Redding or Forster seating die

[TrxR]

Which do you all prefer? The redding or the forster micrometer seating dies and why? The other one I was looking at was the Whidden . What do you all suggest?

Thanks

 

[ShootDots]

Whidden make TOP FLIGHT stuff... I do not own one YET, however, I have seen them and I know some shooters who know their stuff and they say they rank among the best>>>I have little doubt of that. Now I own almost an equal amount of BOTH the Redding Comp and the Forster... They are both excellent dies.. I think that if someone chooses one over the other, it would be for personal reasons.. Either one is excellent..

 

[DMC]

I have, and use die sets from all of those you mentioned, I ,ve always found the Forster Ultra seaters to be excellent, but i've just finished a Dasher and i've bought a Whidden F/L size die, its a really well made die, very happy with it, plus always good to support JW !
If i was you, i would go the Whidden set everytime !

Safe Shooting

DMC

 

[savageshooter86]

Whidden hands down beats my Forster. To me, has better quality and more positive adjustments on the micrometer. So far Whidden die is seating my bullets within 1/2 thous(0.0005). My Forster was not that accurate

John's seater is different than a Forster.

 

[CatShooter]

Which do you all prefer? The redding or the forster micrometer seating dies and why? The other one I was looking at was the Whidden . What do you all suggest?

Thanks

I own both and prefer Forester.

 

[thumper4fun]

I have owned both and prefer Forster hands down. The runout was much less and the seating depth more consistent with the Forster.

 

[BigDMT]

I like Forster better than the Redding for seating dies.
Simply because it is half the price of a Redding Type S seater and it will give you just as precise ammo, if not better in some cases. So why spend more money??? Forster comes with a way better lock ring too.

Whidden, Wilson, RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, LEE, and any other die out there were not asked about so I will not comment on them.

 

[kelbro]

I own both and prefer Forester.

Same here and I agree. RCBS micro seater is also pretty darned good.

 

[TrxR]

BigDmt: Have you used the Whidden because it is also a consideration.

 

[BigDMT]

BigDmt: Have you used the Whidden because it is also a consideration.

Did you add Whidden in? Or did I just miss that at first? I am getting older and crazier by the minute...

No, I have not had the privilege to use Whidden yet. I'm sure it is one of the best threaded dies from what I hear. Have read nothing but A+ reviews on Whidden dies. Supposed to be the best thing next to custom chamber spec reamed arbor press dies. For about the same price as a Redding type S set, I'd say Whidden would probably be the way to go for threaded dies. I will probably give Whidden a shot with my next build on a 243 LBC Turbo.

See! Here I go commenting on something I've only read about... Though I doubt you'll hear anything bad about them either

 

[BigDMT]

Now I'm curious about Whidden. Just sent them an email to see if they can make me a set of dies off my 243 LBC Turbo reamer. I expect I'll probably have to pay for a sizing die reamer to be built as well. But ya never know. Just have to see what they say first.

 

[snakepit]

I have both the Forester Ultra Micrometer Seater Die in 6BR and the Redding Competition Seating Die in 6BR and they both work great for me. Seating depth and bullet runout performance have been great and equal. I think you can depend on either one for your reloading needs.

 

[AR Shooter]

Use the Forster for 6.5mm and the RCBS Gold Medal bushing for .223R and think they are both top quality and excellent pieces.

 

[BigDMT]

For anyone wondering.

I contacted Whidden today to get info on making a set of custom dies. All I need to give them is a reamer "print". Don't have to provide reamers at all. Takes about 4 months to make and costs about $260 for seater and sizer set.

Just thought I'd share that info with you fellas. Take care.

 

[Phil3]

I have both and Forster for me. Reasons:

1) The Forster moves .025" per full turn. The Redding, .050". That makes the hash marks on the Forster further apart and easier to read.
2) The Forster dial top is larger in diameter, making the hash marks yet further apart.
3) The Forster has the Forster lock rings, which I prefer over the Redding.
4) The Forster is much cheaper.
5) The Forster gives up nothing in accuracy to the Redding.
6) And I know I'll catch flack for this, but the Forster fits in its box when adjusted for use, whereas the Redding does not (for my 223).

Phil

 

[BigDMT]

I have both and Forster for me. Reasons:

1) The Forster moves .025" per full turn. The Redding, .050". That makes the hash marks on the Forster further apart and easier to read.
2) The Forster dial top is larger in diameter, making the hash marks yet further apart.
3) The Forster has the Forster lock rings, which I prefer over the Redding.
4) The Forster is much cheaper.
5) The Forster gives up nothing in accuracy to the Redding.
6) And I know I'll catch flack for this, but the Forster fits in its box when adjusted for use, whereas the Redding does not (for my 223).

Phil

I forgot about #6. That is definitely one thing that has always ticked me off about the Redding die cases . I doubt anyone uses the shell holders on their cases, I dont, but I always wondered why there are the same small diameter holes on the 223 to 308 style die cases AND the magnum round die cases? ???

 

[lightman]

Phil, no reason for you to catch heck! Storage and keeping a neat work area is always a challenge. A die that won't fit its box just makes for something else to keep up with. I'm not a neat freak, but I do strive for some organization! Lightman

 

[CatShooter]

I have both and Forster for me. Reasons:

1) The Forster moves .025" per full turn. The Redding, .050". That makes the hash marks on the Forster further apart and easier to read.
2) The Forster dial top is larger in diameter, making the hash marks yet further apart.
3) The Forster has the Forster lock rings, which I prefer over the Redding.
4) The Forster is much cheaper.
5) The Forster gives up nothing in accuracy to the Redding.
6) And I know I'll catch flack for this, but the Forster fits in its box when adjusted for use, whereas the Redding does not (for my 223).

Phil

7) Forester will sell you another seating chamber, so you can have your gunsmith chamber it at the same time he chambers your rifle, to match your rifle - Redding will not.

 

[lpreddick]

my old bifocaled eyes helped me decide...the hash marks on my reddings have faded and they are too close together while the forster marks are very easy to see and will seat as adjusted.

 

[swampshooter]

It's not a big thing but I get really ticked off every time I try to put my Redding Dies back in the box. For that kind of money you'd think they could give us a decent box. It would be nice if there was room enough to keep some extra bushings in there also so everything was all in one place. My die box lid stays cocked up at a 30* angle and I have to use a heavy rubber band. How cheesie is that for $200.00 worth of equipment. I've always had trouble reading the hash marks, I'm no spring chicken anymore.