Turning necks for standard FL dies???

[Canuckenstein]

Since you mentioned this and I haven’t invested in micrometer type seating dies yet , are the Redding’s better than the Forster seater’s also?

Same same but different. I prefer Forsters price point. They are great value for the dollar. I get consistent .001-.002 max run out at the ogive. On the 7mm Rem. I had old 1970s RCBS dies inducing runout on my 6.5x55 I took a already sized case that was giving .008 run out ran it through my just arrived Forster and it took it down to .003 I repeated this four more times with the same result. Fired unsized cases giving 0 runout gave .0005 sized(if that).

 

[INTJ]

If you want to take a step better sell the Forster dies and buy Redding.

Redding dies are not better than Forster dies. I have several sets of both and like them for different things. For most of my rifles, the Forster BR series with the micrometer top seater can't be beat. It works with no fuss.

For my non-BR rifles that need necks turned, Redding bushing dies work very well. I think I like Redding's micrometer top seater a little better, but not by much. I always use the carbide floating expander with Redding. No upgrades are needed for the Forster with its elevated expander.

The only bad die I have ever had was from Redding. It made the necks crooked. I sent it back to Redding. They sent it back and they said nothing was wrong with it. I started using a different die and the issue was resolved immediately. I still don't know why that die didn't work.

When I want to be the most precise, I get a Custom Whidden sizer die and pair that with a Wilson inline seater. That is the best solution, though it really only matters when you genuinely need BR level accuracy. There are other custom die makers that do a great job, and there is always the option to chamber your own dies.

However, for 99% of what most of us do, Forster and Redding work equally well. To be honest, other brands of dies like RCBS, Hornady, and Lee work very well too. Though I haven't used any, I am sure Lyman dies are fine too. The key is to use what we are most comfortable with.

 

[Canuckenstein]

I had the same experience.
“It made the necks crooked. I sent it back to Redding. They sent it back and they said nothing was wrong with it.”

They blamed the press.

 

[Canuckenstein]

I just want to state I’m not hacking on RCBS or anything the I have some great dies by them. I also have really good hornady,Lee and Lyman dies. My hornady .223 dies make .001-.002 run out ammunition. I just like the confidence having Forster gives me. Excellent products.

 

[ronemus]

Since you mentioned this and I haven’t invested in micrometer type seating dies yet , are the Redding’s better than the Forster seater’s also?

The Forster seater is much better - the metallurgy and geometry are better than the Redding, so the stem doesn't bell and gall the sleeve.

For sizing dies I prefer Hornady; the elliptical expander is as good as a mandrel and doesn't require an extra step. I shoot enough that I work hard on efficient techniques that still produce good ammo.

 

[vegas]

Expander Mandrels and Neck Tension​

https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/reloading/expander-mandrels-and-neck-tension/

View attachment 1209846

I’m curious about the Sinclair and K&M products. As far as precision and consistency goes, is one product regarded as being better than the other? Neck tension is an area I have struggled with due to using standard FL dies and the expander ball when trying to ring out lower SD’s with my loads. I like the window riser of the K&M tool, it seems like it would be useful.

Thanks.