Since I now have 223 full length (FL) dies from both Redding and Forster, I decided to compare the two. The Forster is out of the box, whereas the Redding has the optional free floating carbide expander button. Some interesting test results, and one problem.
EQUIPMENT
Cases: PMC. Sourced from PMC Bronze ammunition, fired once in my 223 chambered AR-15. All have .0015 max neck thickness variation.
Press: Forster Co-Ax.
Dies: Forster FL die. Redding FL die with optional carbide floating expander button. Expander button set close to neck as possible w/o locking die to case on withdrawal. Both dies cleaned before test.
Lock Rings: Original equipment for both dies. The Redding lock ring is smaller in diameter than the Forster, but slides into the die slot.
Waxes and Lubricants: Imperial wax. Redding bead media for necks.
TEST
1) Full length resize each case.
2) Measure neck runout on Sinclair gauge.
RESULTS
Forster
Case #1 .0015"
Case #2 .0020"
Case #3 .0010"
Case #4 .0005"
Case #5 .0002"
Redding
Case #1 Won't size. Becomes suddenly very hard to move case into die.
Case #2 .0040"
Case #3 .0010"
Case #4 .0015"
Case #5 Won't size. Case suddenly comes to hard stop in die.
COMMENT
1) The .0040" runout is the kind of thing I was getting before with the Redding dies. Some cases were OK on runout, others were just terrible. Such as .007". It was this performance that led me to a Forster FL die, as well as a Redding body die and Lee collet die.
2) The Redding die takes noticeably more force to size than the Forster, on both the down stroke and up stroke.
3) Both the Forster and Redding size the neck down to the same size and expand the neck up to the same size.
4) I tried sizing the two cases that could not be resized in the Redding die, in the Forster die. The Forster die sized them without incident. Those cases had .0010" and .0020" neck runout.
5) Something may be wrong with the Redding die, but can not see anything amiss. It is pretty basic. I took it apart completely and found nothing. The ulstrasonic tank did not release any possible stuck on brass or other debris. The inside looks pristine. The decapping rod has a few thousandths runout. Suggestions on things to look for are welcome. I doubt the problem is the case as the Forster handled them without incident. Maybe the smaller lock ring on the Redding die allows too much lateral float in the press. Hard for me to believe, but open to ideas.
Phil
EQUIPMENT
Cases: PMC. Sourced from PMC Bronze ammunition, fired once in my 223 chambered AR-15. All have .0015 max neck thickness variation.
Press: Forster Co-Ax.
Dies: Forster FL die. Redding FL die with optional carbide floating expander button. Expander button set close to neck as possible w/o locking die to case on withdrawal. Both dies cleaned before test.
Lock Rings: Original equipment for both dies. The Redding lock ring is smaller in diameter than the Forster, but slides into the die slot.
Waxes and Lubricants: Imperial wax. Redding bead media for necks.
TEST
1) Full length resize each case.
2) Measure neck runout on Sinclair gauge.
RESULTS
Forster
Case #1 .0015"
Case #2 .0020"
Case #3 .0010"
Case #4 .0005"
Case #5 .0002"
Redding
Case #1 Won't size. Becomes suddenly very hard to move case into die.
Case #2 .0040"
Case #3 .0010"
Case #4 .0015"
Case #5 Won't size. Case suddenly comes to hard stop in die.
COMMENT
1) The .0040" runout is the kind of thing I was getting before with the Redding dies. Some cases were OK on runout, others were just terrible. Such as .007". It was this performance that led me to a Forster FL die, as well as a Redding body die and Lee collet die.
2) The Redding die takes noticeably more force to size than the Forster, on both the down stroke and up stroke.
3) Both the Forster and Redding size the neck down to the same size and expand the neck up to the same size.
4) I tried sizing the two cases that could not be resized in the Redding die, in the Forster die. The Forster die sized them without incident. Those cases had .0010" and .0020" neck runout.
5) Something may be wrong with the Redding die, but can not see anything amiss. It is pretty basic. I took it apart completely and found nothing. The ulstrasonic tank did not release any possible stuck on brass or other debris. The inside looks pristine. The decapping rod has a few thousandths runout. Suggestions on things to look for are welcome. I doubt the problem is the case as the Forster handled them without incident. Maybe the smaller lock ring on the Redding die allows too much lateral float in the press. Hard for me to believe, but open to ideas.
Phil
