Redding vs. Forster? Opinions please ;)

[bozo699]

Redding vs. Forster,
I have many Redding competition dies but the other day I bought a Forster bushing die and competition Micro seater die in 6br It is consistently producing less runout than the Redding dies on the same brass. I like the Redding dies but the micro seater on the forster seems a lot more smooth and more refined than the redding and the seater works great also. I am just wondering what you guy's have noticed or observed how the Forster dies have worked for you and how they compare with the Redding dies? Thanks for thoughts and advice in advance.
Wayne.

 

[BBTC48]

I love the way the plunger system sets you up for a better, straighter bullet insertion and I think I make better ammo with the Forsters. I'm in the process of switching every one of my calibers over to Forsters. My first set was NOT the micro-head model but I got used to the narrow feed screw for seating adjustment. I'll pop for the extra bucks from now on though, to get the micro tops on the rest of my dies. Hmmmmm, wonder if I could send a die set in and have that head installed?? Sounds do-able. I really think this alignment system would be a must for loooong bullets of any caliber, or folks like myself shooting a long throated Swede. MHO

 

[40X Guy]

Most of my seater dies are Redding, I have 1 Forster mike seater in .308 that works very well for me as well. Comfortable to use, but I can't prove or disprove it against the Redding. They both may be at the top as far as mass produced factory offering. I did read a test somewhere on 6BR that tested the 7/8X14 seater dies and IIRC they were both in top 3.

Frank

 

[KMart]

BBTC48
If you would like the Micrometer head for your Forster seating die, call Dee at Forster Products and tell her that you need a complete Micro head for your die. I bought one last year and I think it was about $35. You just unscrew the top half and screw on the new top.

 

[moosetracker]

I have both the Redding and Forster seaters. I too prefer the Forster, which also happens to be cheaper, at least in Canada.

 

[Yellow11]

I too have both dies... would not look to purchase Redding again. Also, I have stated to use Wilson dies, which I have a taken a strong liking to.

 

[bozo699]

Thanks fellas,
Your consensus of the Forster die's is the same as mine so far, like I said I have many Redding and only one Forster so I couldn't make a absolute decision or opinion with only one die to base it on. I also like and use wilson seaters. I am in the process of building two 6brx rifles and don't want to have to remember to make special adjustments to my 6br die do you think Forster and or Wilson would ream the extra .100 needed for a true 6brx die?
Wayne.

 

[DCRYDER]

I dont think reaming .100" deeper would benefit you any. I blackened the case on a 6br case and stuck it in the chamber sleeve on my Redding comp seater and twisted it. Brought it back out and the only place it touched was at the neck/shoulder junction. At the time I was desperate for a 6ppc seater, after seeing this I shortened it and it worked fine for the ppc, I think it would work just as well for a 6ppc, 6mmbr, 6brx and even a 6XC. Since this is the case I would think they would work just well in any 6mm case with a shoulder 30* or less and shoulder diameter less than .460" like the .243win, 6x47L, and possibly the .222 family that has been necked up.

Of course when i seat a bullet i will always bump the case against the sleeve in the die a couple of times to let it center itself in the shellholder before raising the ram all the way.

 

[82boy]

For the life of me I dont understand why Redding dies are so popular. I have never had anything but problems with Redding dies.
I use Forster dies and love them.

 

[North Fork]

You should try the Wilson dies.

 

[RonAKA]

I have the same two Forster dies in 6BR and am quite happy with them. The only minor nit is the clarity of the scale on the Ultra Seater Micrometer. It may not look as classy, but I think if they used white paint in the grooves it would be easier to read especially in lower light.

On the Redding, don't have any, but frequently see posters report that the bushing sizes are not as stamped on the bushing.

 

[Firefighter]

< .002 Bullet TIR with Forster seater & Co Ax Press, great combo

 

[bozo699]

The only minor nit is the clarity of the scale on the Ultra Seater Micrometer. It may not look as classy, but I think if they used white paint in the grooves it would be easier to read especially in lower light.

