Best reloading dies
- Thread starter Ranger188
- Start date
D-4297
Gold $$ Contributor
As you listed them ; I'll respond in that same order , giving no preference .
Forster ...Never owned one .
RCBS .....I have a couple of them , and they are serviceable , solid dies .
Whidden ..I only purchase custom F/L Bushing Dies from Whidden , and they are of excellent quality , and create outstanding , accurate ammo .
Redding ....Since I have several Redding Type S , Bushing Dies , I guess the assumption could be made that I have a preference towards Redding Dies . Guess so ...Never thought about it in those terms , but the Redding Type S dies are reliable and consistent , when set correctly .
Forster ...Never owned one .
RCBS .....I have a couple of them , and they are serviceable , solid dies .
Whidden ..I only purchase custom F/L Bushing Dies from Whidden , and they are of excellent quality , and create outstanding , accurate ammo .
Redding ....Since I have several Redding Type S , Bushing Dies , I guess the assumption could be made that I have a preference towards Redding Dies . Guess so ...Never thought about it in those terms , but the Redding Type S dies are reliable and consistent , when set correctly .
Wayne don't make me tell everyone in the forum what brand of die you use to reload.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
Wayne don't make me tell everyone in the forum what brand of die you use to reload.
How did you know?.....
Wayne
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
Wayne don't make me tell everyone in the forum what brand of die you use to reload.
I actually do have this set in 303 British and other than it’s slow it does all right Ed.
Wayne
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
Don't have Whidden. But do have Redding, Forester, RCBS and Hornaday. I like Redding best. Forster is good. I do love my RCBS competition bullet seating dies though.
I've used Whidden, Redding and Forster.
My order of preference based on quality and accuracy of ammo :
1. Forster - I use the f/l non bushing benchrest sizer with an expander ball to set the neck tension. In the co-ax press, the make the straightest most consistent brass for me. The benchrest nonmicrometer top seaters are very good as well. Very consistent and they seat bullets straight.
2. Whidden - I like the f/l non bushing dies. I have 3 sets. They serve as my back up dies. Again, I use a ball to set the tension. The microtop seater is as accurate and as consistent as the Forster I use. You have to use a seating stem custom ground for your bullet to get the best out of it. You have to be careful with their off the shelf dies, the quality control is a little sketchy. If you get a good die, it's really good. If you get a bad one, it's junk. Of the 3 sets I own, I had to sent 2 sets back for rework or replacement due to manufacturing issues.
3. Redding dies are ok in my experience. Switch out the lock rings for crossbolt rings instead of the set screw type. Otherwise, the dies tilt when the set screw is tightened.
Concentricity gets really bad when this happens. The competitions seaters are ok, but I get higher runout numbers. I have 3 or 4 sets of these as well. I pull the out and use them for comparison sometimes.
PopCharlie
My order of preference based on quality and accuracy of ammo :
1. Forster - I use the f/l non bushing benchrest sizer with an expander ball to set the neck tension. In the co-ax press, the make the straightest most consistent brass for me. The benchrest nonmicrometer top seaters are very good as well. Very consistent and they seat bullets straight.
2. Whidden - I like the f/l non bushing dies. I have 3 sets. They serve as my back up dies. Again, I use a ball to set the tension. The microtop seater is as accurate and as consistent as the Forster I use. You have to use a seating stem custom ground for your bullet to get the best out of it. You have to be careful with their off the shelf dies, the quality control is a little sketchy. If you get a good die, it's really good. If you get a bad one, it's junk. Of the 3 sets I own, I had to sent 2 sets back for rework or replacement due to manufacturing issues.
3. Redding dies are ok in my experience. Switch out the lock rings for crossbolt rings instead of the set screw type. Otherwise, the dies tilt when the set screw is tightened.
Concentricity gets really bad when this happens. The competitions seaters are ok, but I get higher runout numbers. I have 3 or 4 sets of these as well. I pull the out and use them for comparison sometimes.
PopCharlie
Ranger188
Silver $$ Contributor
The reason for asking is, I'm trying to collect somethings for my next build
and usually get Forster die's but they are out of the ones I want. I've called them before
and sometimes takes 6 months to rotate to replace their stock. (no one else has them either)
So was looking for possible replacements if they don't come back in time.
