SmallCaliberCentral

Hello everyone...

New to the forum, but not to reloading. Currently use Lee, Redding and RCBS dies and was wondering if there was a "preferred" die set out there for the .204?

Got a new-to-me Savage on the way and want to get reloading for it ASAP.

Thanks!

Bob

You mentioned one of them, a Redding. Forester is probably my favorite, but I think Redding might be a tad better.

Welcome to the forum.

K22

On this forum at least, I think you'll find Redding the favored die brand. I know that I've replaced most of my dies for precision or varmint rifles with Redding, and I've solved a long standing runout problem I had using "other" dies. My average TIR now runs from zero to .0015" most of the time.

I stress the fact that to obtain this degree of TIR, the Redding Competition Seating Die is a must. I just wish they'd make one for the .17 Ackley Hornet!

Bite the bullet, buy Redding out of the gate, and admire those bughole groups on your target. Remember, you always get what you pay for.

For my long range equipment I use Redding (and the Redding Competition seating die). Some like the Lee Collet die and there is Wilson. I'll also put in a good word for the Forester Competition dies. I bought a set in .308 twenty years ago and they have served me well.

HTH,

Buy the redding dies!!

I should have guessed Redding would come out as the favorite.

I've had great success with their dies for my .243 and .22-250 reloading.

Ran into an issue with my Lee dies in .222 and .223 where I wasn't getting full length resizing and difficult chambering. Fixed that with a lock ring from my Lyman set but I think I'll stay away from Lee moving forward.

Thanks again for the input. Now, to find them as it seems MidWay and Natchez are either out or don't carry them.

Try Sinclairs, as they usually always have a good inventory of Redding dies.

Here's their list:

http://www.sinclairintl.com/prod_detail_list/Rifle-Dies

The nice thing about dealing with these guys, is that they're all very experienced shooters themselves, and well versed in the art of handloading. HTH.

RIO....PM sent

I purchased a set of Forster Benchrest dies a few years ago and have had no complaints in any area...

Old Turtle: Nobody would argue that Forester is also very good quality. What equipment on my bench is not Redding is most likely Forester here also.....very good stuff.

My old Forester case trimmer/hollow pointer/neck turner is still going strong after 35 years with repeatable accuracy every time.

I buy Forster dies when I can and Redding dies have worked very well for me as well. I have Redding dies for my 204s and have been very happy with the groups. I think that Forster are a better buy with comparable quality with Redding. Redding seems to have a better selection for the non-regular calibers.

Redding dies work well for me, great quality.