Redding Deluxe Die Set Question

[sisyphus]

I am new to reloading in 2021 so my knowledge is very minimal. Til today I'd only made magnum and 45LC rounds.

I have 30-06 and 375 Ruger dies, and today I set up my 375 Ruger and made my first 50 rounds. Both die sets I have Redding Deluxe (3 die) sets. So the first die is the FL sizing and decapping die, the second is the neck sizing and decapping die, and lastly the seating die.

Isn't the neck sizing die in this 3 die set kind of redundant? When I was selecting which dies to buy I wondered why rifle sets were generally 2 die instead of 3 die like the magnum sets. I bought the 3 die sets to be conservative and have my bases covered. I don't mind the extra pull at the table, but when I was making rounds this morning after setting the dies up I kind of wondered if that neck sizing die was really necessary.

As always, very much appreciate your knowledge and experience. Just trying to learn to do things right and have fun safely. Thanks!

 

[AJC1]

You choose to use the full-length sizing die or the neck sizing die but not both

 

[mdi]

Yep, either/or. The Sinclair description mentions a "standard" F/L sizing die and a "neck sizing die" in the set...

 

[sisyphus]

ok, so under what circumstances would you opt to use the neck sizer over the FL? Or is the neck sizer just a waste of turret space? Thanks

 

[AJC1]

ok, so under what circumstances would you opt to use the neck sizer over the FL? Or is the neck sizer just a waste of turret space? Thanks

The neck Sizer has good application for bolt action guns only when trying to get your brass to full chamber length. It is especially helpful if you plan on having a. custom die made that matches your chamber. In your circumstance you should just pull the dye and put it back in your box.

 

[MWC1974]

AJ is spot on. I shoot a bolt action, FL size prior to first load and neck size after that. Keeps the brass chambered to my gun. I do FL size after 3-4 firings or if the case becomes excessively difficult to extract with the bolt, whichever comes first.

I use the Premium 3 die Redding deluxe set for my 30-06 and it produces absolutely great rounds.

 

[sisyphus]

much appreciated guys, thank you

 

[cfullgraf]

An additional point on neck sizing dies, cases neck sized should only be fired in the rifle they were fired in before neck sizing. The cases most likely will not chamber in another rifle.

 

[Bill M.]

Fashions change. Neck sizing only used to be held in high regard. Now it is not. I am a very old guy. I still neck size only for target loads. I only have 1 gun in each of the 2 calibers I shoot. Hunting loads used to get full length sized.

And yes, you bought a nice set of dies.

 

[lightman]

I have a few sets of Redding Deluxe Die sets. I bought the deluxe sets mostly because the neck die added less to the cost than buying a separate neck die. It was probably money wasted as I don't usually neck size for anything except my custom tight neck rifles.

I agree with the above, you bought a nice die set.

 

[Walkalong]

ok, so under what circumstances would you opt to use the neck sizer over the FL? Or is the neck sizer just a waste of turret space? Thanks

No need for the neck sizer, you could have skipped it and just bought the FL or FL bushing style set.

 

[GoldieMI]

ok, so under what circumstances would you opt to use the neck sizer over the FL? Or is the neck sizer just a waste of turret space? Thanks

I FL size everytime with the bushing FL sizer die.

 

[WVRJ]

To me,neck sizing is a time saver since I don't have to use case lube and have to clean it off.Full length vs. neck sizing has been debated probably more than any other reloading topic,and most of the experts seem to go for full length sizing the minimal amount for what you're doing with the rifle.I oftentimes neck size during load development in order to be able to shoot,run into the basement to the bench,load and go back out to the shooting bench.Neck sizing rounds will fit tighter in the chamber,sometimes enough to make it so the rifle gets jostled around from putting a round in the chamber and taking it out after firing.

 

[cfullgraf]

No need for the neck sizer, you could have skipped it and just bought the FL or FL bushing style set.

I agree for the most part but I neck size my 22 Hornet cases. I get a bit longer life from the cases when neck sized.

I only have one 22 Hornet rifle, a 21" Contender carbine.

 

[Walkalong]

A lot of people do, with great success. When I was having trouble with case life everyone said neck size this thin cases, now I use a Redding Neck Size bushing style die. Retired the standard Forster FL die. It's the only cases I neck size. I started neck sizing (.222 Mag at first) years ago, and it worked well until it didn't, cases started getting hard to chamber/accuracy went south. I had to full length size them to get them to fit again, and again, so why bother? Some people use a neck die and then a Redding Body Die when cases get tight, but I like more consistency than that.