Does anyone have any experience with the Hornady match grade die sets with the bushings in the sizing die? If so what is your opinion and experience with them? I am considering them for a new 260 rem. I have only used Lee dies in the past and wondering if the Hornady match dies would be an improvement over the Lee's and if they would be similar to the Redding type s bushing dies. I will not be turning necks if that matters. Thank you for any help.
Hornady match grade die set?
- Thread starter 6.5grendel
- Start date
I just got a set for my 6.5CM, I like them a lot. They are a huge improvement over the Lee dies.
What is match grade about them?
john pruitt
Silver $$ Contributor
Wilson/Redding/Forster/Whidden
I don't know what is match grade about them or if they really are match quality. I have never used them. That's why I was asking if anyone had experience with them so I didn't waste my money on them. They just appear to be Hornady's top of the line die set. Seems that the consensus is that they are not really match grade from the responses so far.
I'm using them in 260 & 6five.
They are good dies I pulled the o-rings and expander button on mine.
I've also used thier custom dies in 30-06,223
I've noticed a difference of .0015 more case body resizing over rcbs.
I do like the floating sleeve on bullet seater and micrometer in seating stem, wish the print was bolder/ more contrasting tho.
All that said I would probably go with a foster shoulder neck die, and a expanding mandrel with 5 piece redding shell holders.
They are good dies I pulled the o-rings and expander button on mine.
I've also used thier custom dies in 30-06,223
I've noticed a difference of .0015 more case body resizing over rcbs.
I do like the floating sleeve on bullet seater and micrometer in seating stem, wish the print was bolder/ more contrasting tho.
All that said I would probably go with a foster shoulder neck die, and a expanding mandrel with 5 piece redding shell holders.
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fatelvis
Silver $$ Contributor
In my opinion, they are just that, Hornady’s best. But in relative terms, they are on the lower end of the “match die spectrum “. Other companies’ dies, such as Redding, Forster, Whidden, and Wilson keep what seem to be tighter tolerances, promoting a better finished cartridge .
I'm basically looking for a better system than the Lee pacesetter set that I have previously used. Now I'm thinking about either a basic Redding f/l die and seater set, or a redding body die with a Lee collet neck die set. I was just considering the Hornady bushing die because I have heard about extended brass life using a bushing die.
Forster micro seater and bushing dies should serve you well
I have used the Match grade Hornady dies from the custom shop with my 6mm Dasher. They have the bushing and I have had excellent results over the last nine years. Good shooting...James PS- Above are some of the trophies from matches that I have won with the Dasher and Hornady MATCH GRADE dies. These dies are not the $29 variety but come from the custom department.
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I have one Hornady die and it is not being used, in the average factory rifle bushing dies produce more neck runout.
My first choice are standard non bushing Forster full length benchrest dies. The high mounted floating expander enters the case neck when the neck is held and centered in the neck of the die. This produces far less neck runout than the average type die.
Below my Redding 243 full length die equipped with a modified Forster expander and spindle assembly. I will never understand why Redding uses their longer expanders with increased area and drag.
NOTE, at the Whidden website they tell you a non-bushing full length die produce the most concentric cases.
Below "if needed" you can have the neck of the die honed.
Forster Honed Dies
My first choice are standard non bushing Forster full length benchrest dies. The high mounted floating expander enters the case neck when the neck is held and centered in the neck of the die. This produces far less neck runout than the average type die.
Below my Redding 243 full length die equipped with a modified Forster expander and spindle assembly. I will never understand why Redding uses their longer expanders with increased area and drag.
NOTE, at the Whidden website they tell you a non-bushing full length die produce the most concentric cases.
Below "if needed" you can have the neck of the die honed.
Forster Honed Dies
There is nothing “match grade “ about Hornady dies. For my money the Whiddon dies have been the best I’ve ever used and the Forster Benchrest dies are the best value for the dollar. I’ve got a pile of different die makers in my die drawer but anything I buy these days is a Whiddon set and a Lee collet neck die.
I polish the Forster expanders and make them .002 to .0025 smaller than bullet diameter. And I have yet had to send any of my Forster dies to have the neck honed. Redding recommends if you do not turn your necks to use a bushing .004 smaller than a loaded round and use their expander. And bushing dies work best with a tight neck chamber and neck turned brass.
Bottom line, using a expander is not the end of the world on a factory rifle. But this also depends on the dies neck diameter and your neck thickness. And I want my dies to be able to size any brand of brass. And on the thinner brands of brass I can barely feel the expander in the neck.
Look at the charts at the link below and see how much the neck diameter of dies can vary. My Forster dies are like the Redding dies and at the lower end of reducing the neck diameter.
Are Your Sizing Dies Overworking Your Rifle Brass?
http://www.massreloading.com/dies_overworking_brass.html
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James
Does Hornday create a body die that custom fits your chamber?
How do their MG seaters vary from their standard micro seater?
The floating stem on mine is quite loose.
Just wondering
Jim
Jim, I don't use the Hornady seater but rather a Wilson with arbor press. I have the Hornady seater and it has a floating bullet guide....but like I said I use the Wilson. Good shooting....James
Seaters are by caliber, no cartridge.
I'm using Hornady seaters on all caliber I load for. 223,260,6.5,06'.
Really needs better etching/engraving on micrometer is my only complaint
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