[Sak007]

I'm looking into getting a new seater die & I'm split between the Redding Competition Seater Die $112.00 and the Forster Ultra Seater Die $67.00 . Is the Redding really worth the extra money ?Does anyone have any experience with either of these for the 6.8 ?
http://www.sinclairintl.com/product/9216/68MM-Rem-SPC-Reloading-Dies Redding

http://www.sinclairintl.com/product/8583/68MM-Rem-SPC-Reloading-Dies Forster

 

[SPTiger]

I wondered the same thing. I have the Redding die for my .223 loads and I love it. Very precise and easy to use. I hope someone comes along soon to answer because I have no experience with the Forster. I spent all my spare green putting my 6.8 together so I would like to save a few bucks if the Forster is a good option.

 

[marinesg1012]

I wish I would of bought one with the micro adgustment.... I think I may order a replacment eventually.

 

[EWP]

I'm looking for a set of the Hornady dies, you can get a $20 micro adjuster to replace the top of their standard seating die and you end up with a Micro adjuster seating die that works just as good as the expensive ones for way less money.

Plus I love the floating sleeve that guides the bullet straight the whole time your are raising the ram to seat the bullet, it keeps it perfectly straight the whole way up so your not trying to hold the bullet straight until it enters the seating die. I have this setup for my .223 and love it compared to the other dies I have tried.

 

[marinesg1012]

NM i had a lapse....

 

[EWP]

NM i had a lapse....

What kind of dies are you using?

 

[marinesg1012]

RCBS small base dies, I should call RCBS and ask if they make a micro upgrade for thier seater die....

 

[grimini]

I have the Forster and I'm very happy with it.

It works well with every bullet and brass combination I've put through it.

I've never tried the Redding, for no other reason than I just can't justify the price.

 

[Sak007]

looks like im getting the forster die & a 4D die for my dillon rapid trim.

 

[borderpatrol]

I only use Forster or Redding competition seaters in every rifle caliber I own. They are GREAT seating dies and to tell you the truth I can't tell a dimes worth of difference between them. Both are as good as it gets.

 

[EWP]

I got a set of the new 6.8 Hornady New Dem. dies comming this week with the Microjust stem and will report back as to how well they work. I do use them for my .223 though and love them, just as good as the expensive comp. dies but way cheaper.

 

[Test_User]

I have both. A littlel history. Forster is the one with the orginal patent and the creator of the seating die that now Redding and a number of other comapnies use for the seating die since the patent expired. Which is the sleave than hold the bullet inline with the case. There is no difference quailty of performance between the two excpet you will IMO get better personal attention from Forster. FoOr FL sizng dies IMO the foresters are better and they also offer opions to have the neck of the die honed to get you the exact neck tension you want so you do nto need to use the expanding die which can effect the runout of the neck. The foresters also were the one to make the elongated tapered expansion ball. It is very gentle there by upsetting thee neck shoulder relationship the least. IMO the forster are a tad better than the Reddings in this die but its really a toss up. The difference is price. Redding has built up a reputation and obvious is very proud of there product. Bioth have won there share of BR titles and set records. I think the foresters are the better deal and as good or better than the Reddings. I have used both for years and like both. You wil not go wrong with either but why pay the premium for Redding.

 

[marinesg1012]

So for a decent seating die is the consent on Forester or should we just get the hornady seating die with the micromiter upgrade? I called RCBS and they dont make an upgrade for the small base seating die set and they dont offer the match or thier gold line in the 6.8 SPC... I dont NEED a new seating die but if I can get a little better accuracy and a die that will make it easier to change between bullet combo's why not right?

 

[jasonpeterson]

I'm going to order the Forster Ultra 2-Die Set 6.8mm Remington SPC. I can't see spending double the money for the redding after reading Tim's post.

 

[snort]

I've got the redding one. Would not part with it unless I needed two kidneys (not just one).

 

[Jamesb74]

So for a decent seating die is the consent on Forester or should we just get the hornady seating die with the micromiter upgrade? I called RCBS and they dont make an upgrade for the small base seating die set and they dont offer the match or thier gold line in the 6.8 SPC... I dont NEED a new seating die but if I can get a little better accuracy and a die that will make it easier to change between bullet combo's why not right?

I use Redding on a few other calibers. From what I understand it is the same design as the Forester since their patent ran out. ( I think I read that here). I would never part with my Reddings. I just put in the order for the Forester in 6.8 at Midway. It is b.o. with a 30 day special order. But I can wait since it cuts the ccost ddown from $100+ to $70-

 

[jasonpeterson]

I ordered the Forster Ultra 2-Die Set. I will let you know how the bullet seater works out.

I've been using a set of lees and I'm having trouble with getting the bullets to seat correctly. I measure everything off the ogive because of the differences in the tip of the bullets. Especially pro hunters being lead. I was having issues with some being longer, some being shorter. Then some would have the lead tip deformed by the die. Just no fun. Partly could be because of the flat base pro hunters and getting them lined up perfectly. I've been reloading for years and this is the first time I've had so many issues. I have close to 20 sets of RCBS dies and haven't had a bit of trouble. On my 550b I use dillon dies. Their 223 dies have been great. Hopefully the Foresters being in line seaters will help out loading the flat base bullets. At least keep the tips from being deformed.

 

[marinesg1012]

I like the way the RCBS dies resize and I dont mind the way the seating die works I just wish it was easier to change the bullet seating depth so I ordered a Forster ultra micro meter seating die from midway, it is a 30 day special order item so we will see if I get to play with it anytime soon but I will let you guys know how I like it once I get it.

 

[jasonpeterson]

My forster set came in today. Seater die works wonderful. Fixed all the problems I was having with consistency. Money well spent.

 

[marinesg1012]

So it was less then the 30 days qouted?

I have one on order through midway