Best reloading dies

[Fast14riot]

I own and use Lee, RCBS, Hornady, Redding, CH4D. I'm a fan of using Lee Collet neck dies and a body die, some of the RCBS dies I use match my chamber best, I've gone through a couple Redding dies for one chambering trying to find one that wasn't overly long (260 Improved 40°), the Hornady non bushing dies I have actually work quite well for auto loaders as they tend toward the small side.

 

[danny]

I know this is a tuff question. Looking for off the shelf, not custom dies.
How would you rate these dies, from your use? FL and seater dies.

Forster
RCBS
Whidden
Redding, type S and Competition dies

For me:
1) Redding, type S and Competition dies (but I like the Forster Micrometer Seaters better).
2) Forster
3) Whidden: Never used them, don't know anything about them.
#37-1/2) RCBS: Friends don't let friends do RCBS Dies.

You didn't ask about them, but I like Lee and Hornady are not bad.

Danny

 

[Bob3700]

For me:
1) Redding, type S and Competition dies (but I like the Forster Micrometer Seaters better).
2) Forster
3) Whidden: Never used them, don't know anything about them.
#37-1/2 RCBS: Friends don't let friends do RCBS Dies.

You didn't ask about them, but I like Lee and Hornady are not bad.

Danny

Redding Type S FL sizer and Forster Micrometer seater.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Whidden Bushing Sets # 1 in my Book

Redding Comp Sets # 2

RCBS # 2 1/2 never let you down

Foster well they gave me fits ! Sent a die back
They returned it with a T-Shirt and stated In Spec ?
Replaced with a std Redding No Problem?
Made a good weight for a Duck Decoy .

 

[JFrank]

www.harrellsprec.com
www.lewilson.com
Redding
Never tried a Widden, can’t say yeh or neh

 

[gman47564]

Forester competition dies for me.. my second choice would be a redding body die and lee collet die.. I'll pass on the others.. lol

 

[dgeesaman]

I have Lee, Forster, RCBS, Redding, Whidden, and a custom die made by Bob Green.

Bobs die is the nicest not because of special features but because it’s finished very well and perfectly suits the Ppc chamber he put in one of my rifles.

Whiddens are very well made and a good value. They also keep most sizes in stock and have good support for the popular wildcats. I bought the click adjust feature and it’s ok, but since shoulder bump is set by trial and error and locked down, I could easily live without it.

ETA:
I have a Harrells and it’s a great die for the money. If they were available in all calibers I might own all Harrells sizing dies.

The other brands are great if you want the case sized and functional. The micrometer adjustments on the seating dies are very helpful. By all accounts their customer service can be very good. Micrometer adjustments on the neck bushing depth has been mostly pointless. I have not tested their custom departments.

 

[HTSmith]

For about the same cost as off the shelf, you can get a Harrell's sizing die. From the time I mailed my money to die in hand was 7 days. I wish I'd started with one. I also have dies from Forester, Redding, and Lee that work well.

 

[Fuj]

I know this is a tuff question. Looking for off the shelf, not custom dies.
How would you rate these dies, from your use? FL and seater dies.

Forster
RCBS
Whidden
Redding, type S and Competition dies

Not tough for me Ranger....Yinz know I use "Lee" !!
But I'll admit, I do a laying on of the hands for each
chamber/flavor of the day. With that said, and assuming
the average shooter does'nt have the shop equipment
I have.....I'd give the nod to Forster.

 

[ronsatspokane]

I have Forster, RCBS, Redding, Whidden, Lee, Hornady, Harrels and Wilson. All work and I've really only had a few problems over the years. One was with concentricity in a RCBS gold seating die. The folks at RCBS were very responsive and sent me a new stem free of charge to try out. The other was with stripping the adjustment rod on a Hornady. That said, I'm moving to Wilson seating dies for any caliber that matters. Really like the design and it seems that if there are concentricity issues it would be due to the bullet shape rather than the die. Haven't tried their sizing dies but I have one on order.