Ron,
I would have to agree with you the lines for these wore out eyes are a little difficult to make out. Another thing I have noticed is the bushing die seems to size much further up the n/k then the Reddings do. That is one of the biggest complaints of mine with the Reddings is in order to n/k turn the brass you have f/length size with a standard sizing die,now your n/k tension is way off I am starting to see more and more benefits with the Forster dies and less and less with the Redding, there may be a big sale on Redding dies and bushings soon on the tool forum.

DCRYDER,
I should have been more specific I meant to say I wonder if they would ream .100 on the sizing die not the seater die. Right now the way I understand it in order to resize the base of the 6brx case you have to use a .308 die, I was wondering if you just reamed another .100 if there is enought meat to do it out of the resizing die you wouldn't have to monkey around with the .308 die, anyway its just a thought.
Wayne.

 

[DCRYDER]

AH, the resizer. I'd bet a fellow would be able to get a resizer reamer made from PT&G, then send it to Redding and have some dies made. This would be a really good GROUP BUY! If 5-6 people chipped in they may not cost each person but $90-$100. I would definately be in on that.

Keep me posted.

 

[strobes]

Reloading: Seating Die Runout Seating Die Induced Runout - A Comparison
by German A. Salazar

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/09/reloading-seating-die-runout.html

 

[Scott Harris]

Both great dies. I did detailed experiments of the FL sizing dies and found my forster produced less runout. But it was a Forster honed neck vs a Redding FL/B: not apples to apples. Also, I think the Redding dies are a much closer match to my PT&G chamber. I noticed much more body sizing on the Forster. Also, did not see any difference on target and went back to Redding dies. The Redding seating die is outstanding: no complaints.

 

[338Lapua]

I have 2 of the Redding Competition Bushing Neck Die sets…… I am very happy with there tolerances, But on my third purchase of this product, I was quite disappointed because it was not up to there usual standard.
After contacting them by e-mail, I was dissatisfied with the response I received and promptly sent them back to Sinclair for exchange. I purchased the Wilson strait line dies which do a great job and there also much cheaper the redding die. So now I use strait line dies were I can.. And a Redding body die and comp shell holders for bumping the shoulder and controlling headspace.

 

[Martin52]

I have a Redding FLS bushing die which resizes my .308 Lapua brass with less than 2 thou run out, on average. To minimise working of the brass I have been considering moving to a Forster bushing bump die but have heard they are very sensitive to shoulder set back which may produce a slight bulge in the case. Usually this wouldn't concern me as I set back 1-2 thou max. but I am interestd to hear if this is a real issue or not. Anyone had this problem ? Also interested in the run out you're getting from the Forster (bushing bump) die. Also considering a Hornady custom die.
Martin

 

[RonAKA]

I set my Forster bushing/bump die to set the shoulder back 0.001". No issues with chambering, and a fired or bumped case drops freely into the case. In fact I use the die body to measure the base to shoulder dimension. I don't measure runout, so can't help you there. There does seem to be a slight donut on the ID where the neck meets the shoulder. A bullet just slips into the neck of a fired case but the pressure ring will not freely go past the donut. I don't worry about it though as I never seat the bullet anywhere that deep. I only size 2/3 of the neck.

 

[bozo699]

I set my Forster bushing/bump die to set the shoulder back 0.001". No issues with chambering, and a fired or bumped case drops freely into the case. In fact I use the die body to measure the base to shoulder dimension. I don't measure runout, so can't help you there. There does seem to be a slight donut on the ID where the neck meets the shoulder. A bullet just slips into the neck of a fired case but the pressure ring will not freely go past the donut. I don't worry about it though as I never seat the bullet anywhere that deep. I only size 2/3 of the neck.

The donuts are not caused buy the die, as long as your not seating deeper or use longer bullets there won't be a issue. If you do decide to go with a longer bullet, you could always ream the inside of neck to remove the donut. Ron I know you already know this I was just typing to hear my small brain rattle.
Wayne.