Best dies for precision shooting
- Thread starter Papaclaude
- Start date
Best I don't know. I was getting significant runout with lee deluxe dies. Approximately five thousandths, I switched to using the forster seating die, and the lee neck sizing die and my runout droped to 0-1 thousandths.
You can purchase these from two site sponsors hirsh precision or mystic precision.
You can purchase these from two site sponsors hirsh precision or mystic precision.
X2 on the Redding dies! I have used both their regular and competition seating dies as well as regular and Type S bushing neck dies - all are great... jumping to the competition seating die (includes a micrometer) is a nice perk, but I would not have much use for a Competition (micrometer) bushing neck die.
That being said, the only other dies I have tried are Lee; their seatig dies are ok, but I do not like their collet style neck dies because they work differently than most other dies, lack a set screw on the locking ring, require a little more force to size, and seem to 'scuff up' the necks. Apparently they do work good, but I just don't like them. Lee does make the best crimp die though, if you want a crimp.
No matter what brand you go with, be sure to remove the expander ball and throw it into the garbage - I have wrecked good brass using that stupid expander, and it is a great way to introduce unwanted bullet runout!
That being said, the only other dies I have tried are Lee; their seatig dies are ok, but I do not like their collet style neck dies because they work differently than most other dies, lack a set screw on the locking ring, require a little more force to size, and seem to 'scuff up' the necks. Apparently they do work good, but I just don't like them. Lee does make the best crimp die though, if you want a crimp.
No matter what brand you go with, be sure to remove the expander ball and throw it into the garbage - I have wrecked good brass using that stupid expander, and it is a great way to introduce unwanted bullet runout!
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Mystic Precision
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- Summerland, BC
My die set includes a Lee collet neck sizing die, Redding body die and forster BR seater.
If you like bushing dies, the Forster is a great deal as it includes 3 popular bushing sizes. problem is that they are usually on backorder and take a long time to get back into inventory.
Redding is a standard choice and ubber popular. both their bushing sizers and seaters are very good. Their body sizers are what I recommend and they work superbly.
Most will find trouble in their standard seater either with the seating stem no a good fit to the bullet or just pushing the bullet #### eyed into the necks.
Quite easy to get reloads to around 2 thou runout nowadays.
Jerry
If you like bushing dies, the Forster is a great deal as it includes 3 popular bushing sizes. problem is that they are usually on backorder and take a long time to get back into inventory.
Redding is a standard choice and ubber popular. both their bushing sizers and seaters are very good. Their body sizers are what I recommend and they work superbly.
Most will find trouble in their standard seater either with the seating stem no a good fit to the bullet or just pushing the bullet #### eyed into the necks.
Quite easy to get reloads to around 2 thou runout nowadays.
Jerry
I agree with LloydM 100% (...except i never crimp any rifle cartridge except 30-30) IMHO.
Collet dies do a poor job of regulating neck tension. The Redding type S Match die set has a bushing neck sizing die, a body/bump die, and a micrometer seater. The best of all worlds.
I have to say that I also like using the Forster BR seater die too, but my hands-down favorite is Redding.
Collet dies do a poor job of regulating neck tension. The Redding type S Match die set has a bushing neck sizing die, a body/bump die, and a micrometer seater. The best of all worlds.
I have to say that I also like using the Forster BR seater die too, but my hands-down favorite is Redding.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Not true at all. In fact, a collet die is far more forgiving if using case necks with varying dimensions or irregularities. There are also brass flow issues that a collet die handily takes care of that can actually be increased with a bushing die.
I do not recommend using a bushing die unless neck turning is part of the brass prep and maintenance routine.
Although not an off the shelf part, you can adjust the neck tension on a collet die to anything you want. However, the factory neck tension of 1.5 to 2 thou will work for the vast majority of shooters both competitive and hunting.
As I said, I offer both and have no preference either way. They both work and each has their quirks.
The only real tangible difference is price.
Jerry
I "think" I understand the difference between the bushing die and the collet die. Kind of. The collet uses the fingers and mandrel system, and the other a set bushing.
Does anybody other than Lee make the collet style die?
Does anybody other than Lee make the collet style die?
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Nope, Lee owns the patent and is not going to give it up until it runs out.
Another way to look at their function is the collet system defines the sizing from the inside out. Bushing from the outside in.
They both work....
Jerry
Another way to look at their function is the collet system defines the sizing from the inside out. Bushing from the outside in.
They both work....
Jerry
Ok, as you said you wanted the best die. There would be no better die then the Warner Tool Company (WTC) dies it will
At some point, you have or you will spend the money for a high dollar target rifle. Why feed it ammo from a commercial, off-the-shelf die that may or may not yield optimum results for concentricity and brass life. WTC Dies are made from samples of your fired brass to full length size only .001 to .0015" on the body diameter and just enough on the necks to get 30, 40, or even 50 reloads from your brass (neck annealing required).
