Precision Reloading Redefined: The Redding Type S - Full Length Resizing/Bushing Die
For the dedicated handloader and precision shooter, the quest for ammunition perfection is an ongoing journey. Every component, every process, and every piece of equipment plays a pivotal role in achieving the tightest groups and the most reliable performance. Among the most critical steps in ammunition reloading is case sizing, and for those who demand uncompromising control, the Redding Type S - Full Length Resizing/Bushing Die stands as a testament to engineering excellence.
This die isn't just a tool; it's a precision instrument designed to tackle the most common and frustrating issues faced by reloaders: inconsistent neck tension, poor concentricity, shortened case life, and difficult chambering. Whether you're a competitive shooter chasing fractional improvements, a hunter preparing reliable loads for critical moments, or a general handloader committed to maximizing accuracy and extending the longevity of your valuable brass, the Redding Type S Full Length Bushing Die offers an unparalleled solution.
Unlocking Ammunition Performance: Why Full-Length Resizing Matters
Why is full-length resizing so important, and when should it be your go-to method? While neck sizing is excellent for preserving brass life and maintaining precise concentricity in a single rifle, full-length resizing becomes indispensable under several conditions:
- Using ammunition in multiple firearms: Cartridge cases fire-form to the unique dimensions of a specific rifle's chamber. If you load for several rifles of the same caliber, or if you plan to share ammunition, full-length resizing ensures proper fit and reliable chambering in all of them.
- Ammunition for semi-automatic firearms: These firearms often require ammunition to be sized to tighter tolerances for consistent feeding and extraction cycles, making full-length resizing a necessity.
- Addressing difficult chambering: If your reloaded rounds are stiff to chamber, or the bolt lift is heavy after firing, it's a clear signal that your cases have expanded beyond safe or practical limits and require full-length sizing.
- Restoring brass to factory specifications: After several firings, brass cases can stretch and deform significantly. Full-length resizing restores the case body and shoulder dimensions, ensuring the round cycles smoothly and safely.
However, traditional full-length dies can sometimes overwork the case neck or compromise concentricity. This is where the Redding Type S - Full Length Resizing/Bushing Die distinguishes itself by offering full-length resizing with exact control over the case neck, a combination previously difficult to achieve in a single operation.
Revolutionary Features for Unparalleled Control
The Redding Type S - Full Length Resizing/Bushing Die is engineered with several innovative features that directly address the pain points of precision reloaders, allowing them to produce ammunition of exceptional quality.
Interchangeable Bushings: The Key to Perfect Neck Tension
One of the most defining characteristics of the Type S die, adopted directly from Redding's highly acclaimed bushing-style neck sizing dies, is its use of interchangeable bushings in .001" increments.
- What problem does this solve? Inconsistent neck tension is a major culprit behind poor accuracy. Different brass manufacturers, different firing counts, and even variations within a single batch of brass can lead to varying neck wall thickness. A standard die with a fixed expander ball cannot account for these variations, often resulting in either too much or too little neck tension.
- How it works: Instead of an expander ball, the Type S die uses a precisely machined bushing that squeezes the entire neck from the outside. By selecting the correct bushing size (typically determined by measuring your loaded round's neck diameter and subtracting .002" to .004" for tension), you can achieve the exact desired neck tension for your specific bullet and brass combination. This fine-tuning capability is crucial for consistent bullet pull and release, directly translating to improved accuracy and reduced extreme spreads in velocity.
- User Outcome: Reloaders experience tighter groups on target, improved ballistic consistency, and the ability to optimize bullet seating force for different powder charges or bullet types.
Adjustable Decapping Rod: Precision Where It Counts
The die incorporates an adjustable decapping rod, a seemingly small detail that offers immense versatility and control.
- Why is this important? Traditional dies size the entire neck length. However, often only a portion of the neck needs to be sized, particularly if you are using a custom chamber or simply wish to minimize work hardening of the brass.
- How it works: The adjustable rod allows you to precisely control the position of the sizing bushing within the die body. This means you can size just the very end of the neck, or the entire length, as dictated by your specific needs.
- Benefits:
- Minimizing Work Hardening: Sizing only the necessary portion of the neck reduces the stress on the brass, extending its useful life and delaying the need for annealing.
- Optimizing Bullet Seating: Fine-tuning the sized neck length can influence how the bullet engages the case neck, contributing to improved bullet concentricity and consistent bullet release during firing.
- Enhanced Concentricity: By carefully controlling the bushing position, you prevent unnecessary manipulation of the brass, which can otherwise introduce runout.
