Competition Rifle Dies

[mjbine]

What are some good competition dies for .223 and 7mm mag? Redding or Hornady? Or is something better? I just trying to find out what is out there and what people are using.

Thanks

Mike

[Scout454]

Redding.

I've replaced 4 Hornady Competition seaters with Reddings - and then bought seven more Redding Competition seaters.

[John Dunn]

Redding

[tightloop]

Wilson straight line dies...with an arbor press..

[uscbigdawg]

Dillon. 'Cause for me, they're just as good as anything else. After that....Redding.

Rich

[Bollocks]

Hi,

Have a couple of Redding comp seaters but encountered a common problem with the 223 specimen.

The seatingstem of these dies is prone to cracking. And a cracked stem will damage the sleeve it sits in which in turn will damage (scratch) your bullets.

This is actually a common problem I found out, loads of high power shooters experienced it. Their advice was to get a Forster BR seater.

I already have a Forster BR seater in 308 and also a Redding comp one. When comparing them for bullet runout I can see no differences. According to the guys that have been using Forsters longer they are not prone to the seating stem cracking problem.

Another advantage is that the Forster die is much cheaper than the Redding one.

Cheers,

BolloX

[big_kahuna]

Currently use Forster for 223, 308 & 270... never had a problem. Very precise and repeatable.

[mjbine]

Guys,

Thanks for the replies.

Mike

[Malak]

Redding dies IMHO are second only to custom cut dies. But then again, it depends on what you are going to do with them...

[Bill T]

I have Competition Dies from Redding, and Forrester, (Bonanza). To me I like the RCBS Competition Dies the best because they have the nice handy little "window" in the side for bullet seating. If your a person that has large hands and fingers, (and I do), it really makes bullet seating much easier. I bought a set from Sportsmans Warehouse last year because it was the only set they had in .308. I'm really glad I did. The only thing I don't like about them is the graduations on the micrometer barrel aren't highlited and the micrometer seating stem is blued steel and very hard to read. I fixed the "problem" with some Bonanza Silver engraving filler I had left over. The numbers stand out like a sore thumb now. You could probably get the same result with a white Crayola Crayon. Bill T.

[Bollocks]

Hi BillT,

Have you ever measured the bullet runout when using that RCBS comp die? I have one too and the runout is not better than a std seater die. It doesn't even come close to the Redding and Forster.

Shooters in my surroundings using this die have the same experiences.

Cheers,

BolloX

[Bill T]

Hi BillT,

Have you ever measured the bullet runout when using that RCBS comp die?

To be very honest I have not. But you've now given me a good reason to do so. I'll let you know the next time I do a batch of .308. I have a Forrester, (Bonanza) Competition seater Die in .300 Weatherby and have never detected any objectionable runout with it. Bill T.