Using a forester co ax press. What are some good dies to use to get a good shoulder bump. Shooting a 6ppc.
My top two choices are the SAC die (but very expensive) and the Whidden click adjustable die. The SAC is the best I’ve used but I don’t know if it’s enough better to justify the price. The Whidden is very good also, and it’s half the price.
I got a set of the Cortina Precision mandrel and sizing dies for my 6.5PRC and do like them. The sizing die is adjustable and to this point repeatable.
Some people use the Redding Competition shell holders which raised the case higher so that the die can be dialed down further before bottoming out but I have never had that problem with Redding and Whidden FL sizing dies. Both are very consistent and smooth IMO. One other suggestion I have seen is to remove material from the top of the shell holder….not sure I would try that one as I don’t like to fix what ain’t broke.
Micron Precision dies from bulletcentral.com are great!
Ppc , as a competitor I use Harrels . Send them fire formed brass and they have dies to match your needs .
Never had a problem with Redding Type “S” dies
Widden Click Adjustable dies are my favorite.
When using Whidden sizing dies are most people using a co-ax press when the die (click adjustable) ring slides in to the press. Or using a RCBS type press with a quick disconnect sleeve for the die?
Expensive dies don’t guarantee straight ammo- for PPC you are a little more limited on choices. I would find one that closely matches your chamber, the Harrels recommendation was a good one but I believe they have recently retired.
I would call a reputable short range benchrest gunsmith and get their recommendation based on the chamber you have.
Off the shelf- Forster, Redding, Whidden, Hornady all make good dies.
Agreed, I use a custom harrel
My Widden dies go in a Redding Boss press. It works for me.
I use Redding dies, but use a Whidden click-style lock ring on the die. It makes shoulder bump adjustments much easier and it works well after you get the hang of adjusting it. That said, I am very slowly converting over to SAC dies, but they are a bit pricey.
I have recently started using the Cortina sizing dies and have had zero issues. Brass runout has been spot on to this point
I just switched over to Le Wilson.
For my PPCs I use a RCBS RockChucker with Redding “S” type FL die and Redding Competition shell holder
I currently use Forester coaxial press also. With Redding dies. Is there any advantage to go to an arbor press and dies? For 6.5x284 and 6br mostly.
Hi Nuclear,
The main advantages of an arbor press and die are that they are portable due to their size. It’s very easy to pack this in your reloading kit and load at a range or when you are on a shooting trip.
On top of that, since these dies seat bullets by pressing a seating stem cap downward until it meets a hard physical/absolute stop on the die body itself, you are able to get even better tolerances in seating depth consistency (With presses there is always the potential to overseat/underseat a bullet depending on how hard you press the handle down. Inconsistent handle pressure can create variance in your seating depths).
The downside to the arbor press is that it is a little slower to use when loading lots of rounds.
I hope this info helps. ![]()
and you cannot full length resize, or shoulder bump.
I’m missing that little extra squeeze at the .200 line with my Harrells custom die . Leaving me clickers on some rounds .Can anybody tell me if Eric Cortina mandrel dies really do size the datum line a bit more . I will invest in them if they really do the job as advertised. Thanks