Which competition/ match grade dies do you use?

I like the Forster bushing bump dies, and micrometer seater. Very nice equipment, and reasonably priced compared to some of the dies you can get. Even still, I buy them as rewards for myself. Hey, I deserve nice things too...

Are they any better? Can't say for sure. I do like how the bullet is lined up in the sleeve before it gets seated. Should be more concentric, but I've never measured.
 
I've got the Forster Ultra Micrometer seating die and neck sizing dies and also have a set of cheaper Lee dies, both in 308. I can't say I've seen any more consistent tighter groupings using the Forster dies 'cause I just haven't shot a whole lot since I got them. The few rounds I did shoot grouped pretty much identical to the cheaper Lee dies and I've shot sub 1/2MOA using the Lees. I think folks who shoot custom precision rigs would benefit the most since everything is in tighter tolerances versus an off the shelf, mass produced rifle.
 
Noob question - for someone who is JUST getting into reloading, and looking to purchase their 1st set of dies, would competition/match grade dies be worth the extra $$ - or is that kind of quality wasted on someone who has yet to develop (any) reloading skills?

I have no desire (nor shooting skills) to enter any formal competitions, but REALLY want to be able to kick my shooting buddies a$$es when we shoot groups for coffee - largest group buys after the range session...
 
I use various FL sizer dies and even Lee collet dies for a couple cartridges, but real fussy about seating bullets straight. Found Wilson seater dies a bit easier and much faster to use than threaded press mounted dies and bullet run-out is minimal. Proper case mouth prep is required for whatever seating die is used. I trim case mouths square and chamfer in in a Wilson trimmer. CH-4D makes also makes a trimmer similar to Wilson.
 
Qball-16 said:
Noob question - for someone who is JUST getting into reloading, and looking to purchase their 1st set of dies, would competition/match grade dies be worth the extra $$ - or is that kind of quality wasted on someone who has yet to develop (any) reloading skills?

I have no desire (nor shooting skills) to enter any formal competitions, but REALLY want to be able to kick my shooting buddies a$$es when we shoot groups for coffee - largest group buys after the range session...
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With standard dies you'll get more more bullet runout than comp seater dies. You also get the option of sizing your neck where you want and how much. Standard full length and neck dies is one size fits all and will work the brass harder.
 
Competition/match grade dies are marketing department things. Regular FL die sets work just fine. Makes zero difference what die is used for loading match grade ammo. They do not work the case any more either. How do you think it was done before competition/match grade dies came along.
 
sunray said:
Competition/match grade dies are marketing department things. Regular FL die sets work just fine. Makes zero difference what die is used for loading match grade ammo. They do not work the case any more either. How do you think it was done before competition/match grade dies came along.
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Wow have never heard anything so uneducated, competition dies are set up for tighter tolerances and have less run out then regular dies. You will not usually see the difference in your factory rifles but in full custom competition rifles you will notice the difference in consistency as long as all your other preparation work is consistent
 
sunray said:
Competition/match grade dies are marketing department things. Regular FL die sets work just fine. Makes zero difference what die is used for loading match grade ammo. They do not work the case any more either. How do you think it was done before competition/match grade dies came along.
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Oh, absolutely ! And when you need neuro surgery, don't bother with a specialist, just get your GP to do it at your next check-up.
I'd recommend a lobotomy.
 
I use Lee collet neck die, Redding body, Forster seaters.

Best value to make great ammo.

I also strongly recommend outside neck turning and proper annealing.

If you want to make the most consistent/accurate ammo possible, all the little steps matter.

Jerry
 
redding competition neck sizing die sets with micrometer adjusted sizing and bullet seating dies, body bump dies for when they get sticky. Also use Wilson dies and a custom plate in the chuck of my drill press rather then a arbor press, not very portable and makes for some added fun when you have a brain fart in the middle of a run and actually turn the drill press on.........
 
Qball-16 said:
Noob question - for someone who is JUST getting into reloading, and looking to purchase their 1st set of dies, would competition/match grade dies be worth the extra $$ - or is that kind of quality wasted on someone who has yet to develop (any) reloading skills?

I have no desire (nor shooting skills) to enter any formal competitions, but REALLY want to be able to kick my shooting buddies a$$es when we shoot groups for coffee - largest group buys after the range session...
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IMO for someone just starting, I wouldn't recommend jumping straight into fancy dies. I think starting with a quality two die set and carefully assembling some ammo there's a lot to be learned about the finer points of each step before making decisions about where improvements can be made. Before simply buying what the more experienced guys recommend (body die, LEE collet, micro seater, or bushing dies, etc etc) you need to build a solid process and some insight. Amateur/inexperienced/sloppy technique will likely result in inconsistent/poor ammo regardless of the level of equipment. That said, ammo carefully constructed with quality components using a basic FL die set using a load developed for your rifle should outdo factory ammo any day and win you some free coffee if you do your part.. (shoot first, coffee later for smallest groups..)
 
etoast said:
Which competition/ match grade dies do you use? is it worth switching from standard dies?
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If you're really going to get serious about "Match Dies" you likely shouldn't be using a ram style press. Don't get me wrong. Lots of ram style presses are very accurate but they just can't compare with a set of Wilson Neck Sizing dies with interchangeable neck sizing inserts.

If you're just trying to use your off the shelf rifle as a match rifle for club shoots then the ram press with a good set of dies and a true to axis press will do the job. I went through at least 10 RCBS Rock Chuckers that would throw consistently straight (.0005 run out) loaded cartridges.

Now, if you are getting a custom Match rifle with a custom cut chamber, with an undersize neck diameter and an extremely tight throat you will need to pick up an arbor style press with an accompanying Wilson die set. No matter how good the dies/ram press are, they will not be better than a Wilson set up and an arbor press.

There is way more to it than the dribble I just wrote about.

Depending on the match types you intend to shoot and depending on whether you are serious about winning those matches you will need to do a lot more homework. Go to some of the matches and talk to the other shooters. They are usually a pretty good bunch and love to show off their rigs as well as their systems for winning.

If you know you are serious jump in and get the good stuff right off the bat. It will save you a lot of money in a very short time. Not only that, if you know how to shoot the rifle you have or will have (huge factor) and both you and the rifle are up to snuff the right equipment will put you into the winners circle very quickly instead of always hanging around the edges looking in.
 
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