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I already have Redding Full size and seating dies for my calibers. Im wondering If I should get The Lee Collet delux kit or just the Collet neck die. It aint that much more to just get the Delux set. About $10 more and get the 2 other dies What are the Lee Seater die and full length dies like compared to my Reddings. Are they made just like the Reddings or do they have sleeves or slideing seaters or something? | ||
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Just get the Collet. In general, Lee's dies are serviceable, but that is about it. I fact, when I have to buy a Lee seater (as part of a Collet die set), I loose it pretty quickly. The seater you want is a Forster! If you feel rich, get the Ultra model with the micrometer, and if you feel the pinch the regular BR seater works just as well, but is a bit more fiddly to adjust. The Redding Competition seaters are a take-off of the Forsters. The Forsters are not finished quite as nicely as the Reddings, but only cost a fraction... And if you also want a FL - get the Forster FL to go with the seater. Then forward the FL die to Forster and have them hone the inside die neck to a diameter you specify (loaded round neck diameter minus .003 or .004"). Cost: $10 plus shipping. Also have them remove the expander ball. Now you can FL size without the use of an expander: presto VERY straight cases! Forster FL (modified as above), Forster seater and Lee Collet is a darn good die set-up, all for a reasonable price (considering the quality). - mike ********************* The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart | |||
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Thanks MHO, I had called redding and asked about their Type S full length neck bushing die. Q.Can I use the full S bush die and neck size only, adjusted like I do with my standard die ful die for necking. A. His answer wasnt very good. " you can try depends on the cardrige tapper". Q. Can I take the expander ball out of my S Full neck die. A. Yes , But it wont work right. I just got vague answers from who ever I talked to at redding. I guess the redding S bushing Floats in the die. Im not sure how that effects things | |||
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Hey mike Good advice. I tend to not use the Lee Seaters either. Got a bunch for sale cheap! So if you have the honed out Forster FL and the Lee Collet, which one do you use? I suppose if you coordinated the Lee Collet mandrel, neck thickness of the brass and size of the Forster die, then you could use the Forster to initially resize and then resize with the Lee Collet. That way you would initially resize with very little runout but would have the imperfections in neck thickness on the inside of the neck and then move them to the outside of the neck with the Lee Collet. The Lee Collet is very good about not introducing runout so it would work good after the Forster Fl honed out die. Maybe  ____________________________________ There are those who would misteach us that to stick in a rut is consistency - and a virtue, and that to climb out of the rut is inconsistency - and a vice. - Mark Twain | Chinese Proverb: When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others. ___________________________________ | |||
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Depends on whether I want to NS or (P)FL size. I have to admit to liking FL sizing these days, as it makes chambering the cartridge a bit smoother. On the other hand, NS with a Collet Die is faster (no lube to mess with), and does not cause cases to stretch as much. It also depends on what the rifle likes, some are particular to NS and others to FL sizing. Can't figure out what makes the difference?? In general, these days I mostly use the modified Forsters, though. - mike ********************* The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart | |||
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The bullet does the same thing when you seat it. The way to go is the Forster full length die with the neck honed and the Ultra Seater. | |||
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ireload2 You might be right. I'm just not sure if the bullet grip would be inconsistant or not. I will have to try the Forster Ultra Seater. Right now my first choice is the RCBS Competition Seater or the Redding Competition Seater. I have 2 of the Reddings and 6 of the RCBS Competition seaters. That side window in the RCBS is very handy and easy to get used to. ____________________________________ There are those who would misteach us that to stick in a rut is consistency - and a virtue, and that to climb out of the rut is inconsistency - and a vice. - Mark Twain | Chinese Proverb: When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others. ___________________________________ | |||
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I don't know about the RCBS Seater, but the Forster seater is not better than the Redding Competition seater - just more economical. The Redding is finished a bit better, but otherwise the Redding is pretty much a re-make of the Forster. Both of them are top notch dies. - mike ********************* The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart | |||
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The only dies that I know of with sliding alignment sleeves are RCBS and Redding Competition series, Forsters, and Hornady seaters. Hornady is the least expensive of all of them, and they work very well for me. They accept an optional micrometer adjusting screw, and disassemble for cleaning while still on the press without affecting the settings. Mine in 45 colt is also an excellent roll crimper (even while seating). The older style RCBS competition seater dies (window type dies) require an extended shell holder for anything 308 class and shorter. I don't think the newer ones do, but check it out before you buy. Can't speak for the Redding and Forster seaters, but they have excellent reputations. Andy | |||
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The last 2 I purchased in a 22-250 and a 6.5x55 came with an extended shell holder, so they come with one if needed. ____________________________________ There are those who would misteach us that to stick in a rut is consistency - and a virtue, and that to climb out of the rut is inconsistency - and a vice. - Mark Twain | Chinese Proverb: When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others. ___________________________________ | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Reloading Lee seater, and full size die Question
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