Redding Competition Seating die

cw308 · November 27, 2015, 04:44 PM

I'm thinking of trying the Sierra tipped match king 168gr HPBT bullet, will there be a seating problem where the tip bottoms out in the seating stem or will there still be room to contact the ogive on the bullet. Has anyone used this bullet with the Redding Competition Seating die.

**Unclenick** · November 27, 2015, 05:47 PM

I have. Great die. Just be sure to disassemble and clean it when you first get it so the parts move freely. I used mineral spirits, followed by a 72 hour soak in Sprinco Plate+ Silver, followed by a thorough wipe off. The Plate+ is not required—I had some anyway, so I used it—and rubbing with a silicone cloth may do as well. You just want protection for the steel that won't dry out or get thick or sticky.

The standard Redding seating stem contacts the Sierra 168 MK down on the ogive. Actually leaves a faint ring mark there (of no ballistic consequence). There is a deeper stem you can get for VLD designs, I believe, though I never have shot VLD's in .308.

I can tell you is the die cut bullet runout by a factor of four for me over a standard seating die.

4runnerman · November 27, 2015, 06:39 PM

Got 3 of them. 6BR, 308 and 223. Great dies. If you want to push it even more.
Take 5 or 6 of your brass fired in your barrel at least 3 times, send them and your die to Redding, for $10.00 they will hone your die to your chamber.

cw308 · November 27, 2015, 10:46 PM

Unclenick, would you call the new Sierra tipped 168gr.HPBT bullet a VLD .

November 27, 2015, 04:44 PM	#1
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	Redding Competition Seating die I'm thinking of trying the Sierra tipped match king 168gr HPBT bullet, will there be a seating problem where the tip bottoms out in the seating stem or will there still be room to contact the ogive on the bullet. Has anyone used this bullet with the Redding Competition Seating die.

November 27, 2015, 05:47 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I have. Great die. Just be sure to disassemble and clean it when you first get it so the parts move freely. I used mineral spirits, followed by a 72 hour soak in Sprinco Plate+ Silver, followed by a thorough wipe off. The Plate+ is not required—I had some anyway, so I used it—and rubbing with a silicone cloth may do as well. You just want protection for the steel that won't dry out or get thick or sticky. The standard Redding seating stem contacts the Sierra 168 MK down on the ogive. Actually leaves a faint ring mark there (of no ballistic consequence). There is a deeper stem you can get for VLD designs, I believe, though I never have shot VLD's in .308. I can tell you is the die cut bullet runout by a factor of four for me over a standard seating die. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 27, 2015, 06:39 PM	#3
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Got 3 of them. 6BR, 308 and 223. Great dies. If you want to push it even more. Take 5 or 6 of your brass fired in your barrel at least 3 times, send them and your die to Redding, for $10.00 they will hone your die to your chamber. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

November 27, 2015, 10:46 PM	#4
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	Unclenick, would you call the new Sierra tipped 168gr.HPBT bullet a VLD .