Which would you use?

[Davey Boy]

I have a Dillon 3 pcs die set for .308 #15574 and a 2 pc. Redding 308/307 die set.

I want to FL my brass .002" shorter than my fired brass. Used to NS with Lee Collet dies, now want to FL and see if it makes a difference. In your opinion which is the best die set of the 2 to use. The expander buttons/ mandrels are different shaped. Dillon looks really smooth and the Redding is blunt shaped and checkered.

For you fellas that have used both, which do you prefer and why?

Thank you for your input.

 

[Homerange]

Not used either but the Redding looks the better choice for the smaller flash holes in Palma brass.

My 2c.

 

[chromatica]

Use an RCBS case gauge to measure the distance between the base and the shoulder on your FS die. Adjust the height of the die to get your .002 setback.

 

[dkhunt14]

I prefer to take the expander button out. I use an expander mandrel to expand. Redding has a carbide ball expander kit available. Matt

 

[Uncle Ed]

I prefer the Forster full length benchrest dies, with their high mounted floating expander. The neck of the case is held and centered in the neck of the die when the expander enters the case neck. Meaning if you measure your case neck runout it should be the same or less than the necks thickness variations. And if you neck turn it should be less than .001 neck runout.

In fact below I installed a Forster expander and spindle assembly in my Redding full length .243 die.

Installing the Forster expander does two things, it reduces neck runout, and greatly reduces expander drag/pull inside the case neck.

Bottom line buy the Forster die and if needed Forster will hone the neck of the die to your desired diameter for $12.50.

 

[Nature Boy]

I have used the Dillon .308 dies and they have been good. A while back I swapped the Dillon seater die for a Redding comp seater to get more repeatability in seating depth. I do not have any experience with their sizing die

However, recently I sent some fired brass off to Widden and had them make me a FL sizing die with mandrel.

Cutting to the chase, here’s a side by side of how the Widden sizing and seating dies did against the Dillon/Redding combo

 

[dminn1]

I have a Dillon 3 pcs die set for .308 #15574 and a 2 pc. Redding 308/307 die set.

I want to FL my brass .002" shorter than my fired brass. Used to NS with Lee Collet dies, now want to FL and see if it makes a difference. In your opinion which is the best die set of the 2 to use. The expander buttons/ mandrels are different shaped. Dillon looks really smooth and the Redding is blunt shaped and checkered.

For you fellas that have used both, which do you prefer and why?

Thank you for your input.

You might consider running a Redding body die to size your case body and using your existing Lee Collet die to size your neck. This method yields extremely straight ammunition with minimal working of the brass. Its also very easy to control neck tension with under size mandrels that are available from Lee or you can polish down your own custom mandrel with a drill and a piece of sandpaper in just a few minutes.

 

[Davey Boy]

You might consider running a Redding body die to size your case body and using your existing Lee Collet die to size your neck. This method yields extremely straight ammunition with minimal working of the brass. Its also very easy to control neck tension with under size mandrels that are available from Lee or you can polish down your own custom mandrel with a drill and a piece of sandpaper in just a few minutes.

So would you bump the shoulder back .002 with the FL die, then use the Lee NS die as per their (Lee) instructions. Or would you set up the NS die differently?

 

[Sniper338]

My opinion, nothing more..

With both dies and using a dillon, im assuming a progressive press?

That set up would be for bulk ammo imo.. not competition ammo. In that case id go with the Dillon. Dillon dies are good for bulk ammo. I have never used a crimp die on rifle rounds though, never seen the need. In this case just run with it, either die will work fine set up right. I know dillon dies are longer so they are easier to use on a dillon tool head, redding dies I gotta screw in from the bottom, thats on a dillon 650 tho.

If its competition ammo you want, im still all for single stage, measuring powder on a scale, and dies made for the gun type deal.

 

[dminn1]

So would you bump the shoulder back .002 with the FL die, then use the Lee NS die as per their (Lee) instructions. Or would you set up the NS die differently?

Bump the shoulder back your preferred amount in the body die and then use the Lee die as you normally would.

 

[Davey Boy]

My opinion, nothing more..

With both dies and using a dillon, im assuming a progressive press?

That set up would be for bulk ammo imo.. not competition ammo. In that case id go with the Dillon. Dillon dies are good for bulk ammo. I have never used a crimp die on rifle rounds though, never seen the need. In this case just run with it, either die will work fine set up right. I know dillon dies are longer so they are easier to use on a dillon tool head, redding dies I gotta screw in from the bottom, thats on a dillon 650 tho.

If its competition ammo you want, im still all for single stage, measuring powder on a scale, and dies made for the gun type deal.

Not competition, just competing with myself. Am using a Rock Chucker and I measure each powder weight. I'm getting MOA or just slightly under using off the self dies. Not getting fancy yet. Just trying to find out in this forums opinion which of the 2 FL dies might be the best to use for the best results. I know everyone has their preferences, I'm just trying to find those preferences out between the 2 dies.

 

[Homerange]

Not competition, just competing with myself. Am using a Rock Chucker and I measure each powder weight. I'm getting MOA or just slightly under using off the self dies. Not getting fancy yet. Just trying to find out in this forums opinion which of the 2 FL dies might be the best to use for the best results. I know everyone has their preferences, I'm just trying to find those preferences out between the 2 dies.

You might be better to work with your loads some rather than worry about trying to improve on LCD results.
I understand your need/wish to address case length when only using an LCD and depending on which die setup method used you will run into bolt closing issues but experimentation here is where you can solve this so to let the LCD do what it can....NS and control case length.

As the collet uses the shoulder to impart ram forces to the NS operation, setting the LCD correctly to use this force will maintain case length to where you might find just some minor resistance in closing the bolt but if the lugs have some slight lube there will be no concern over wear or galling.

Have a look at the John Valentine method of setting an LCD which is a bit different to what LEE prescribes as it uses the over center power of a press like your Rockchucker to impart more pressure onto the case shoulder so to get better case length management.

 

[Davey Boy]

You might be better to work with your loads some rather than worry about trying to improve on LCD results.
I understand your need/wish to address case length when only using an LCD and depending on which die setup method used you will run into bolt closing issues but experimentation here is where you can solve this so to let the LCD do what it can....NS and control case length.

As the collet uses the shoulder to impart ram forces to the NS operation, setting the LCD correctly to use this force will maintain case length to where you might find just some minor resistance in closing the bolt but if the lugs have some slight lube there will be no concern over wear or galling.

Have a look at the John Valentine method of setting an LCD which is a bit different to what LEE prescribes as it uses the over center power of a press like your Rockchucker to impart more pressure onto the case shoulder so to get better case length management.

Great article by John Valentine, going to keep in my files for reference and give it a try. Here it is for anyone else who wants to check it out.

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?49899-Lee-Collet-Die-Adjustment
here as well
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/tip-for-those-using-lee-collet-dies.3753910/