Competition Neck Die Set includes Body Die, Completion Neck Size Die (bushings sold separately), and Competition Seating Die.
The Body Die is to resize the body and bump the shoulder without sizing the neck.
Competition Bushing Neck Sizer Die is similar in concept to the Competition Seating Die, the cartridge case is completely supported and aligned with the sizing bushing before the sizing process begins. Bushings are purchased separately. Neck wall thickness varies brass manufacturer to brass manufacturer. Depending on your situation, you will probably need a selection of bushings if you are loading different brands of brass. One way to measure for bushing size is to use a ball micrometer and measure several cases and then average the results. To that average you double it and then add the bullet caliber. Another way to find the correct bushing size is to measure several loaded rounds at the case neck, and then you average the readings. The number arrived at is used to determine your neck bushing size. Common wisdom suggests that you for every application you will need a certain amount of neck tension.
For single loading in a bolt gun, optimum neck tension would be 0.001".
For loading from bolt gun from the magazine, optimum neck tension would be 0.002".
For loading from auto loading gun from the magazine, optimum neck tension would be 0.003".
For an example in the 308 Winchester the case mouth measurement came to 0.338" of a loaded round. So the bushings would be 0.337"/0.336"/0.335"
The Redding Competition Seating Die seating stem is precision ground to exactly match bullet diameter. Alignment and accuracy are enhanced by the cartridge case and bullet being completely supported and aligned in a close fitting, precision ground sleeve before the bullet seating begins. The micrometer is calibrated in .001" increments for precise seating depth and is infinitely adjustable. The micrometer also has a setting feature that allows you to set the micrometer to favorite seating depth. A VLD replacement seating stem is available at extra cost, and it purchased separately.
