Redding type S dies vs Deluxe die set

[canoetrpr]

Just when I thought I understood it ... Can anyone explain to me what the difference is between the Deluxe die set from redding and the type S dies?

They also seem to have two different type S sets - Neck and FL - but each type S set comes with three dies already.

I think I understand the deluxe: It comes with a neck sizing, FL sizing and a seating die.

 

[kombayotch]

You can get various sets of FL, neck, etc... with either Type-S or Deluxe.

The difference is that S-Type uses bushings that let you change the neck tension by changing the bushing. Deluxe are just regular dies.

The gold colored thing is the bushing:

 

[Longshot]

Any dealers sell them on here?

 

[canoetrpr]

I guess my next question is - why would I want to change the neck tension? Sounds like it does not have anything to do with whether or not I require lubing my cases or not before resizing - correct?

 

[dan belisle]

Allows you to custom tailor the neck tension to your bullets and chamber size. - dan

 

[Cleftwynd]

Imagine you have Brass made by company X, with a very thin wall, and brass made by Z with a very thick wall. When you run them through a standard sizing die, they both have the same exterior size, but the inside diameter would be much smaller with brand Z, requiring it to be stretched both in and out (with the expander button) a lot more than the thin wall. The neck sizing bushings allow you to adjust that for your brass, extending brass life, and making bullet tension more uniform. If you have very uniform brass to start with, or turn the necks, it also will allow you to eliminate the expander button. Which means less stress on your brass, and much more concentric bullet seating as an expander button does not always keep the neck true.

I am not very good at explaining things, better if I could show you in my shop, but I hope this helps someone understand a few of the benefits to the bushings over standard sizing dies.

 

[MapleSugar]

Do the Type S Dies still require you to lube the cases?

 

[Cleftwynd]

Yes

 

[kombayotch]

Any dealers sell them on here?

Epps usually has a few sets of the common calibers.

 

[kombayotch]

I guess my next question is - why would I want to change the neck tension? Sounds like it does not have anything to do with whether or not I require lubing my cases or not before resizing - correct?

It's not about lubing. You should always lube the part of a rifle case you're sizing if you want accuracy. This gives you lower run-outs.

Regular dies often put too much neck tension on some brands of brass. They're designed to give proper neck tension on even the thinnest necked brands of brass, so that means they give way too much on brands wit thicker necks. The expander ball on the decapping stem is supposed to remove the neck tension on thicker necked cases, but it usually also creates run-outs. It is also working the brass more. I prefer to remove the expander and rely on the proper bushing. This has worked well for me.

Neck tension can make a noticeable difference in a precision rifle. Will it make a difference in a sporting rifle? Probably not. But, resizing is a lot smoother when you're sizing the right amount vs. over-sizing the neck and then expanding it back up again. I use bushing dies for all of my rifle cases primarily for this reason...