Best .204 Ruger Dies?

G

gunsbam45

New member
I'd like to hear what folks like for .204 Ruger dies and why. I've never done any loading for my rifles, but am getting ready to start loading for my .204 Rugers, and have an older JR2 single stage RCBS press. Almost all my current dies are RCBS carbide for straight wall revolver cartridges, with a few others mixed in as singles to correct spec issues, but I don't have any rifle dies yet. A couple folks have already mentioned they use Redding for .204 on another post on .204 stuff, but love to hear what folks like, and why they like them.
 
Forester Benchrest die set is all I use for most of my calibers, but exclusively for 17, 20, and 22 cal. bullets.
The Forester Co-ax press is worth a long look at. Once die caliber is set there is no more setting it every time you change caliber. Plus, since they float in the press it is darn hard not to perfect alignment.
 
I like Hornady dies if just for the seater, with little tiny bullets it is so handy they never get cocked sideways. I haven't found there to be a whole lot of difference in FL sizers. I do like Bushing FL sizing dies for calibers where I have multiple cats on the same case like the 20 Practical, 223, 6x45mm family and the 204, 22-204, 6mm-204 just swap the bushings and expander ball and your set to go.
 
Originally Posted By: gunsbam45K22, is this the die set you're talking about for .204?

https://www.precisionreloading.com/cart.php#!l=FRS&i=004021

Yes. Better still if you can find this seater........... Micro Seater
 
Last edited:
Pretty sure there’s a “Reloading” section here....
Anyway, I pretty much stick to Redding dies, the 3-die “Deluxe” set, I believe. Splits difference price-wise between Forster and the cheapest brands, some of which aren’t even made in the USA now.
 
Originally Posted By: deathwind IIPretty sure there’s a “Reloading” section here....
Anyway, I pretty much stick to Redding dies, the 3-die “Deluxe” set, I believe. Splits difference price-wise between Forster and the cheapest brands, some of which aren’t even made in the USA now.

If you just have to have the best in terms of how much money you spend, the Forrester dies are great and they perform very well. But like deathwind said, you can spend considerably less dollars and still get great performing dies from Redding.

I've got both and I truly can't see any real significant advantages to either maker over the other. YMMV since we're all different.
 
I should have more clear than I was. It is the benchrest seater die that I find to be outstanding. And is easy on the fingers when working with those itty bitty bullets.
Redding dies are outstanding and in full length sizing dies, so are Lee's.
 
Forester benchrest and Redding are both excellent dies especially for seating but for the utmost in accuracy Wilson are the best with less runout.
 
Some good advice and quality brands mentioned above...but I love Lee dies and I use the collect neck sizing die in my bolt gun. Lee is not the same class as the above but a whole lot less $$ for very good reloads.
 
Most of the Time I use a Redding body die with whatever Redding competition shellholder gives me a snug fit in that gun’s chamber. .002, .004, .006, .008, or .010.
Then I use a Lee collet die to size the neck.
Collet die sized cases seem to have very uniform seating pressure when seating bullets.
 
Last edited:
For one rifle the Lee collet die. If I have more than one bolt gun in the same cartridge then I try to use a different head stamped case in each rifle so I can still neck size.

For a standard seater die I like the better support of the Hornady New Dimension die.

I am lucky however, as in my two bolt guns in 223, I can neck size brass between a Ruger American and my CZ 527 American .... that is rare!

Three 44s
 
Back
Top