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RCBS vs. Redding

jlorenzo

Looking to get my first FL bushing die. Seems as its down to RCBS or Redding. I like the fit and finish of the other RCBS stuff I have quite a bit. Does one do something the other doesn't? They both can use the same bushings? This will be for a 223 bolt gun.

Also which mandrel die should I go with and how do I pick a mandrel?
 
I can't say for sure, but everyone, seems to think that the Redding body dies are machined to tighter tolerances. Someone that has had both will chime in, I'm sure. I actually use a "M" die (6mm) by Lyman for neck sizing (mandrel at .2415) and have the ability to flare for flat based bullets. I don't use the expander on the sizing die. They fly true enough. Most of my dies are RCBS and they work just fine, but I always wanted to see if the Redding are better or just hot air.

I missed the part where you said FL bushing die. Never mind.
 
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jlorenzo said:
Looking to get my first FL bushing die. Seems as its down to RCBS or Redding. I like the fit and finish of the other RCBS stuff I have quite a bit. Does one do something the other doesn't? They both can use the same bushings? This will be for a 223 bolt gun.

Also which mandrel die should I go with and how do I pick a mandrel?
Click to expand...
L.E. Wilson makes a line of FL bushing dies for the standard presses that 90+% of us use. Uses the same bushing that Redding and Whidden. The finish internally is head and shoulders above the Redding.

Take a look

Forster dies are really good too.
 
Never used any RCBS die. Always was a Redding fan until I started using the Wilson (press type) F/L bushing dies. The Wilson die fit and finish is better in my opinion. However, I still use the Redding Type "S" F/L dies for the calibers that are not readily available such as the AI series.
 
jlorenzo said:
Looking to get my first FL bushing die. Seems as its down to RCBS or Redding. I like the fit and finish of the other RCBS stuff I have quite a bit. Does one do something the other doesn't? They both can use the same bushings? This will be for a 223 bolt gun.

Also which mandrel die should I go with and how do I pick a mandrel?
Click to expand...
As far as I know Reding dies are the equivalent of RCBS small base dies.
 
The LEE collet die comes with a mandrel, that's about 2.5 to 3k under your bullet DIA, they will also, or at least they use to would make a mandrel to the DIA you want very reasonable, I have not had a problem with any of these dies or the mandrel DIA out of the box, and they're not that expensive and they work just fine, I'm not a fan of LEE products, but they make things that work sometimes and work well! and their collet neck sizing die works! I use these dies for all the rifle calibers I load for, that's how well they work, and only use a Redding body die to size the body of my brass, The LEE collet die gives my neck runout of 1k or less, usually less, but I also turn my case necks for my precision rifles, just enough to uniform them, after firing the brass and I check it it's 99% at zero on the runout! using this method YMMV:cool:
 
jlorenzo said:
I do not wish to neck size. Full length only.
I suppose I'll just have to give it a shot with one or the other.
Any responses as far as the mandrel?
Click to expand...
For 223, take a look at the Mighty Armory full length sizing die. It has a built in mandrel.

I haven't used my Redding bushing die since I bought it.
 
I use and prefer Wilson dies on serious calibers.
The rest are a mix RCBS, Redding, Lee, Lyman, & a few Hornady. I don't like Hornady FL dies but like their seaters. Have a lot of Redding and RCBS and lean to RCBS...as of late. And many times have a mix of dies in the tool head or on the table for loading one caliber, like an expensive seater followed by a Lee factory crimp die. Plus homemade dies for forming...and cheap Lee dies can be easily modified for some of this wildcating with carbide cutting tools, and save time making dies from scratch.
 
DLT said:
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
Click to expand...
Have you called Redding about this? While I’ve never had the scuffing experience with Redding you mention, I bet they’d like to hear of your issue. I just dealt with their customer service department Monday and wow what a great experience. Customer service lives up to its name there. The person I dealt with was top notch and sent me parts in the mail free of charge. Nothing broken, was turning 6.5 Creedmoor bushing die into a 25 Creedmoor and needed the expander button.
 
jlorenzo said:
Any responses as far as the mandrel?
Click to expand...
A full length bushing die does not have any sort of mandrel that touches the inside of the case neck. The holder for the decapping pin is small enough in diameter so it passes through the sized down neck.

Not sure what your brass situation is but keep this in mind: with unturned neck or necks that aren't within .001-.0015 of T.I.R., a bushing style full length die can actually give you more run out than a conventional die.

There's a lot more to it but that's a good start. -Al
 
The LEE die does not require neck sizing and works well with unturned necks, I also use the method on sizing with my gas guns my NM M1A 308win brass unturned and my 5.56 or 223rem brass unturned in my AR's, and the collet die gives the same runout of 1k or less every time, I don't know why someone who has experience with the LEE collet die would not like the newer dies offered, I have the old style or the original offerings of the dies and I have purchased in the last few years some of the newer collet dies for my 6.5CR and my 6.5 GRR, and I see no difference in their operation or function, they work just like they should if you set them up correctly? as I have said I'm not a fan of LEE products! But they do make somethings, very well that work as they should! my extra 2ct;)
 
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