Competition dies

shadowdrak · Rookie Member Joined: May 18, 2008 Posts: 13

I was wondering what the most used competition dies out there are? I was looking at getting the RCBS Gold Medal die set. Just wanted to know what the advantages and disadvantages are for these type of dies. The thing I can find is that all the case necks will have to be pretty uniform in thickness for the neck bushing dies to work consistently.

SingleShotLover · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: Competition dies

That is true of any sizing dies, but especially neck sizing dies. Neck wall thickness is critical to proper bullet tension and run out. Of course, chances are pretty good that if a case neck is too thick on one side, that thickness runs the length of the case and will still affect accuracy even if neck-turned.

FALPhil · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:41 am Post subject: Re: Competition dies

When I want to load super accurate ammo, my tendencies tend to run towards Redding dies. That being said, some of the most accurate ammo I ever loaded was using a Lee Deluxe set of dies.

chambered221 · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:20 am Post subject: Re: Competition dies

Redding dies are probably the most popular

The bushing die gives you the ability to adjust neck tension.
They work the brass less and the ball expander is not needed.
The Redding bushings are also available with a nitride finish so no lube is needed if neck sizing only.

The competition bullet seating dies align the bullet before it starts seating them to keep the bullet as straight as possible.

The disadvantage would be the cost of these dies

As for uniform wall thickness, bad brass is bad brass no matter what die your using.

wncchester · Member Joined: Apr 08, 2006 Posts: 160

"I was wondering what the most used competition dies out there are? I was looking at getting the RCBS Gold Medal die set."

MOST popular would be either Redding or Forster BR/Competition dies. They both have the same type of seating chamber that completely encloses the case before seating starts and that's a good thing.

Forster has, IMHO, the best FL sizers because of the ability to run the expander ball up the stem to start expanding the moment the neck starts out of the die neck. That helps insure straight necks, without which no seater can make straight ammo.

Anyone wanting the best expander for cases, bar none, tend to use the Lyman "M" die. It's sold for aiding straight loading of cast bullets but it works equally well with jacketed bullets.

I believe the best neck sizer for factory rifles is the Lee Collet Neck sizer. There is a learning curve to using it and if you aren't willing to spend the time doing so it is better to stick with more conventional neck sizers.

Other than the very nice to use side-loading bullet window in the RCBS dies, I have never heard of anyone getting consistantly good work with them. That is they don't have a reputation of loading any better ammo than conventional dies. And them RCBS dies are so EXPENSIVE They make Redding's look reasonable!

woods · Member Joined: Oct 15, 2005 Posts: 89

Neck Sizing Dies
1. Lee Collet Neck Sizer
2. Redding Bushing Type S
3. Any other, last resort

FL Dies
1. Redding Body Die
2. Any other, last resort

Seaters
1. RCBS Gold Medal Seater
2. RCBS Competition Seater
3. Redding Competition Seater
4. Forster Competition Seater

Crimp
1. Lee Factory Crimp Die
2. No crimp

Get a cheap Lee Collet Neck Sizer and a cheap Redding Body Die, spend your money on the Seater.