Reloading Dies - Need Guidance

[Phil3]

I am new to reloading and need some help on what dies to purchase for a bolt action rifle that is primarily bench rest or perhaps F-Class. Caliber is likely to be 6BR, Dasher, or possibly for F-Class, .308. I may join the NBRSA and need good ammo.

Are there any meaningful difference in performance and features between Forster and Redding? I know I will need a micrometer type bullet seating die, but I am not so sure about resizing dies. There seems to be considerable debate regarding the use of full length,FL), full length bushing dies, neck sizing dies, and body dies. There may be more. ??? I am not 100% clear on exactly how all these function or are best used with one another, and would appreciate some guidance. I am trying to understand the terminology, so I need some explanations in layman's terms.

Unless otherwise recommended, I was going to buy the Forster Co-Ax press.

Thank you.

- Phil

 

[Winchester69]

If the cost is not prohibitive, the Forster press will serve you well. Benchresters may tell you that you will want an arbor press and hand dies,Wilson) to to seat your bullets for their competitions. Bench Rest and F-Class don't share a lot in common.

Read Glen Zediker's Handloading for Competition. It will tell you all you need to know about case necks such that you will understand what die you will need.

 

[Phil3]

I am OK with the cost of the Forster press. I don't really understand what an arbor press is and why it is superior to something like a Forster. If portability is it, I am not interested in reloading at the range, which is what I think some BR guys do.

Are you saying benchrest and F-Class do not share a lot in common in regards to ammo construction?

I have Glen Zediker's book, Handloading for Competition. At first, I was thrilled it had so much info, but the writing style makes reading it painful. I have had it for some time, and have to reread sections to try and extract the info out of it.

Between Forster and Redding dies, any reason to spend the extra for Redding?

- Phil

 

[Steve Blair]

With 6mm BR Redding Competition neck and seater dies, my Forster Co-Ax press produces runout of .0005-.0015. I formerly checked runout on every cartridge but now only check 2 or three per hundred to make sure the setup has not changed.

The Co-Ax has power and precision. What's not to like? The price will only hurt once.

 

[Winchester69]

The biggest difference between BR and others is due to loading at the range: the BR'ers use easily-metered powders that are not appropriate for long range. Also, the BR'ers use low pressure loads that do not usually require FL sizing.

Forster, except for their new neck sizing bump die, doesn't have a bushing sizer. They will custom fit the neck of their FL die to your spec. Redding allows you to adjust the FL die to fit your brass. Otherwise, it doesn't matter very much which brand of dies you use.

 

[Moderator]

The biggest difference between BR and others is due to loading at the range: the BR'ers use easily-metered powders that are not appropriate for long range. Also, the BR'ers use low pressure loads that do not usually require FL sizing.

Correct as to powders used in short-range benchrest. Absolutely incorrect regarding pressures. The short-range guys probably, on average, run the highest pressures you'll find in any discipline. The vast majority full-length-size their 6 PPC cases with every loading. This is typically done with a compact '0'-style press, at the range. Many guys also use a portable combo press such as the Harrells.

 

[LHSmith]

The biggest difference between BR and others is due to loading at the range: the BR'ers use easily-metered powders that are not appropriate for long range. Also, the BR'ers use low pressure loads that do not usually require FL sizing.

If BR'ers is a reference to point blank Benchrest competition.....I beg to differ.The loads used are typically on the extreme high pressure end as most use custom actions which allow one to do so safely...and typically this is where the optimum accuracy node lies.
FLS is more prevalent that NS and some of us do indeed pre-load.....especially if we're shooting more than one gun.
Some of the top competitors use the inexpensive RCBS Jr. press.......it's matching the dies to your chamber that COUNTS

 

[infantrytrophy]

I'm surprised that no one so far has mentioned that one of the primary factors in loaded round runout is the quality of the brass.

I have used Redding and Forster dies in a Co-Ax press to produce over 3,000 rounds in .223 caliber. Most of these had very low runout,.001 or less). Some of the rounds had runout of up to .002, rarely .003. Most of the time the rounds with the higher runout corresponded with variance in the neck wall thickness of the brass.

Most of my .223 rounds were loaded in LC or WCC brass. When I started loading 6BR rounds for a new match rifle, I bought some Lapua Brass. Although I have loaded only about 100 6BR rounds so far, all these have runout of .001 or less. These rounds were loaded in the Forster Co-Ax press and a Redding competition seating die. I have no doubt, based on my experience with the Forster seater in .223 caliber, that a 6BR Forster seating die would perform just as well as the Redding die.

The Lapua Brass in 6BR is excellent. The neck wall thickness is very consistent. This is probably the reason for the very low runout in the 6BR loaded rounds. Although high-quality press and dies are important, high brass quality is essential.

Randy Sikes

 

[Winchester69]

If BR'ers is a reference to point blank Benchrest competition.....I beg to differ.The loads used are typically on the extreme high pressure end as most use custom actions which allow one to do so safely...and typically this is where the optimum accuracy node lies.

Thanks for correcting my misconception.

 

[cmillard]

i would check out some wilson hand dies. sinclair international has a nice setup including arbor press for as little as $200. or you can contact jim carstensen here in iowa for the best of the best in hand dies--or have him modify your current dies.

 

[Steve Blair]

Infantrytrophy is, of course, correct about brass. You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear without a lot of effort.

I use Lapua in .223, 6mm BR, 6.5 X 55, .308 and .30-'06 and have never had a reason to complain. Norma brass seems to be as consistent but is not as durable. Winchester brass is as durable but is not as consistent. Now, if Lapua would make .22-250 cases...