Your Die Choices

[Wincheringen]

Virtually all RCBS here. I see no particular reason to change.

 

[Guest]

I use mostly Hornady dies for my rifle loading. I have used Lee, Redding, Lyman, and RCBS dies as well, but I prefer Hornady.

 

[Oldtrader3]

About 80% of my dies are Forster now, plus some Redding dies and still have some older RCBS die calibers which are just fine. I have had seating stem fit and bullet marking issues with the newer RCBS dies and am converting to Forster BR Seaters.

All of my carbide are RCBS, except one set for handguns.

 

[FOTIS]

Fotis, have you ever tried Forsters?

Yes the benchrest model. Superb quality.

 

[sithlord6512]

My picks are similar to joelkd... (only major exception is I don't use crimp dies)

-Redding Body Die
-Lee Collet Die
-Forster or Redding Benchrest seating dies (Forster would be my number 1 choice because it is cheaper but is just as effective in producing straight ammo - at least in my limited experience).

I would would also recommend replacing Redding and Lee Rings with Sinclair/Hornady/Forster type rings (especially wrt to the Lee rings).

 

[300WSM]

I use RCBS. I also have Lyman.

Hornady rcbs, lyman seem to all be equally good. Word around the campfire is Lee stuff is a little lower quality...maybe not quality but a little rough around the edges. It does seem to work for people so :?:

 

[muleman]

Looking up at my shelf I'm about 40% RCBS, 40% Hornaday, 10% Redding, 5% each for Lyman and Forster. Some of that is driven by availibilty locally and what came with a rifle upon purchase. I really like the Forster ultra wth micrometer seater I have for the 270Bee. The Type "S" match Redding works really well. Lately I've been leaning towards the Hornaday New Dimension dies. They have a micrometer seater that can move die to die and I like their locking rings best.

Scott

 

[Guest]

I love the Forester Bench Dies I use for my 300 RUM, I've witnessed the difference using them vs the RCBS I used previously. Will not go back to them. Better consistency for me. The groups I have shot recently reflect the quality.

Don

 

[SJB358]

I love the Forester Bench Dies I use for my 300 RUM, I've witnessed the difference using them vs the RCBS I used previously. Will not go back to them. Better consistency for me. The groups I have shot recently reflect the quality.

Don

I am with you Don. Forster's from here on out for me as well. They aren't much more money and they seem to be very well designed. I would change out what I have in others if it weren't so expensive!

 

[DrMike]

My sole complaint about Forster is that they don't offer the extensive selection available with other manufacturers. Some of my cartridges are not represented by Forster.

 

[Guest]

I may make the switch for the 30-06 & 35 Whelen if available, but I can't remember if the Whelen is available at this point. Will research that one later.

Don

 

[sask boy]

Yes like the 35 Whelen forester does not make them to the best of my knowledge
Oh well I don't have my 35 Whelen yet anyways
Soon I hope :lol:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Guest]

Oh well, at least I can get them in 30-06. My Whelen RCBS dies will do for now.

Don

 

[BK]

Nothing wrong with Redding dies! And I'm sure they are offered.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Find?dimension ... archQuery=

Unfortunately, no micrometer seater.

 

[Guest]

I've heard good things about Redding, product is real quality built.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Redding are good dies. I have a couple sets and they turn out fine, accurate ammo consistantly. They would be my second choice if Forster is not available for a particular caliber (i.e. .338 Federal)

 

[BK]

My sole complaint about Forster is that they don't offer the extensive selection available with other manufacturers. Some of my cartridges are not represented by Forster.

I thought that too. Then I made a list. Turns out that there's really not that many that aren't covered:
.17 Rem
6.5 Creedmoor
.300 Savage
.300 H&H
.358 Win
.35 Whelen
.416 Rigby
.250 Savage (future)
.264 WM (future)
8 RM (future)

All the Weatherbys are covered (except the .220 Rocket and anything .338-378 or bigger) 6.5x47 Lapua, STW, RSAUMs, RUMs (except the .338?).

 

[usmc 89]

I like the Forsters, Reddings and RCBS in that order. After getting a few sets of Forsters, I kinda wished I had them for everything..

agree with you on the forster dies that is what i have been buying where available custom dies however i use redding.

 

[SJB358]

I like the Forsters, Reddings and RCBS in that order. After getting a few sets of Forsters, I kinda wished I had them for everything..

agree with you on the forster dies that is what i have been buying where available custom dies however i use redding.

I did get a set of Redding's for the 444 Marlin. I like to support Redding, they gave me some excellent customer service over the years and are made from near where I grew up as well.

 

[AzDak42]

I guess I"m the odd man out. 100% Hornady: 35 Whelen, .308, 7mm RM, 7mm-08, 243, 223

I've probably not gotten savvy enough as a reloading to know what I'm missing out on. But they work just fine and on the rifles I'm shooting, the ammo/rifle is better than I am.