Thanks for the responses.
I've heard the same thing about Whidden dies, hit and miss
they are really good or really bad.
and usually get Forster die's but they are out of the ones I want. I've called them before
and sometimes takes 6 months to rotate to replace their stock. (no one else has them either)
So was looking for possible replacements if they don't come back in time.
Thanks for the responses.
I've heard the same thing about Whidden dies, hit and miss
they are really good or really bad.
dcali
Bullet Maker
I haven't used a Forster die that isn't ancient, but have all the others. They all work fine. I think Whidden gives the best bang/buck. I'd skip the "click adjustable" sizer, though. It's a nice concept, but in practice, it's basically just like any other sizing die. The clicks don't really click all that well. But where I used to look to Redding fist, I'm now looking at Whidden as the first stop for new dies.
And I agree wiht PopCharlie - swap out any set screw type rings (is Redding the only one these days?) They're just a pain in the ass at best. A few bucks for someone else's rings is money well spent.
And I agree wiht PopCharlie - swap out any set screw type rings (is Redding the only one these days?) They're just a pain in the ass at best. A few bucks for someone else's rings is money well spent.
Murray Brook
Silver $$ Contributor
Have all the dies you mentioned except for the Whidden ones. Also have Lyman, Lee, Hornady, etc. I like the Forster ones the best.
MikeMcCasland
Team Texas F-T/R
Personally, I think the ideal setup is a Whidden sizing die with a Forster micrometer seater.
I do agree with the Whidden 'quality' comments. I haven't received any bad dies, but I have received dies with missing parts. When contacted, they're good about taking care of you.
The dies are polished to a whole different level, and the machining is of higher quality in my opinion.
I do agree with the Whidden 'quality' comments. I haven't received any bad dies, but I have received dies with missing parts. When contacted, they're good about taking care of you.
The dies are polished to a whole different level, and the machining is of higher quality in my opinion.
Get 3 pieces of fired/ unsized brass and send it to Whidden to have a FL bushing die made and order a run if the mill RCBS FL die to use in the meantime. It’ll take 8 weeks or so for your custom die to be made. Sell the RCBS for 50% quickly in the classifieds when you get the Whidden. Get a Wilson or Forster micrometer seater.
Why not include Wilson in the list of FL sizers? Lots of folks trust their other dies.
I’m using honed forster sizers. As good as it gets for non bushing.
The Forster seater has good adjustability and seats very straight. But they are super fragile. The stem in thin wall and highly stressed by grabbing so low on the ogive. I think the new RCBS matchmaster version of the old gold medal seater has a much better seater stem. If the Forster wasn’t an annual stem replacement, I’d recommend it. But mine is already “clicking” because the stem is flared out and catches on the sleeve. It’s a very off putting design flaw. No, I don’t run compressed loads and the die has never had anything but mild seating force. And it still fails. In less than 2 years. Totally unacceptable.
The non micrometer Forster has the same poor design.
I think I’m going to switch to seating on an arbor press with a Wilson.
If you somehow need a neck die, Wilson or Lee collet.
I’m using honed forster sizers. As good as it gets for non bushing.
The Forster seater has good adjustability and seats very straight. But they are super fragile. The stem in thin wall and highly stressed by grabbing so low on the ogive. I think the new RCBS matchmaster version of the old gold medal seater has a much better seater stem. If the Forster wasn’t an annual stem replacement, I’d recommend it. But mine is already “clicking” because the stem is flared out and catches on the sleeve. It’s a very off putting design flaw. No, I don’t run compressed loads and the die has never had anything but mild seating force. And it still fails. In less than 2 years. Totally unacceptable.
The non micrometer Forster has the same poor design.
I think I’m going to switch to seating on an arbor press with a Wilson.
If you somehow need a neck die, Wilson or Lee collet.
I have settled on an LE Wilson threaded FS bushing die. If I don't use the bushing, I will neck size with a Lee Collet die. I always seat with Forster micrometer die (I have two of them in the same caliber indexed for different bullets). I haven't had any issues with the stem for 260 Rem.
I set the micrometer to zero/zero and then adjust the stem so the bullet in question is seated to 2.800. Then I make variations from there.
The Wilson bushings are an interference fit with the cavity above the shoulder. Wilson claims that there is minimal slop to create runout.
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