Redding Competition Set Order of Operation

[bored184]

I've got a 308 competition set with the neck sizing die, body die and seater die. I've never really used a 3 die set before and I am curios does one use the body die or neck die first?

If it changes anything this would be used on already fired brass.

 

[jepp2]

I am curious does one use the body die or neck die first?

From my experience and everything I have read, it seems to make no difference. I size a good bit of my brass in two steps, using the body die first, then I normally use a Lee Collet Die second since I get lower neck runout than I do with the Redding Competition neck bushing die. I'm sure folks will question that, but I have plenty of data that supports it for me.

 

[bored184]

From my experience and everything I have read, it seems to make no difference.

I wondered if that would be the case. It appears everybody has their own way of doing things.

 

[riflewoman]

And they’re convinced that if you don’t do it the same way as they, it’s wrong!

 

[bored184]

And they’re convinced that if you don’t do it the same way as they, it’s wrong!

Sadly, I have seen those conversations as well.

 

[MVRK28]

My process is to size the body first and the neck last. I feel like once the neck is done the case should be done. Personal preference, just the way I do it.

 

[Fotheringill]

Body, tumble to get the goop off the case and then neck with titanium or whatever super duper bushing.

 

[cw308]

I'm not into neck sizing , I use to neck size and fireforming my brass for benchrest shooting 308 cal. Went back to full with .0015 - .002 headspace . No more or less . Your question to body die , I would think it's for sizing back the case when neck sizing only causes hard chambering and bolt lifts . Doesn't make sense to me to use the body die on each case sizing when your neck sizing . My as well just full size for that matter . I would fire your cases , clean your brass , neck size ( are you pooping your priners first or decapping with the neck sizing die ? ) the seat the bullet . Body die only when the case chambers hard . That's what I would do . Sizing the body and neck sizing in two steps I would think it would effect bullet run-out .
I use the standard RCBS F/L sizing die with the Redding Competition Shellholders and the Redding Competition Seating Die . I use a universal decapping die to pop the primers first the wet tumble . From there on what ever works best for you is the way to go . Hope I Helped in some way .

Chris

 

[Sheldon N]

Step 1: Sell neck sizing die
Step 2: Sell body die
Step 3: Buy Full Length die.

 

[Whisky Tahoe Foxtrot]

I've got a 308 competition set with the neck sizing die, body die and seater die. I've never really used a 3 die set before and I am curios does one use the body die or neck die first?

If it changes anything this would be used on already fired brass.

Short answer: When you use the body die, typically you use it first. You would use it less for bolt action chambers, more for brass fired in semi auto chambers.

Long answer: The body die is important because full length resizing needs to happen to keep the head space in check. Semi autos usually need brass resized after every firing, Bolt guns need brass resized every few firings to keep the headspace from shrinking too much. Competition shell holders can be used here to adjust the headspace in precise amounts versus backing off the die. Both methods work.

The order of body or neck sizing is largely personal. Fotheringill describes a popular method or resizing then tumbling to clean off the lube then neck sizing. This works for most who don't resize every firing but always neck size. Others prefer to clean before resizing to keep grit from getting in the dies.

Factoring in your other prep steps like decapping, case lube or dry neck lube (if used) will help you sort out the best method. Try using the body first as needed then use the neck sizing die. With this method you will decap during neck sizing if you are using the decapping pin with the Competition Neck Sizing die. Some prefer keeping the primers in the brass for tumbling so this order works for that if you tumble after resizing.

 

[cw308]

Neck sizing or full sizing comes down to what ever shoots best in your rifle . I would give both a fair try . I tried everything , bushing dies playing with neck tension , checking run-out , using dry lube on the inside of the necks when seating after reading about cold weld . Using 0000 wool to smooth up the inside of the necks when seating . Came down to wet tumbling my brass , full sizing with the expander ball and lubing the case body and inside of the case neck , back into the tumbler to remove the lube . No dry lube or wool , seating is just as smooth and no change on the group size . I take my time doing the basics and enjoy shooting without going down that rabbit hole .

 

[dolek]

I wonder how many guys that talk all the hate on the neck-sizer have actually used ? and if so used it correctly ?

Great tool used correctly ...not always needed,just like a FL die is not always needed...some folks just choose to never adapt. Nobody is wrong ,just trying to acheive the same goal in different ways .

That being said, I like body sizing and then neck,if it's time to size the body.