Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading Redding dies

I've been astounded by the unwavering precision of my Redding dies (for .40/10mm). Are most dies this reliable? Any other honorable mentions? Just was curious if my experience is going to be the same no matter what dies I use...

I’ve used Redding, RCBS, Forster and Lee. They all have worked very well. I doubt you will find many dies that don’t work well. I did (mostly) standardize on one brand and that was because I prefer the seaters over all others and I found the set up procedures to be fairly intuitive.

Redding Full length steel handgun dies are junk. I've had three sets and all are unfinished at the case mouth and aren't "full length" sizers.

I also don't care for their carbide handgun dies either and I've had a few. I've had three of them that shaved cases, and not just a little. Its probably why they came out with their dual ring product.
No issues with expander dies or seaters.

Their rifle dies are great. Never had issues with any of them.

So what dies are all you 40/10mm users running? Long ago I used RCBS and Hornady for handgun rounds, when I was taught.

Mine are RCBS in 40/10mm.

Thanks Hawk - are they carbide?

Yes they are.

RCBS handgun dies have always worked well for me, but I have pieced together die sets using other manufacturers' dies because I like to seat and crimp in separate operations and I prefer to lock down all the adjustments once they're set correctly. I also use an additional die at times for certain cartridges to get rid of excessive bulge near the case head. There are five separate dies in my .40 S&W die box.

I have the Redding dual ring .45 Colt sizer, simply because my Bisley sounded like jingle bells when you shook it. It helped that “problem”, though I’ve not noticed any appreciable increase in accuracy. Wouldn’t mind trying more of the same in .45 ACP and .38 Special.

Redding Rifle dies have been a bit of a letdown after reading so much about them. Oh well, at least they’ll tell you that it’s “in spec”🤣.

Currently using Lee for .45ACP, 9mm, and .38 Special and have zero complaints.

Good info, thanks folks.

I'm using RCBS Carbide dies for my 40's.

I've been buying Redding rifle dies lately and I'm happy with them. But I also have RCBS and Bonanza rifle dies that I have no complaints with.