Self-Centering Bushing: The Foundation of Concentricity
Concentricity is paramount for precision ammunition, and the Redding Type S design excels in this area thanks to its ability of the bushing to self-center on the neck of the cartridge case.
- The Problem: If the case neck is not perfectly aligned with the die during sizing, it can result in a "bent" neck or bullet runout, where the bullet is not perfectly aligned with the bore. This leads to erratic bullet flight and wider groups.
- The Solution: The Redding Type S bushing is not rigidly fixed within the die body. Instead, it "floats," allowing it to align itself precisely with the case neck as it enters the die. This ensures that sizing pressure is applied evenly around the entire circumference of the neck, resulting in exceptional concentricity.
- User Outcome: This feature directly contributes to consistent bullet seating, minimal bullet runout, and ultimately, significantly improved accuracy. It's a key factor in producing ammunition that behaves predictably shot after shot.
Standard Size Button and Decapping Pin Retainer: Versatility Unleashed
All Type S dies (with the exception of 17 and 20 Cal.) are thoughtfully supplied with both a standard size button and a decapping pin retainer. This offers valuable versatility to the discerning handloader.
- Standard Size Button: For those who prefer the traditional method of using an expander ball to set neck tension, the standard size button is included.
- Decapping Pin Retainer: This innovative addition allows the reloader to choose whether or not to use an expander button at all. For some precision applications, particularly with custom chambers or specific types of brass, neck tension can be perfectly managed by the bushing alone, without the need for an internal expander. The decapping pin retainer holds the decapping pin securely, allowing the case to be decapped while the neck is sized only by the external bushing, preserving the concentricity achieved during sizing and minimizing any potential for introducing runout from an expander ball. It also provides a way to decap cases without any neck sizing, simply by removing the bushing.
Dual Functionality: The Body Die Advantage
One of the most valuable, yet often overlooked, capabilities of the Redding Type S Full-Length Bushing Die is its ability to also function as a body die.
- How it works: By simply removing the interchangeable bushing and all other internal parts (like the decapping rod and pin), the die can be used to size only the body of the cartridge case and bump the shoulder back, without touching the case neck.
- When would you use it?
- Shoulder Bumping: After several firings, cases stretch in length and the shoulder moves forward, making chambering difficult. A body die precisely pushes the shoulder back to factory or specific chamber dimensions, resolving chambering issues.
- Case Body Resizing: It corrects expanded case body dimensions that might otherwise cause difficult extraction or chambering, especially important in semi-automatic firearms.
- Separating Neck Sizing: Some reloaders prefer to size the case body and neck as two separate operations using different dies (e.g., a body die for the body, and a separate neck sizing die for the neck) to achieve optimal concentricity and precision. This die effectively combines two essential tools into one.
- User Outcome: This dual functionality streamlines your reloading bench, reduces the need for additional specialized dies, and offers maximum flexibility in your case preparation process.
Transforming Your Reloading Experience: Key Benefits
The combination of these advanced features in the Redding Type S - Full Length Resizing/Bushing Die translates into tangible benefits for every reloader:
- Enhanced Ammunition Accuracy: Consistent neck tension, superior concentricity, and controlled bullet release directly result in tighter shot groups and more predictable ballistic performance.
- Maximized Case Life: By minimizing work hardening and allowing precise control over sizing, this die helps extend the number of times your valuable brass can be reloaded, saving you money in the long run.
- Unrivaled Consistency: From bullet seating depth to primer ignition, consistency is key. This die contributes significantly to uniformity in your ammunition, leading to greater reliability and repeatability.
- Ultimate Versatility: Whether you need full-length sizing for multiple firearms, precise neck-only sizing, or simply to bump the shoulder of your cases, this single die can adapt to almost any requirement.
- Troubleshooting Common Issues: Effectively resolves common reloading problems such as difficult chambering, stiff bolt lift, and the dreaded "flyer" shots that can ruin a perfect group.
Who Benefits Most from the Redding Type S Full Length Bushing Die?
This die is an investment in precision, ideal for:
- Precision Rifle Shooters: Benchrest, F-Class, PRS, and other long-range enthusiasts where every fraction of an inch counts.
- Hunters: Ensuring maximum accuracy and reliability from critical hunting loads, giving them confidence in the field.
- Reloaders with Multiple Firearms: Those who want to use their handloads across several rifles of the same caliber without chambering issues.
- Users of Semi-Automatic Rifles: Critical for reliable feeding and extraction in AR-style platforms or other self-loaders.
