Redding Dies

salon_1928

salon_1928

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Hi Everyone,

I've been reloading for a few year now have used RCBS dies almost exclusively. I just bought a 300 Savage and I'm getting ready to buy a set of dies for it and the question I've had previously has come up again: what's the deal with Redding dies? They're usually more expensive than the equivalent RCBS dies and I naturally equate more expensive with better. Is that the case? Redding proponents and detractors want to chime in? I've been happy with my RCBS dies but maybe I don't know what I'm missing?

Thanks
 
I like the adjustments of the Redding stems. Not having to have a wrench handy to loosen or tighten is nice. Redding has more add-on goodies readily available like carbide expander buttons and micrometer seating stems. Their deluxe die set with the neck die is a nice one too
 
I've got a lot of both and prefer the Redding. They tend to be better finished inside and out. You'll notice the smoother finish when bringing the case out of the die. I've also got a distinct impression that on average I've been getting straighter cases with the Redding on what we could call ordinary dies. It isn't a strong preference though, and if its just another boring stinking zero to 500 yard hunting rifle I will probably grab whichever of the 2 are available locally. If they have both I'll take the Redding, and if I have to order them I'll take the Redding.

On match dies I'm taking the S series and Competition seater over the RCBS Gold metal every time. Heck, I'll take the standard RCBS dies over the Gold metal.
 
todbartell said:
I like the adjustments of the Redding stems. Not having to have a wrench handy to loosen or tighten is nice. Redding has more add-on goodies readily available like carbide expander buttons and micrometer seating stems. Their deluxe die set with the neck die is a nice one too
Click to expand...

I have about 70 sets of dies. The majority in the past have been RCBS. But lately, as I have needed new dies, I have
been buying Redding for the above quoted reasons. I also have a few Bonanza/Forster BR sets. Dave.
 
The RCBS seaters are terrible. I don't mind their FL dies and NS dies.
I have a bunch of Redding and Forster, I'd put Forster slightly ahead of Redding due to the better expander design, but they are my top 2 preferred die sets. Forster seating die is excellent.
 
Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm going to try them out on this purchase. Question regarding the carbide expanders: that a separate item or do they come with some sets?
 
The Redding Premium die set has the carbide button installed, and has a micrometer seating die. Otherwise you can just buy them separately

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My brother and I always used to run RCBS for the favt that they were cheaper. However, what we found is that the standard RCBS dies tend to over work the brass, especially on the necks. The RCBS tend to over shrink the brass on the upward stroke and then when expanding on the downward stroke, so for brass you tend to load a lot, we found less firings out of the RCBS sized brass vs the Redding. Currently we have replaced almost all of our RCBS sets with the "Redding Deluxe Die" sets. FL size brass the first time, then neck size until you need to FL size again. Anneal if you have the ability to, if not, thats ok as well. But if its a caliber you'll be shooting more often then not, Redding all the way!
 
Between RCBS and Redding - it’s an rasy choice - Redding are way better in fit and finish. There is also more options in their dies set.
Myself. I use first Widden dies and then Redding. I own at least one set of every brand. Been reloading for the last 40 years..so I have seen evolution of finished products in every brand..but in my book - Redding are better than most large scale company even today.
 
After poking around a bit it looks like Redding doesn't make a premium set of 300 Savage dies. They do however make a deluxe 3-die set that adds a neck sizing die. My wife's heading to Phoenix in a week and I think I'll get her to bring me back that set. So, my question: can I upgrade these with a carbide expander button and micrometer adjustment on the seating die, and if so, how exactly do I go about doing that?

Edit: Ha - I figured it out...thanks again everyone.
 
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Epilogue: I get it now. The quality of these dies is really top-notch. I brought the deluxe set back from the States and I upgraded them with carbide buttons and micrometer seaters (standard and VLD) from Prophet River which I picked up at the Calgary gun show last week. I cleaned them up and reloaded some 300 Savage this morning. Those seaters are just awesome. Now that I've used them I don't want to use anything else. A big bonus is that I can use them when I load 7.5 X 55 Swiss. Totally satisfying purchase - thanks everyone!
 
Have to agree that Redding is the best quality die for the price...They are butter smooth to adjust and size with...They function way higher then their price level.
 
I use several different die brands. I especially like the Redding body die in conjunction with the Lee collet neck die.

Don't over look Lee dies, while not as expensive and have fewer options as opposed to Redding they make straight ammo.

The bonus is you can get the full length sizer, bullet seater, collet die and factory crimp die for the price of a Redding 2 die set most of the time.

The last set produces </= 0.001" runout on the loaded round.
 
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