redding body dies..

[lurcher]

Do they actually size the case ie are they simply the equivalent of a full length die with a bored out neck and no expander ball, or do they simply support the case and allow the shoulder to be bumped back?

Also I have read that some full length sizers are more "agressive" (size cases closer to saami specs) than others. Out of interest, If this is so, can someone rank FL sizers from different companies in terms of agressiveness?

 

[338Lapua]

Body dies: size/ bump the shoulder back and the body to some degree, when used in-conjunction with the Redding Competition Shell holder. It allows you maintain optimum headspace for your particular rifle.

And gives you best cartridge to chamber fit when used correctly….. A body die is used in conjunction with a neck-sizing die
http://www.redding-reloading.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35%3Acompetition-shellholder-sets

 

[tenring]

The Harrell F/L die can be ordered with one of three different lower case sizing features. Call them for more info.

 

[HillbillySniper]

Body dies: size/ bump the shoulder back and the body to some degree, when used in-conjunction with the Redding Competition Shell holder. It allows you maintain optimum headspace for your particular rifle.

Ill second that I use my body die almost every reload for my 6x47 Lapua.

Hillbilly

 

[Innovative]

lurcher .....

I prefer to use Redding S-Type (bushing) FL dies on all of my rifles. These FL dies resize the neck more accurately, bump the shoulder, and resize the tapered body to the minimum (when set correctly). It's best to resize with the case in perfect alignment in ONE die. It's also important to set your FL die height perfectly so that the shoulder is never bumped more than .001" to .002" at the most.

This requires comparing your handloads to your fired cases. If you just have case or chamber measurements it's meaningless. It's also a very inaccurate die setting. It's also inaccurate resizing when shooters guess at backing their die 1/4 turn to partial FL or NK resize. You need to know what your particular chamber requires to get it right, and that takes measuring. Google the Digital Headspace Gauge.

 

[YAOG]

lurcher,

In the Redding competition bushing neck die set I have the body die acts like a normal full length resizing die but lacks the normal body core with decapper and expander ball. The Redding body dies restore body taper and bump the shoulder back. Depending on your press you can adjust the shoulder height using the usual die on press adjustment or if you don't have enough adjustment you can use the spiffy Redding competition shell holder set to set your shoulder to minimum headspace for your rifle's chamber which is very cool for brass life and consistency.

But if you want the best of both worlds it's pretty hard to beat the Redding type "S" match bushing full die set. The type S match bushing full die set allows with a single operation to coaxially perform a full length body resize and retain full control of neck sizing using Redding's neck sizing bushings. You can also choose to use or not use the conventional internal neck sizing ball if you want to use the type S match die as a conventional full length resizer with aexpander ball and decapper pin.

Contrary to what Innovative posted above I have seen no measurable difference between the Redding type S match full (length) dies and the Redding competition bushing dies in terns of case sizing precision or concentricity. If you had Redding hone your type S match full length dies to match your rifle chamber I would say sure you would have a nice setup but you can also have Redding do the same for your regular body die. I have and use both just depends on what I need to do to my brass at the time.

Hope this helps!

 

[Longtrain]

I use a Lee Collet Die to resize (neck only and lightly at that), for all my F Class rounds. My Redding body die is used to bump the shoulder back if they become a bit harder to chamber after a number of reloads.

Tony

 

[Innovative]

YAOG ......

I don't think you understood my post. Redding "S" Type dies ARE competition bushing dies (same thing), and they have no concentricity problems - not even a little bit. However, the hieght setting of any FL die should be set accurately, or you may be pushing the shoulder back too far for your particular chamber.

My point was that even benchrest shooters are using FL dies. Why mess around with a body die if you don't need to. Full length dies (when set accurately) do the job very well (often better), and that reduces the case stretching that leads to chambering problems. If you adjust your die height accurately (by measuring), it's like having a set of custom dies.

 

[jo191145]

lurcher

Any off the shelf FL die should be capable of sizing back to minimum saami specs.
Not sure why you'd want to. Innovative is 100% correct, the die needs to be set for your specific chamber.
I don't think its possible to rank over the counter FL dies. If a shooter were to buy a die from every maker its still a sample of one. Just like chambers in off the rack rifles there will be variations.

If theres a specific problem/concern your having we could address that.

If your looking for the tightest match without having your own FL die reamer made theres Harrels.
If your looking for a sloppy fit you need to ask why ;D