- Handloaders Seeking Brass Longevity: Anyone looking to get the maximum number of reloads from their high-quality brass.
- Those Who Demand the Best: For the reloader unwilling to compromise on the quality and performance of their ammunition.
Optimizing Your Reloading Process with Redding Precision
Integrating the Redding Type S die into your reloading workflow is straightforward, but a few considerations can optimize your results:
- Bushing Selection: Start by measuring the neck diameter of a loaded round with your chosen bullet. Subtract .002" to .004" from this measurement to determine your ideal bushing size. Experimentation within this range is recommended to find what works best for your specific firearm and components.
- Proper Lubrication: Always apply a thin, even coat of case lubricant to your brass before sizing. This prevents stuck cases and ensures smooth operation, protecting both your dies and your press.
- Die Setup: Follow Redding's instructions for setting up the die in your press. Proper setup is crucial for consistent sizing and longevity of the die.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Regularly clean your die and bushings to remove carbon and lube residue. A clean die performs better and lasts longer.
Why Redding Stands Apart: A Legacy of Excellence
Redding Reloading Equipment has been a trusted name in the handloading community for decades. Their commitment to superior engineering, robust construction, and meticulous quality control has earned them a reputation for producing some of the finest reloading tools available. When you choose a Redding product, you're investing in:
- Uncompromising Quality: Each die is manufactured to tight tolerances from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and consistent performance.
- Innovative Design: Redding continually develops and refines its products, incorporating user feedback and advanced engineering to meet the evolving demands of precision reloaders.
- Reliability: Redding dies are built to last, providing years of dependable service even under heavy use.
- Support for the Handloading Community: Redding's dedication to the craft of reloading is evident in every product they produce, empowering reloaders to achieve their highest potential.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Discerning Reloader
For those considering the Redding Type S - Full Length Resizing/Bushing Die, here are answers to some common questions:
- What is full-length sizing and why do I need it? Full-length sizing restores the entire cartridge case to nearly factory dimensions, including the body and shoulder, in addition to the neck. It's essential when ammunition needs to reliably cycle in multiple firearms, especially semi-automatics, or when cases have fire-formed excessively to a chamber and cause stiff chambering or extraction.
- How do I choose the correct bushing for my Redding Type S die? A good starting point is to measure the neck diameter of a loaded round (with your bullet seated) using a micrometer. Subtract .002" to .004" from this measurement to determine your target sized neck diameter. Select the bushing size closest to this value. Fine-tune by testing different bushing sizes to find the optimal neck tension for your specific components and firearm.
- Can I use this die for both neck sizing and full-length sizing? Yes, absolutely. While it primarily performs full-length sizing with precise neck control, its adjustable decapping rod and interchangeable bushings allow for highly customized neck sizing (e.g., sizing only part of the neck) within the full-length operation. By removing the bushing and internal parts, it also functions as a body die.
- What makes the Redding Type S die different from other full-length dies? The key difference lies in its bushing system, which offers unparalleled control over neck tension in .001" increments, and the self-centering design that enhances concentricity. Unlike conventional full-length dies with fixed expander balls, the Type S allows you to precisely dial in your neck tension and minimize work hardening.
- How does this die improve ammunition concentricity? The self-centering bushing allows the case neck to align perfectly with the die during sizing, ensuring even pressure application around the neck. This prevents bent necks and minimizes bullet runout, which is critical for consistent accuracy.
- Will this die help extend the life of my brass? Yes, significantly. By allowing precise control over the amount and length of neck sizing, and by enabling you to use it as a body die without overworking the neck, the Type S die helps reduce unnecessary brass manipulation and work hardening. This means your valuable cartridge cases can be reloaded more times before needing to be discarded or annealed.
Availability
The Redding Type S - Full Length Resizing/Bushing Die (UPC 611760711022) is available for purchase at DEGuns. Trust in Redding's precision and DEGuns' commitment to providing top-quality reloading equipment for all your ammunition needs.
Technical Specifications & Product Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Full-Length Resizing/Bushing Die |
| Manufacturer | Redding Reloading Equipment |
| UPC | 611760711022 |
| SKU | 71102 |
| Bushing Type | Interchangeable, .001" increments (not included) |
| Decapping Rod | Adjustable |
| Included Components | Standard Size Button, Decapping Pin Retainer (except 17/20 Cal.) |
| Additional Function | Functions as a Body Die (by removing internal parts) |
| Benefit Highlight | Enhanced Concentricity, Adjustable Neck Tension, Extended Case Life |
