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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,825
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,825 |
What’s the consensus us on rifle dies these days. Almost all mine are RCBS, but I haven’t bought any in 30 or 40 years. I just purchased a “budget “ rifle in a new-to-me cartridge (which shall remain unnamed ) and wondering if a particular brand stands out. THANKS
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,953
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,953 |
Redding.
For whatever reason I haven't had any luck with RCBS dies.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,293
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,293 |
If you're just looking to reload, then RCBS is good stuff. I have a lot of their equipment and no complaint. But if you want the moa stuff then Redding is my go to especially in the bullet seating.
I'd rather die in a BAD gunfight than a GOOD nursing home.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,102
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,102 |
Redding mostly but have a few sets of RCBS dies that do the trick.
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,488
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,488 |
I use plain ol RCBS for .30-30 and .375 Winchester, but for my bolt guns it's Lee Collet dies for neck sizing, Redding body dies when needed, and Forster Benchrest seaters. If collet dies are unavailable for a cartridge I'll use bushing neck die. Haven't ordered a custom collet die, yet.
Don't be the darkness.
America will perish while those who should be standing guard are satisfying their lusts.
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 56
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 56 |
Lee has been rising thru the ranks ... give them a good look before you pull the trigger... no pun intended.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 588
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 588 |
Do or do not, there is no try.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,959
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,959 |
Yep. I'm not a fan of run out, so I'm a Forster fan as well.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,792
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,792 |
Yep. I'm not a fan of run out, so I'm a Forster fan as well. Me too. John
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 33
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 33 |
I just started using some Forster dies a couple of years ago and have been impressed so far. Not to hijack the thread but has anyone tried their neck bump dies? They sound like a great idea to me. Other than that, it's RCBS and Redding.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,073
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,073 |
Yep. I'm not a fan of run out, so I'm a Forster fan as well. My favorite. Redding a close second. Hasbeen
hasbeen (Better a has been than a never was!)
NRA Patron member Try to live your life where the preacher doesn't have to lie at your funeral
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,313
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,313 |
For small to medium bores where I'm trying to get maximum accuracy, I generally buy an inexpensive RCBS or Lee sizer to start. If there's a Forester seater available, I'll buy that - great dies. If not I'll get a cheap seater too. Then in either case I'll make some fired cases and order a micrometer bushing sizer from Whidden and a seater too if Forester doesn't make one.
I almost always use a Lee factory crimp die. I've noticed no variation in accuracy or maximum safe velocity, powder charges go down a hair (making more case space), and the mechanical robustness of the ammo goes way up compared to just a couple thousandths neck tension.
I avoid Redding seaters because I'm sick of them not hardening them and then bitching when people want to shoot compressed loads. It's not 1957, powders have gotten slower, and Redding needs to get with the times.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 12,153
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 12,153 |
Forster benchrest die sets are my default choice.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 24,292
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 24,292 |
Anybody use the the RCBS competition dies ? The gold medal seating die looks good , bullet drops into the Die from a side window and rides in a sleeve keeping it entering the case straight thoughout the seating stroke .
PRESIDENT TRUMP 2024/2028 !!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Bristoe The people wringing their hands over Trump's rhetoric don't know what time it is in America.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,488
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,488 |
I avoid Redding seaters because I'm sick of them not hardening them and then bitching when people want to shoot compressed loads. It's not 1957, powders have gotten slower, and Redding needs to get with the times.
What's this all about?
Don't be the darkness.
America will perish while those who should be standing guard are satisfying their lusts.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,073
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,073 |
Anybody use the the RCBS competition dies ? The gold medal seating die looks good , bullet drops into the Die from a side window and rides in a sleeve keeping it entering the case straight thoughout the seating stroke .
I have some of the first they introduced. Came in wooden boxes. You can change the sleeve and stem and use the same body for different calibers. I like the Forster dies better.
hasbeen (Better a has been than a never was!)
NRA Patron member Try to live your life where the preacher doesn't have to lie at your funeral
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,824
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,824 |
The regular RCBS Competition seaters have not produced runout numbers quite as good as the Forster and Redding sliding support sleeve dies. The Gold Medal RCBS description mentions a floating and self centering bullet seating system, and I haven't used that version to compare.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,322
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,322 |
Forster Redding RCBS
In that order
I may not be smart but I can lift heavy objects
I have a shotgun so I have no need for a 30-06.....
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,203
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,203 |
I mostly have RCBS, a few Redding, a couple Hornady dies.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,553
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,553 |
Almost all of my reloading dies are RCBS dies. Redding are fine, and I have some of them, too. I use RCBS competition seating dies in some calibers, and I have an old Vickerman seater I use for the 30-06. I like and use Lee Factory Crimp dies for much of my ammo reloading. RCBS customer service has been top notch in my experience.
NRA Endowment Life Member, G.O.A supporter
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