers. Without the experience to figure out what is best for you, you are going to have to lean on someone and get your feet wet.
YMMV...
Jerry