 

[Highpower-FClass]

My highly 'personal opinion' based list:

1. Redding
2. Whidden and Forster

I use all of the above and don't think you could go wrong with any of them.

Oh, and I really like the Lee collet dies too.

Have not used RCBS dies

 

[INTJ]

They all work well. My preference is:

Whidden
Forster
Redding
RCBS

However, there isn't a huge difference.

 

[rogina]

I have Lee, Forster, RCBS, Redding, Whidden, and a custom die made by Bob Green.

Bobs die is the nicest not because of special features but because it’s finished very well and perfectly suits the Ppc chamber he put in one of my rifles.

Whiddens are very well made and a good value. They also keep most sizes in stock and have good support for the popular wildcats. I bought the click adjust feature and it’s ok, but since shoulder bump is set by trial and error and locked down, I could easily live without it.

ETA:
I have a Harrells and it’s a great die for the money. If they were available in all calibers I might own all Harrells sizing dies.

The other brands are great if you want the case sized and functional. The micrometer adjustments on the seating dies are very helpful. By all accounts their customer service can be very good. Micrometer adjustments on the neck bushing depth has been mostly pointless. I have not tested their custom departments.

I can't believe it took this long for someone to mention Harrells.

 

[Al Lu]

Anyone has any experience with on Neil Jones dies ? Thank you.

 

[searcher]

I have a Harrells and it’s a great die for the money. If they were available in all calibers I might own all Harrells sizing dies.

I'm guessing you weren't interested in a custom die due to either cost or having to wait. These Harrell's bushing sizing dies are made up in advance (if they carry your caliber), and they merely match one made to most closely match the fired case you sent in an envelope. They turn around very fast and the price is no more than a lot of standard factory dies (honestly). For seating dies, I like the RCBS Competition. The Redding Type "S" bushing die next choice. The Harrell's is nice.

 

[dgeesaman]

I'm guessing you weren't interested in a custom die due to either cost or having to wait. These Harrell's bushing sizing dies are made up in advance (if they carry your caliber), and they merely match one made to most closely match the fired case you sent in an envelope. They turn around very fast and the price is no more than a lot of standard factory dies (honestly). For seating dies, I like the RCBS Competition. The Redding Type "S" bushing die next choice. The Harrell's is nice.

There's not much reason to buy a custom bushing die in a caliber that Harrell's already makes. And yes the near-immediate delivery is a major bonus.

 

[searcher]

I know you knew that - I meant to direct that to the original poster. I think those things are great!

 

[moondog]

It seems like off the shelf dies for off the shelf calibers can be found eventually depending on your particular chamber. I use Harrells in BR, 6.5x47, 6BRA. They size the case correctly. I use Wilson Arbor dies to seat. Good as it gets. For Wildcats or not off the shelf chamberings, it's hit or miss with Whidden, 4 times, no bueno! Finally got a Warner. League in it's own, flawless! Haven't tried Neil Jones so can't comment. I called him just yesterday about a caliber that's giving me fits. 4-5 month wait, fair price.
Called Alan Warner this morning, 8 weeks, twice the price but I KNOW it'll be right.

 

[dave@aDave]

Anyone has any experience with on Neil Jones dies ? Thank you.

Yes.
I have a set for my .264 Win mag. They are very nicely crafted.
Don't be in a hurry, he takes the winter off in Florida.
Worth the wait
I sent a box of 20 that had been shot 3 (or 4, I don't remember) before the bolt wouldn't drop closed.
Here is his website: http://www.neiljones.com/
Give him a call, he will spend time with you.
Very nice gentleman.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I know this is a tuff question. Looking for off the shelf, not custom dies.
How would you rate these dies, from your use? FL and seater dies.

Forster
RCBS
Whidden
Redding, type S and Competition dies

Of those, the only one I would recommend is the Redding s-die. But even those will have variation and you may run into issues. There is certainly room in the market for an inexpensive sizing die that will work with min saami spec chambers. If Harrell's precision offers a die for your chambering its the best deal out there.