Concepts - This is what WTC Dies will give you:
Minimal brass sizing for flawless chambering and maximum case life.
Concentricities of .0005" or better from top to bottom.
Head space adjustment within the die via hardened and ground tool steel retainer rings.
Standard die body will accept die inserts for any caliber from 6mm to 30-06.
Now introducing the Magnum die body that will accept larger cartridges up to 416 Rigby.
2 part die insert construction - one for the body, one for the neck and shoulder.
I am only aware of a few people that use this die and swear by its performance.
I would like but do not have this die i use a Lee collet die for final neck sizing and a Redding Full Length sizing die with bushing for body and initial neck sizing.
Trevor
At some point, you have or you will spend the money for a high dollar target rifle. Why feed it ammo from a commercial, off-the-shelf die that may or may not yield optimum results for concentricity and brass life. WTC Dies are made from samples of your fired brass to full length size only .001 to .0015" on the body diameter and just enough on the necks to get 30, 40, or even 50 reloads from your brass (neck annealing required).
Concepts - This is what WTC Dies will give you:
Minimal brass sizing for flawless chambering and maximum case life.
Concentricities of .0005" or better from top to bottom.
Head space adjustment within the die via hardened and ground tool steel retainer rings.
Standard die body will accept die inserts for any caliber from 6mm to 30-06.
Now introducing the Magnum die body that will accept larger cartridges up to 416 Rigby.
2 part die insert construction - one for the body, one for the neck and shoulder.
I am only aware of a few people that use this die and swear by its performance.
I would like but do not have this die i use a Lee collet die for final neck sizing and a Redding Full Length sizing die with bushing for body and initial neck sizing.
Trevor
Starscream
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
IIRC Hornady and Forster will custom cut dies for you as well if you contact them and send them some fired brass samples.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
If you are using a SAAMI chamber, most quality manf produce dies that are a very good fit. I have even lucked out where a few Lee and RCBS FL sizing dies have been an exact fit to my match chambers.
That is more luck then design.
Can you get wonky out of round dies from a large manf. If it is possible, I have never seen it. Lots wonky in other places but the hole in the die is usually round and straight.
Best way to know how your reloads are going is to run your ammo over a quality runout guage.
I have had 'great' stuff not do what I wanted and some slightly rusty dies from a gunshow table make dead true ammo.
Quality dies gives you a much better chance of getting straight ammo but you still need to check.
Yes, ideally dies made from your chamber reamer (actually smaller) would be best.
Jerry
That is more luck then design.
Can you get wonky out of round dies from a large manf. If it is possible, I have never seen it. Lots wonky in other places but the hole in the die is usually round and straight.
Best way to know how your reloads are going is to run your ammo over a quality runout guage.
I have had 'great' stuff not do what I wanted and some slightly rusty dies from a gunshow table make dead true ammo.
Quality dies gives you a much better chance of getting straight ammo but you still need to check.
Yes, ideally dies made from your chamber reamer (actually smaller) would be best.
Jerry
One caveat here the WTC die does not fit in a standard 7/8 14 threading you would need to remove the 7/8 sleeve from your press to open it up to the 1¼ sizing. The larger die sizing reduces the amount of die deflection when running F/L operation through your press.
The die is a full length die that will resize all aspects of your brass with the min amount need to chamber in your rifle. From the base to the shoulder and the neck and all points in-between.... To my knowledge they do not make a seater die.
1972
The die is an investment and cost approx $300+ but you can get sleeves for other calibers for $100 or so the die body can be used as your base housing.
How long would it take to order, I don't know you could call them for turn around times.
Starscream
I believe the hornady and Forster options are better then the factory generic versions but would not compare to the WTC die. I would have more confidence in Jim Carstensen or a Newlon die if you wanted to do something like that.
Reamers have been used but the problem with using your reamer for your die is that you will get the same external dimensions as your rifle's chamber it would be challenging to have the die size any more then your chamber had; and with the spring back of brass you may not notice any resizing taking place.
The die is a full length die that will resize all aspects of your brass with the min amount need to chamber in your rifle. From the base to the shoulder and the neck and all points in-between.... To my knowledge they do not make a seater die.
1972
The die is an investment and cost approx $300+ but you can get sleeves for other calibers for $100 or so the die body can be used as your base housing.
How long would it take to order, I don't know you could call them for turn around times.
Starscream
I believe the hornady and Forster options are better then the factory generic versions but would not compare to the WTC die. I would have more confidence in Jim Carstensen or a Newlon die if you wanted to do something like that.
Reamers have been used but the problem with using your reamer for your die is that you will get the same external dimensions as your rifle's chamber it would be challenging to have the die size any more then your chamber had; and with the spring back of brass you may not notice any resizing taking place.
