Match quality die set for .308, .223, .243 ?

Competition/Match grade die set....

  • REDDING TYPE S MATCH BUSHING NECK DIE SET

    Votes: 22 44.0%

  • RCBS COMPETITION FULL LENGTH DIE SET + NECK DIE

    Votes: 5 10.0%

  • FORSTER FULL LENGTH DIE & ULTRA MICROMETER SEATER SET

    Votes: 7 14.0%

  • LEE COLLET 2 DIE SET W/ SHELLHOLDER + F/L DIE

    Votes: 11 22.0%

  • Hornady Match Grade Bushing Neck Sizer Die + F/L DIE

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Other....

    Votes: 5 10.0%
  • Total voters
    50
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Help out guys, I'd like to buy one of the best dies now, than buy so-so now and better later,

just picked up my RCBS Master loading kit (single-stage) :D:D:D

so for those that do a lot of competition and matches, can you please recommend which die set should I buy

I'm leaning towards the REDDING TYPE S MATCH BUSHING NECK DIE SET $127 :cool:
 
I have the Redding S type for full length sizing and also have Redding neck sizing dies for cases fired from the same rifle. Redding Competition seater for sure.
You can get away with a necksize only die, but I would suggest a Redding body size die for each caliber.
 
CyaN1de said:
Redding, Redding, Redding and Redding....in that order.


Oh....did I mention Redding? A close runner up to the list above :D
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Someone is puffing a lil too much "Redding" :D:D:D

So shhould I get the Type S set with Type S Seater , F/L Die and neck die??

or Should I get them separate?

Type S resize F/L, Competition seater, Type S neck???
 
I bought the 3 die Competition Bushing Neck Die Set:

Bushing Neck Sizing Die
Bullet Seater
Body Die (for bumping the shoulder back when needed)

Got mine at DnRsports in the US....don't forget to order your bushing/s at the same time.

EDIT: Woooops...I missed the $130 budget part.....hmmmmm sorry...but hey....whats $20?

COMPETITION BUSHING NECK DIE SET 308 WIN
CATEGORY I
Price: $150.15
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CyaN1de said:
I bought the 3 die Competition Bushing Neck Die Set:

Bushing Neck Sizing Die
Bullet Seater
Body Die (for bumping the shoulder back when needed)

Got mine at DnRsports in the US....don't forget to order your bushing/s at the same time.

EDIT: Woooops...I missed the $130 budget part.....hmmmmm sorry...but hey....whats $20?
Click to expand...

LoL true, I guess if you look at it that way :D
 
If you are loading for Competition (which I assume you are) then I would get the Competition Die set, the Micrometer adjustment is far superior to the "unlock, turn, lock, test, unlock, turn, lock, test" of the non micrometer S series.
The Micrometer is not 100% accurate but once you get the hang of them you can seat within .001-.002. and readjust on the fly if need be in fractions of seconds.

COMPETITION BUSHING NECK DIE SET 308 WIN - Price: $150.15
COMPETITION BUSHING NECK DIE SET 223 REM - Price: $150.15
COMPETITION BUSHING NECK DIE SET 243 WIN - Price: $150.15

Quite a bit more than you were wanting to spend.

The S-Series can be a great set for the calibers you don't plan on competing with (or mind the guess work involved in seating depth). Then again, if your not going to compete then RCBS or Lee dies are perfectly fine. (This is where Mysticplayer chimes in about loading his competition rounds with Lee dies :D)
 
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I would go with a forster bushing bump die, and the ultramicrometer reloading die, if you want a FL sizer for brass fired elswhere you can get a cheaper one from Lee that will stil do the job, and then go with the bushing die for brass fired in the same rifle you are loading for
 
dan belisle said:
I use a combination of various tools and dies from various manufacturers, based on past experience. Some tools are better at certain things, and I don't find any one maker has all the bases covered. FWIW - dan
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I agree with you on some companies being better at certain things, I would buy the die separate, just seems that I could save a bit if I buy a set :)

the .243 I'd like for some long distance paper-punching

Mysticplayer uses Lee for competition??? :eek:, wow the collet dies?
 
