RCBS vs. Redding

[Coyotefurharvester]

My take on a bushing die, skip the mandrel step by using the correct bushing for the brass. Which means brass is all the same(brand and/or neck thickness). Which means other bushings for changing brass. Since I don't separate my brass, have rifles with SAAMI chambers( no turning necks). I fl size(no expander decapper) and mandrel.

 

[jlorenzo]

I use both Lake City and Lapua depending on the load and what its for. I do not do any neck turning nor to I want too. I just noticed while seating bullets I can feel different levels of resistance.

 

[dcali]

I haven't used the high end RCBS dies (Iv'e got a bunch of the standard ones), but I've got a few of the Redding S dies. They're good. They work. It's easy to overthink it. I doubt you'd see much difference until you step up to dies that are made to match your chamber. And then you're really in the weeds and are going to need a benchrest/f class level of gun to appreciate it.

One thing I hate about the both of them is the lock ring. The set screw type is a pain in the ass. Do yourself a favor and pick up a few split ring type to replace them (Hornady, Sinclair, Lee, etc).

 

[Bill K]

I have both RCBS and Redding dies. Both do a fine job in their use of reloading. Either can use the same bushings, in the bushing dies, so is one better than the other ? It is all in the mind of the beholder. You will get opinions on each from people.
Use what you want and/or feel works best for you. Both make good items for us, as other makers also do.
Comes down to a personal preference and price you want to pay more often.

 

[Skeetman59]

I have both, I like both but the inside of my redding body dies and a bushing die I have scuffs the piss out of my cases, rcbs is smooth as a piece of glass

Same here. I’m sending 2 Redding dies back for repair or replacement.

 

[nettle]

I prefer Redding over RCBS.

 

[big5ifty]

My Redding body die in 243 does not move the shoulder far enough, I have to use a Lee sizing die to get the headspace right for the chamber.

Maybe they do it that way to get you to buy the shellholder set.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I own both in 223 and the RCBS its cheaper and finished better than the Redding die.

 

[209jones]

I have a 30yr old RCBS match die set, has the window in the seater, sizer is what appears to be a plain FLS sizer, works fine, also have RCBS neck dies and regular FLS dies. Have Forster FLS Benchrest, bushing/bump, neck and Redding S FLS bushing die sets, and regular Redding die sets. I really can't tell the difference in the finished products out of them, runout is OK on all, Haven't had any issues with having long die bodies from any of them. If Redding is really worth the extra, I can't determine why, at least, not with anything I can see or measure on the finished product, or results downrange. Every mfgr has shipped a bad die here and there, none are exempt from that happening, they'll all replace them if necc., if you get one, you get one, pretty low odds with any of them, send it back, bit of a PITA, but, world will not end over it, in spite of all the hype. Just buy what turns your crank at the time.

 

[lawman29]

Does one do something the other doesn't? No

They both can use the same bushings? Yes