Redding Competition Dies......FL or NK?

[FireBallGuy]

Decided to dig in for a set of these babies, as I wish to extract the best I can from my guns. I know this debate has been beaten to death allready but I need some questions answered before I drop the cash on these dies. It is fairly well known that most competitive shooters FL size thier brass. I am a hunter, using hunting rifles, not custom one off pieces. Brass life is of concern to me as much as being able to control neck tension on my cases. I have for the most part been neck sizing for several years with no problems but these dies are not cheap and I wish to make the right choice. So what will it be? FL or NK?

[RAMOS]

FBG,
I'am no expert on these "fancy" dies. However, I went with the FL bushing die and competition seater as recommended by RIO and others here. You can adjust this die to accomplish FL sizing, neck only sizing or pull the guts out and use it much like a body die. I only have 200 rounds through these dies as I just received them last week. Sizing and seating are much smoother than my Hornady dies. The competition seater is a dream come true in adjustment and concentricity. Again, not an expert but, glad I bit the bullet and spent the money.

[FireBallGuy]

Thank you Ramos, I am leaning this way as well. A properly set up FL is likely the best option. I have read the same thing about these dies and that is why I want them.

[jo191145]

FBG

You said it yourself. Properly set up!!! Anything else is just tweaked factory ammo and short brass life.
Since I switched to a Redding FL bushing die I haven't looked back. I've neck sized and shoulder bumped. Both work fine for awhile.
If you never abuse your brass with hot loads they can work good for a longtime.
The omly time I want to feel my brass chamber is fireforming.
I shoot a 6ppc too. Smallest groups are found when pushing that cartridge to the max. Not book data max. The real max up near 80'000CPU.
Necksizing is not an option unless you have the money to chuck that brass shortly after fireforming.
A few top competitors will do just that. My wallet is not that deep. Most others aren't either.

[FireBallGuy]

Thank you jo.....you said a mouthfull! I have almost been neck sizing exclusively for years based on old assumptions that FL sizing seriously reduced the life of brass.....as we all know.....when done PROPERLY....this is not the case. I am going to try what I have recently learned in a problamatic remington I have to see if it makes a differece.