I read an article years ago that compared the accuracy of reloading dies. Their conclusion was that the dies had a minimal effect on accuracy. It's really up to the end-user and steps taken. That said, you should look for features you'll appreciate and enjoy. This way, you'll make the most accurate loads you can...:D

I have used many different sets and they all have their merits - some are better or easier to use than others.

The Redding bushing dies are great - you can easily control neck tension with them. A micrometer top can be good but the screw/nut arrangement on standard RCBS dies works too. This has not affected accuracy for me...

I really like the Forster 'Bench Rest Seater Die' - without a micrometer. It's adjustable with your fingers and is quick and easy to adjust. If you want to spend the Extra $20, it is available with a micrometer top. The one I'm using was US$36.20 from Sinclair. An awesome die for a reasonable price.

You'll need a FL resizing die no matter what. If you neck size, that's fine but I like to FL resize before the first firing - then you can neck size for use in the same rifle. Some Bench Rest shooters are using nothing but FL resizing dies - all the time. I still neck size on occasion depending what I want to do...

Good luck - SD
 
superd222 said:
I read an article years ago that compared the accuracy of reloading dies. Their conclusion was that the dies had a minimal effect on accuracy. It's really up to the end-user and steps taken. That said, you should look for features you'll appreciate and enjoy. This way, you'll make the most accurate loads you can...:D

I have used many different sets and they all have their merits - some are better or easier to use than others.

The Redding bushing dies are great - you can easily control neck tension with them. A micrometer top can be good but the screw/nut arrangement on standard RCBS dies works too. This has not affected accuracy for me...

I really like the Forster 'Bench Rest Seater Die' - without a micrometer. It's adjustable with your fingers and is quick and easy to adjust. If you want to spend the Extra $20, it is available with a micrometer top. The one I'm using was US$36.20 from Sinclair. An awesome die for a reasonable price.

You'll need a FL resizing die no matter what. If you neck size, that's fine but I like to FL resize before the first firing - then you can neck size for use in the same rifle. Some Bench Rest shooters are using nothing but FL resizing dies - all the time. I still neck size on occasion depending what I want to do...

Good luck - SD
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Great info thanx

I have found few more articles online, most BR shooters said that Redding and Forster seaters both with micrometer are the same in quality ammo production

What I also found is that L.E. Wilson Stainless steel seater with micrometer is always praised at 6mmbr and other "tactical" sites :slap: and retails for $75US or so

I'll be ordering dies on the weekend after carefull consideration of all the facts provided

for now .308: (all with micrometers, I'm a noob it'll help with recording the settings)
Redding Competition/Forster Match/Wilson - seater
Redding Type S/Forster Match - F/L
Redding Competition Neck/Forster Neck bushing

I'm getting more Lapua brass and will compare it to Norma brass with 155gr Lapua Scenars at 200yards, will be using Varget with CCI BR2 primers

.243 dies will be either RCBS, Lee, Forster


ps. if anyone in the area want to trade off some of his reloading experience for Beer and Food, pm me for April weekend :wave:
 
If you go with the redding dies, You may want to go with the Titanium Nitride bushing so you won't need to lube the cases.Also decide on what make of brass you will be using have found some have different neck thickness.And that determines what bushing you will need
 
If you go with the redding dies, You may want to go with the Titanium Nitride bushing so you won't need to lube the cases.
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The TiN neck bushing does NOT remove the requirement for case lubing. The case is still being full length sized and a lack of lube will definately result in a stuck case. This statement does not hold for a neck size only die.
 
ZIGZAG said:
If you go with the redding dies, You may want to go with the Titanium Nitride bushing so you won't need to lube the cases.Also decide on what make of brass you will be using have found some have different neck thickness.And that determines what bushing you will need
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I'll check the prices

will post my shopping list in few days :D
 
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