The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

hi folks, hopefully a quick question.

I currently use Redding dies for .308 and .223; in 223 I have the VLD seater stem.

I have heard that it is worth spending the extra on the Redding competition dies, but it is a lot extra. Is this the case?

I use Redding Comp but prefer the Forster micrometer seater and neck sizer, they are a lot less than Redding and give very good results.

Redding type 'S' for my 7mm

Am I likely to see a real difference from using the more expensive dies? I have 200 nice new shiny Lapua cases, some with minor dings in the neck, which could do with sizing, so before I use my current set wanted to ascertain if I will need improved dies - no sense doing them with the old ones if this the case!

The good thing about Forster is they are a lot cheaper than Redding, the results you get are as much down to press as dies. I use type S for .303 Brit but I think that is about all, the rest are competition/match dies of they are Redding and I do find the Forster give better results. The downside of running external bushing dies is Forster and Redding bushes are not interchangeable and I have quite a selection of bushed for my 7mm wildcat, at eleven quid ish each it is easy to have over GBP100 worth of bushes. I did make a couple as an experiment but they are a PITA to make to tolerance and ideally need hardening and grinding afterwards.

I have both Forster Benchrest & Redding competition dies and both are great.

To me the beauty is in the micrometer adjustment rather than messing about with screw-in dies and 'try it & see' adjustments.... Pain in the '*rse'.

My money goes to Redding for the clarity of the micrometer markings which are much better than Forsters.

I have a vld micrometer seater stem for my 223, best thing ever!

I just wonder how much additional accuracy I would see from a 200+ die. Not getting a massive answer of "lots! Get the redding asap" from looking in t'interweb, so thinking I'll get the seater stem and a normal neck sizing die.

Mr_Logic wrote:
I just wonder how much additional accuracy I would see from a 200+ die.

Is that 200+, two hundred pounds plus?!!! For one die?!!

For the set. But it's a lot!!

What rifle?