RCBS Competition Vs. Redding Competition (204 Ruger)

Screwtop.243 · May 8, 2017

Hello,

I'm tooling up to reload for a 204 Ruger and would like to know if it is worth it to take it up a notch and get some competition dies instead of standard dies. The rifle will be a Savage Predator Max 1 and used for plinking/hunting purposes, but naturally I want to squeeze as much accuracy out of the thing as I can.

I typically use RCBS standard dies with more than acceptable results but decided to get the Redding full length Type S bushing die and competition seater for my 6.5 X 47 L, and man was I impressed! (particularly with the lack of run out on those long 6.5 bullets). Should I go for the Reddings for the 204 as well? If so, what bushing size? The RCBS Competition 2 die set also looks good for about $75 less. Any feedback on these options over the standard RCBS stuff would be appreciated.

Thanks,

ST.243

DaemonAssassin · May 9, 2017

No experience with either one of die sets, but I don't see why you should pay for "competition" dies sets, if you are still going to be doing load development, to find the best combination for your firearm. I really can't wrangle more out of my Dillon dies, than I already have, and I see no point in spending money on something that I will never be able to utilize in actual long range competitions to win prestige and/or money. As it stands right now, I can make sub-MOA ammo with my non-competition dies, and that is all that matters to me. Not to mention, I can maintain 1/1000th of an inch OAL, either side of where the seating die is calibrated to, due to my technique.

Save your money and stick with standard dies, they will do plenty well for your purposes.

cyclops · May 9, 2017

If you liked and were impressed with the dies you bought for your 6.5 x 47L why not buy them again for the .204? http://redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips-faqs/140-bushing-selection and their chart http://www.redding-reloading.com/online-catalog/58-bushing-range-chart

John from MD · May 9, 2017

Unless you are shooting Benchrest matches or long range (600-1000yds), you wont notice the difference. Today, RCBS standard dies do a very good job of bullet alignment. You would do better concentrating on things like segregating your brass and varying your bullet seating depth.

Pinecone · May 9, 2017

I went with Whidden comp dies for .308.

The micrometer adjstable seating die makes it easy to adjust seating depth/OAL between bullets or for testing. Very repeatable.

The sizing die is an FL die, that uses bushings for the neck. So I can no use an expander button. Which can reduce the need for trimming the brass.

And it makes me feel better about the rounds I load with the dies.

There is a story about Tubbs. He loaded ammo for a match, and segregated the good rounds from the not so good ones, based on things like concentricity, meplats, etc.

He goes to the match, wins it handily. He gets home, and he finds he took the wrong box of ammo and took the not so good ones. But at the match, he KNEW he had great rounds.

Screwtop.243 · May 9, 2017

OK all,

Thanks. Your responses will help me with an informed decision. Will probably consider going with something a bit more cost effective and apply the funds saved to better rings/optic.

Regards,

ST.243

Magnumite · May 9, 2017

Pinecone said:
And it makes me feel better about the rounds I load with the dies.

There is a story about Tubbs. He loaded ammo for a match, and segregated the good rounds from the not so good ones, based on things like concentricity, meplats, etc.

He goes to the match, wins it handily. He gets home, and he finds he took the wrong box of ammo and took the not so good ones. But at the match, he KNEW he had great rounds.

Gotta love it! Shooting well is hugely a mental and discipline game.

ToolAA · May 9, 2017

The only thing I like about the competition bullet seating die is that you can drop the projectile into the little window on the side of the die instead of trying to carefully position it into the neck. It just seems to go a little faster.

Hippy · May 9, 2017

The best economically set up would be the Lee Collet die set with "Bump" die from Redding

The BEST overall is the Whidden FL (Bushing) with their seater the bushings you need are .229 +.227

Good Luck

Jim

RCBS Competition Vs. Redding Competition (204 Ruger)

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Screwtop.243

Ouch...that thing kicks

DaemonAssassin

Why should we Free BSD?

cyclops

Active Member

John from MD

American Patriot

Pinecone

Ultimate Member

Screwtop.243

Ouch...that thing kicks

Magnumite

Ultimate Member

ToolAA

Ultimate Member

Hippy

Active Member

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Latest threads

Forum statistics

Share this page