Function and proper use of Redding type s-bushing die.

crapshoot

crapshoot

Well-known member
First off, I have never used a bushing die set so I am trying to glean a bit of information from those more experienced then I.

I purchased a set of 338 lapua mag dies. The box reads redding type s-bushing style neck sizing die set #78954.
This is a 3 die set.

Die 1. Reads 338 lapua mag B/NK 3S.
I am guessing this is the neck sizing die. There is a decapping stem and 2 different expander balls. One is severely under sized. I'm guessing its so you can de-cap without running the expander.
Is there supposed to be a removable bushing so you can buy different sizes to suit your need? Or is it a what you see is what you get kind of die.

How much of the neck should I size?

Die 2. Reads 338 LAPUA MSG BODY 3R.
Im guessing this is for bumping the shoulder back a couple thou from the chamber dimension.
My plan is to anneal every 3rd firing and bump the shoulder back at that point. Is this acceptable?

Die 3. Reads 338 LAPUS MAG ST 3S.

Im guessing this is the seating die and works like other seating dies with built in taper crimp if you so desire to use it. Correct?

Anything else I should know?
 
From Redding

Type S – Neck Bushing Die
The Type S - Bushing Style Dies, Competition Seating and Neck Sizing Dies, Body Dies and our New Competition Shellholders are all products of Benchrest and 1000 yard Competition.

The new Type S - Bushing Style Neck Sizing Die provides reloaders with a simple means to precisely control case neck size and tension.
Uses interchangeable sizing bushings available in .001" increments.
The adjustable decapping rod allows positioning the bushing to resize only a portion of the neck length if desired.
Concentricity is enhanced by the ability of the resizing bushing to selfcenter
on the case neck.
The decapping rod is supplied with a standard size button. This is especially useful for reloaders who are using commercial brass as is.
A decapping pin retainer is also supplied with most Type S - Bushing Dies except 17 and 20 Cal. This enables neck sizing without the use of the size button for those who sort and/or turn case necks for uniformity.
All dies are supplied without bushings. Click here for ordering numbers.
 
Correct. And yes you need a bushing for the neck die. When I called Redding, they told me to seat a bullet in a brand new case, then measure the top of the neck. Then I was told to subtract .001 thousandth. that will be the bushing you need.

It worked for me, but I'm no rocket scientist! I do love my Redding type S dies.
 
Last edited:
The body die will FL size just the body including the shoulder of the case. I never use just a neck sizing bushing die. I use the FL sizing bushing die.

I set them to just size enough to fit the chamber easily as all my ammo is hunting ammo and I don't want to take a chance on a snug case.
 
Last edited:
Guess I'm not understanding you completely. If you only use the body die, and the body die only sizes the body and shoulder, and you said you don't use the neck sizer... How do you size the necks?

Are you saying you use both the body die and neck die each time you load? And if so, couldn't you do the same thing with a regular fl die or a bushing fl die? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the die by over working the brass?

These are questions I am asking to learn from not me trying to tell you that you are doing it wrong.
 
I use the Redding Type S FL(full length) bushing die , not the Redding Type S Neck Sizing Bushing die.

You Neck sizing die just sizes the neck and I believe will bump the shoulder also. When your brass starts getting too tight in the chamber you use the body die to size the body of the case back to specs.

My die sizes the body every time
 
Gotcha. So would be the same as using both my body die and neck die each time I load.
But is it necessary for me to use the body die each time I load or only as needed when it becomes difficult to close the bolt?
 
Only need to use the body die when needed if you want to load by just neçk sizing.
 
I should have been more specific about my type S dies. I have the full length type S die. So, I full size every time, and bump shoulder back .001 to .002, while sizing neck to proper neck tension.
 
Some load combo's will preform better with a -.002 and once in a great while a -.003 Bushing...I try both for grins and giggles.

I have noticed that when the bolt closes easy on one round, tad more difficult on another round, then hard on another round that flyers abound in the group.

The use of neck bumping dies eliminates this issue without having to go to the trouble of full length sizing.

Forester standard neck sizing dies will bump shoulders and you can send the die back to the factory and have the neck honed to a specific size for $12.

Certain cases I shoot run high pressures at the top end accuracy node, and for hunting, I never want a hard closing bolt.

Two issues we reloaders face that can plague our reloads due to various Rockwell hardness in brass, dia. at the web of the case, and length of the case. Unfortunately, production dies of all brands are subject to SAAMI spec and the dimensions of a factory chamber are helter skelter. Often, you have to push the shoulder back .006 or more to reduce the size of the web to where the bolt feels easy to close on some brass. This causes short brass life when you have to push the shoulder back more than .002. Often, it is more cost effective to go ahead and over work the brass vs spending the money on custom dies or separate the sizing process into two different sizing operations.

Part of the accuracy equation is alignment, which is getting the bullet started into the barrel straight. Having the brass lay in the chamber with as much precision as you can possibly get is a huge step in getting the bullet started straight in the barrel.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top