Redding Type S Bushing Die - anyone using?
- Thread starter jepp2
- Start date
Redding Type-S Full Length Sizing Bushing Die
Using the FL S bushing die helped my accuracy, plus neck turning, and benchrest prep of the brass in 243win. Rem. 40X rifle & a old Rem. 600 carbine. Brass life is longer compared to standard RCBS dies because no expander is used. So far 16 & 18 loadings on the Win. brass. You will need about 3 bushings. Still using the RCBS seater.
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Using the FL S bushing die helped my accuracy, plus neck turning, and benchrest prep of the brass in 243win. Rem. 40X rifle & a old Rem. 600 carbine. Brass life is longer compared to standard RCBS dies because no expander is used. So far 16 & 18 loadings on the Win. brass. You will need about 3 bushings. Still using the RCBS seater.
Hammerhead
New member
Do you use a body die?
I used a Redding FL "S" bushing die for years, because it cost the most and looked the best of my .223 sizer dies.
Then I did a test with populations of brass dedicated to different dies.
The S die was the worst for eccentricity and case growth.
The Lee Collet neck die [cheapest and ugliest in the group] was the best, and it has been gathering dust for 5 years on my shelf.
RCBS and Forster were in the middle.
So I got to use the line from "Deliverance" when I looked in the mirror, 'You don't know nuth'n, do ya?"
Then I did a test with populations of brass dedicated to different dies.
The S die was the worst for eccentricity and case growth.
The Lee Collet neck die [cheapest and ugliest in the group] was the best, and it has been gathering dust for 5 years on my shelf.
RCBS and Forster were in the middle.
So I got to use the line from "Deliverance" when I looked in the mirror, 'You don't know nuth'n, do ya?"
Ideal Tool
Moderator
Hello jepp2. I use them for the .22 Hornet & .222 Rem. Also, a pre-war 7X57 Mauser sporter with oversize groove dia. that I am using cast-bullets in. Bullet dia. is .288, so with S die, I can custom size necks to needed dia. without sizing them way down for the std. 7mm bullet. & having to expand back up.
I mainly use Wilson bushing dies and seaters. I'd build a 280AI and 243AI I'd pick up Redding Type S FL and neck sizer for each rifle just to try.
Good dies I've shot some small groups using them and I like that they include a undersized retainer in place of the expander ball. On my non tight neck rifles I'll clean up the neck and Wilson bushing fit the Redding dies so I have a pretty good collection.
It's hard to say in a factory chamber rifle if groups will improve using bushing dies. For me if rifle got a good chamber having that option of using bushing dies to adjust neck tension may help fine tune a load.
Hard to say on brass life alot depends on how hard your pushing them.
Good dies I've shot some small groups using them and I like that they include a undersized retainer in place of the expander ball. On my non tight neck rifles I'll clean up the neck and Wilson bushing fit the Redding dies so I have a pretty good collection.
It's hard to say in a factory chamber rifle if groups will improve using bushing dies. For me if rifle got a good chamber having that option of using bushing dies to adjust neck tension may help fine tune a load.
Hard to say on brass life alot depends on how hard your pushing them.
Also, as Clark says, the inexpensive Lee Collet Die does the best job pretty consistently. See this video. It takes a little time to get used to the Lee (a learning curve) but it is just better in operating principle. As a bonus, its mandrel prevens the formation of the "dreaded donut" at the junction of the neck and shoulder that requires periodic inside neck reaming to clear out if your bullets seat that deeply.
I like to use the Lee Collet Die, then a Redding Body Die as a separate step to bump the shoulder back. This saves buying the bushings, so it is also a more economical combination. The only drawback is it involves running two sizing steps.
I like to use the Lee Collet Die, then a Redding Body Die as a separate step to bump the shoulder back. This saves buying the bushings, so it is also a more economical combination. The only drawback is it involves running two sizing steps.
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You can just leave the bushing out of the Redding FL S die to use it as a body die. The shoulder pulling is moslty caused by the expander. If you get all your case necks uniform and pick the bushing that gets the inside just right with no expander in place, that should, ideally, prevent the problem from occurring. As a matter of practice, though, I think some presses and shell holders can pull the case off a little before the neck fully clears the bushing.
I've become sold on the Lee Collet Die as a way to avoid the whole problem and avoid getting donuts in the neck.
I've become sold on the Lee Collet Die as a way to avoid the whole problem and avoid getting donuts in the neck.
Am using a Reddiing s neck die in 308. For autos it gets used after a full length sizing with another die. Neither sizing step uses a expander plug, unless a trimming sequence is needed. It has a real advantage when using different makes of brass, where the brass thickness is all over the map. When adjusted properly, the bushing "floats", and appears to keep the case neck aligned with the body.