Die choice

[PD Gohil]

So as I begin to start down this rabbit hole freeloading I faced a big choice on which dies do to choose. Redding and Forster are my top pics. I'll be full length resizing and want a micrometer seating die.
I'm sure everyone has their opinion, but can someone point out some differences between the tooth so that I may make an educated decision.

Precision is the key for me. Reloading 6.5 creedmore and .308.

Thanks All!

PGohil
WV

 

[Pawnee Bill]

After reloading for a while you will have dies from most makers as there isn't a lot of difference in quality. It just happens that way.

 

[alb]

Since you're in the zone already with Redding and Forster, I'd suggest also looking at Whidden. While normally Redding is my go-to, I feel the Whidden dies to be in a league of their own.

 

[PD Gohil]

Also I want to go with a bushing type sizing die.

 

[BeefyT11]

Also I want to go with a bushing type sizing die.

Wilson... works of art... oh and they work well too

 

[jvw2008]

Redding got my nod 10 years ago, then Forster elbowed in on my choice. Just got two threaded Wilson dies a month ago. I will be buying more of them.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Widden dies

 

[JFrank]

www.lewilson.com

 

[golong]

Wilson is my top. If you go that route, just be aware they don't have an expander button. If you need to expand (which you will at some point) you will either need to buy a dedicated expander and mandrels or just buy dies that have an expander button.

If you want a die with an expander, Redding has the best over Forster over RCBS. Never used Lee for anything other than pistol and don't expect I ever will. Never owned any other brands.

If you are really going after precision, something that I would strongly consider is using an arbor press for seating. L.E. Wilson's micrometer (not the Sinclair micrometer) and any arbor press is going to be hard to beat.

 

[Pwhite11798]

Widden dies are a notch above redding and forester. But i also have setups for l.e. wilson seaters and arbor press. Wich also gives excellent results. Like some one posted above you will end up with all brands of dies if you stick with it long enough. The only dies i did not care for were Lee dies. But others on here might disagree with my opinion.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Got 2 sets of Widden dies for a custom cartridge project using the same case in 6mm, 6.5, 270, and 7mm flavors. Very nice dies.

 

[Mikemci]

You state that "precision is key for me"
In that case, send Whidden 3 cases, fired 3 times in your rifle and he will make you a custom die.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Wilson is my top. If you go that route, just be aware they don't have an expander button. If you need to expand (which you will at some point) you will either need to buy a dedicated expander and mandrels or just buy dies that have an expander button.

If you want a die with an expander, Redding has the best over Forster over RCBS. Never used Lee for anything other than pistol and don't expect I ever will. Never owned any other brands.

If you are really going after precision, something that I would strongly consider is using an arbor press for seating. L.E. Wilson's micrometer (not the Sinclair micrometer) and any arbor press is going to be hard to beat.

Why not the sinclair micrometer? Id rather have it because i can transfer it over to another die when i get interested in something else. I can buy the blanks or non micrometer dies alot cheaper

 

[PD Gohil]

You state that "precision is key for me"
In that case, send Whidden 3 cases, fired 3 times in your rifle and he will make you a custom die.

To show my ignorance, I did not know this was even an option. I will definitely check in to this option.

In the interim in order to get my three fire cases I'm going to have to select to die.

 

[gman47564]

depends... do you plan on turning the necks? if you are a bushing die will work just fine... if your not I don't feel like a bushing die will give you consistent neck tension (just my opinion).. if your not planning on turning necks I would recommend a redding body die and a lee neck sizing collet die..with a forster micro seating die... the combination is hard to beat with unturned necks... I got a couple whidden fl dies... not impressed... for neck turned rounds I prefer the forster competition dies...

 

[Pwhite11798]

I tried the Lee collet die for my .243 hunting loads ended up breaking the primer punch pin on the sizing die within 20 sizings. The decaping pin is machined as a solid unit intergrated into the collet mandrel. Lee had no problem the waranty. Also the collet left marks on the necks from where it crimped down on the necks. So i decide to go rcbs full length resize with rcbs comp seater. The rcbs comp seater is the one that has the side window to load the bullet in. It works well but still prefer the whidden seater or l.e. wilson and arbor press. I also use hornady lock and load set up on my dies and press and have not had an issue with.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Never have had Wilson
I have RCBS Comp and Redding Bushing etc.
Went to Widden for two F/class Rifles they are Very Good . They are great with Customer Service if you call .They past me to John Himself
for my .284 help.

 

[Uncle Ed]

Also I want to go with a bushing type sizing die.

In the Redding die FAQ they tell you the following.

Tech Line & Tips (FAQs)
https://www.redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips-faqs/140-bushing-selection
Bushing Selection
"The above methods of determining bushing size require that the cases being sized have a fairly uniform neck wall thickness or have been neck turned. If the neck wall thickness varies more than 0.002", it may be necessary to use a bushing a couple of thousandths smaller than your calculations indicate, and then use a size button in the die to determine the final inside neck diameter."

Bushing dies work best with tight neck chambers and neck turned brass. And with an off the shelf factory rifle with a SAAMI chamber and unturned brass you still have to size and expand the case neck. Meaning you are still working the neck as much as a standard non-bushing full length die. And if you neck turn you will end up working the neck even more because the neck expands more when fired.

The reason so many reloaders use the Lee collet die is because they get less neck runout than with a bushing die in SAAMI chambers.

Below the 6.5 Guys get "LESS" neck runout with Forster full length benchrest dies with their high mounted floating expander dies vs Redding bushing dies.

 

[JFrank]

Also I want to go with a bushing type sizing die.

Excellent choice’
Bushing dies provide the versatility to adjust neck tension without honing a die and being stuck with that brass, not having an expander system promotes excellent brass life by not overworking necks.
I’ can’t speak for others but for me Run out is a non issue at the bench and on the target.

 

[Uncle Ed]

If you do not neck turn a bushing die pushes the neck thickness variation to the inside of the neck. And why Redding recommends using their expander that comes with the bushing die to push the variations to the outside of the neck.

Whidden Gunworks reloading dies
https://www.whiddengunworks.com/standard-reloading-dies/

"The non-bushing sizer die typically yields more concentric ammo in our experience. It also fully sizes the case neck fully to the shoulder for smoother functioning. Neck tension can only be determined by changing expander balls with the non-bushing die."

Expander Ball Kits
https://www.whiddengunworks.com/product/expander-ball-kits-and-sets/

"The Whidden Gunworks Expander Balls typically allow the shooter the opportunity to adjust the neck tension from .001″ to .005″. The Expander Ball Kit comes with five Expander Balls. See chart below for kit info."

Bottom line, I recommend getting a neck thickness gauge and a runout gauge to see what works best for you.