Dezman

I use the Redding competition seating. Originally I loaded with MG CMJ but due to cost switched to Xtremes. The Redding die seats on the ogive of the bullet. I measure COAL (bullet tip to bottom of case) as part of my set-up and inspection. I found when measuring to the ogive on the Xtremes, the dims were consistent. My assumption is the ogive on the Xtremes are not consistent in dimension to the tip of the bullet. I took a 1/4" aluminum rod and machined a small groove around the diameter and placed a small o-ring in the groove. I pressed this piece into the seating die so now the die seats on the tip of the bullet. Now my COAL is consistent.

I went through the same thing and was told by Redding to get the dual ring die. My comment to them was I already paid top dollar for a die and didn't expect to get a response to buy another higher priced die to fix their design flaw. I had a few experiences like this with Redding and have jumped off the Redding bandwagon for pistol dies. Maybe they are the way to go for rifle. I bought a Lee U Die and never looked back.

I started loading .40 with Redding dies for my STI. I shoot USPSA a few times a month and ran into issues with Glock bulge since I use range brass. I bought the Redding GRX push through setup and asked a a few of the guys (veterans) in the squad what dies they use. All were using the Lee U die and Lee FCD. When I told them what I was using they asked, "If you are using a progressive press, why would you want to do an extra step on a single stage. Get the U die and spend the time you save on shooting instead of reloading." I bought the Lee U die and never looked back. I know the EGW die is a modified U die with slightly different specs but the U die was readily available when I purchased mine a few months ago. The case dims after the U die have consistent and feed great in my STI. I just purchased a Lee FCD and will be changing that out on my press whe it arrives. Here's how I set up my crimps which may have been mentioned in an earlier post. 1) Measure bullet width 2) Measure case wall thickness and multiply by 2. 3) Add step 1 & 2 and subtract .001 - .002. This will be your target dimension when you measure your case at the crimp on a finished round. 4) Make a round and measure to ensure you are at your target dimension. 5) Pull the bullet and make sure there are no indentations on the bullet. You don't want to over pressurize the round with a tight crimp. If indentations are present, back off the crimp and repeat. When I setup my expander, I make fine adjustments until I can just fit the bullet in the case. The bullet should be able to stand in the case on its own so you dont have to hold it as you raise the ram in the press. The photos you posted were belled way too much for my liking. I think the less the brass has to be reshaped from expanding to crimping, the more consistent the crimp results and less stressing the of the brass case.

I started shooting USPSA a few months ago and really like the Texas star. I learned a technique that has helped me plan the shots better for a quicker time. The top plate of the star usually leans to one side or the other. This is one of the things I pay close attention to before engaging the first shot. Let say the top plate is leaning to the right at 1 o'clock. The Texas Star is telling you to shoot in a clockwise pattern by pointing in that direction. Always shoot the top plate first. After shooting the top plate, you will notice the star will rotate in a counter clockwise direction (clockwise if the top plate points to the left). Now plan on shooting the plates clockwise at the star rotates counter clockwise. Each plate will come up into your field of view and you won't have to move the gun very much assuming you hit a plate on each pull of the trigger. Take your shot when the star pauses motion just before it swings back in the other direction. I have seen a 4 - 5 plates stacked on the ground in a pile when using this technique. This technique can get you into single digit times. Here's a video of me during practice that you can get a better idea of the technique.