I thought I'd share the email exchange I had with Redding over selecting a bushing size:
From Me:
I've just decided to take up reloading, after 30 years away, and have found things are different, though I don't recall everything I used to know.
I understand Redding is the current choice as "best dies," so I started looking for your stuff. I discovered that your bushing dies seem to be excellent, but that I can't really buy them, due to my inability to specify the right bushing size. I've read your Tech Tips, and realize there is more than one way to determine the size, but all require a micrometer, which I do not have access to (and except for this, no need).
I'll be starting with new Lapua brass. Have you considered offering a service of accepting sample brass from folks like me, and recommending the right bushing size?
From Redding:
Thank you for your interest in Redding Reloading Equipment. You can also take the measurements with an accurate caliper, which no reloader should be without.
Regards,
Patrick T. Ryan
Redding Reloading Equipment
1089 Starr Road
Cortland, NY 13045
From Me
Patrick,
I would have thought so, too, but your Tech Tips say that it isn't accurate. "Be aware that you may not select the correct bushing on the first try when sing a caliper to measure neck wall thickness, due to the reduced measuring accuracy of the caliper."
Exchanges for missing the right size?
From Redding
No, sorry.
Regards,
Patrick T. Ryan
(End)
Well, I can't say I blame them, but it makes Redding a hard thing to buy for a newbie.
Jaywalker
From Me:
I've just decided to take up reloading, after 30 years away, and have found things are different, though I don't recall everything I used to know.
I understand Redding is the current choice as "best dies," so I started looking for your stuff. I discovered that your bushing dies seem to be excellent, but that I can't really buy them, due to my inability to specify the right bushing size. I've read your Tech Tips, and realize there is more than one way to determine the size, but all require a micrometer, which I do not have access to (and except for this, no need).
I'll be starting with new Lapua brass. Have you considered offering a service of accepting sample brass from folks like me, and recommending the right bushing size?
From Redding:
Thank you for your interest in Redding Reloading Equipment. You can also take the measurements with an accurate caliper, which no reloader should be without.
Regards,
Patrick T. Ryan
Redding Reloading Equipment
1089 Starr Road
Cortland, NY 13045
From Me
Patrick,
I would have thought so, too, but your Tech Tips say that it isn't accurate. "Be aware that you may not select the correct bushing on the first try when sing a caliper to measure neck wall thickness, due to the reduced measuring accuracy of the caliper."
Exchanges for missing the right size?
From Redding
No, sorry.
Regards,
Patrick T. Ryan
(End)
Well, I can't say I blame them, but it makes Redding a hard thing to buy for a newbie.
Jaywalker