Whidden FL bushing sizing die and seaters?

[TrxR]

Am seriously considering ordering a set of 308 Dies from John Whidden , but was looking for some feedback and couple of quick answers. How would you compare the quality to forster or redding?

Can they sizing die be used without the decapping pin?

I read somewhere that they are designed to be a close match to the PT&G match reamers. Would the be a good match to the 308 F/TR reamer?

Also anyone know if he will ship to Canada?

Thanks

 

[GSPV]

I've got a custom 30 BR on order for my son's rifle. 3 fired cases + my reamer print were used.

I obviously can't say anything about the quality of the die, but I can tell you that they have been great to work with.

 

[articmp]

I bent the pin on mine on case number 10 of the 200 new pieces of brass I sized. Quality is way better than Forster, and the mic seater is spot on for measure on seating. I was able to size my brass with only removing the decap pin.

 

[TrxR]

I plan on decapping with a wilson punch set before I clean so the the decapping pin is basically useless to me. Im really thinking of buying a set of these. Just waiting to hear if he will ship to canada.

 

[Erik Cortina]

I plan on decapping with a wilson punch set before I clean so the the decapping pin is basically useless to me. Im really thinking of buying a set of these. Just waiting to hear if he will ship to canada.

Why don't you use a universal decaping die?

 

[TrxR]

I would prefer to keep the mess off my press and its something I can do while spending time with friends this way.

 

[6BRinNZ]

I decap first and then size...I left the decapping pin in the Redding die - sure it isn't doing anything but it doesn't matter either...just a thought for your Whidden die.

 

[savageshooter86]

OP-- Whidden dies are top notch. I feel sure he will ship to Canada. I watched him make several dies and the inside finish is smooth as glass. If you want, send him a few fired cases and he will make the die based off those. Call and talk to him directly if you would like and he will answer all your questions. His seating dies are good also and are not the same as Forster seating die. His are different

I got a FL non bushing die and it is very nice. Sizes good from what I can tell so far.

 

[lawrence97]

I just received my FL bushing dies a couple of days ago. Shipping was fast, they are good to deal with and the dies look very nice and smooth.
The only issue I had upon receipt was that the decapping pin/expander button look off center when looking at the die from the bottom!

Not sure if the stem is not straight or the hole the stem screws into is off center. I called Whidden gunworks and he mentioned having seen a few dies that looked like that and was told to just try it and make sure there aren't any issues transferred to the brass or loaded rounds. They also mentioned if there are issues they would gladly replace.

Other than that great customer service and dies look nice

 

[savageshooter86]

lawrence you using that with your new CoAx press yet? I bet that combo is a pleasure reloading ammo with

 

[1911cwp]

So, they noticed the pin wasn't centered and they let it go out? Then said to try it and see what happens. I don't get this at all. :

 

[lawrence97]

Whoever answered the ph. told me he had seen some that weren't quite centered and said to try it out and if I noticed the rounds had too much runout to send the dies back but I will probably go ahead and do that.

He explained that while threading the stem in or out that there would be play because the threads are not fine but that everything should be centerd once the stem is locked in.

I guess it won't really matter because I think it is best to not run the expander ball if using bushings. All I would need is the stem with decapping pin.

Just paying for something custom, I expect everything to lineup and maybe have tighter threads and less slop.

I can take pics and try posting.

Savage, the press should arrive sometime his week so I have not tried it!