Which die set? Deciding today!

So I'm getting set up to handload,I've got a Redding T7 turret press and would like some recommendations for dies. Starting off with 30-06,30-30, 243, 223. Hornady, RCBS? Other? Anybody know anything about the new Hornady Match Grade die sets? @ $80 are they worth it or that much better? And what's with the "sold separately" bits? The match grade looks like it has something like the microjust seating stem on it...

Also open to suggestions for "indispensable bench items"...

What bullet puller do you like?

Thanks guys

I'll leave the die discussion to folks with more experience with different brands. However, I will say that the RCBS collet bullet puller works really well. I recently pulled several hundred rounds with mine and it was quick and all of the components were use-able.

I have had good experiences with my RCBS dies as well, but I'm sure Lee, Hornady, etc. all make good ones.

Elephantman, welcome to the reloading addiction. I like the Hornady dies. Particularly their seating die. The micrometer on the seating stem is cool but I would buy their standard die set. I think they call it custom grade. Should be $35-$40. With a little patience and a set of calipers you end up with the same thing. You will need to buy a shell holder separately. The shell holder you need will be printed on the end of the box. There is a place inside the box to store it. I wish it was included with the set. They have been offering 200 free Bullets with their die sets. $60-$70 worth of free Bullets has been the tie breaker for the last several die sets I have bought. They also come with some of the better locking rings available.

Edit: offer is now 100 free Bullets or about $30.

Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension is the first dies I try to find. I see if they exist in the cartridge I need them for, ad if they are in stock. I always buy bushing FL dies, and am not too particular about the seating die. After Hornady, I look at RCBS and Redding, as I feel all three are of equal quality, but the Hornady tend to be less expensive.

Hornady has created the best lock rings I've ever used. No matter the die brand, they wear Hornady lock rings, which are available for sale in packages of 6, I believe.

I've been swapping over to Whidden FL bushing dies for seating dies any competition die with a micrometer but I find whidden to be the best.

Re: Hornady Die Set Lock Rings...

I bought 2 extra lock rings @ $3.99 each to replace the always worn out RCBS lock ring set screws with, when I placed my Swede & 7mm Mauser die set order with Graf's on Friday. Set of 6 Lock rings are at $24, or $3.99 each....plus the usual $7.95 Order Fee that covers Insurance and FedEx Ground shipping.

I guess I need to double check the Free Bullet Offer form too...I thought it was a single 100ct box of caliber appropriate "Best Seller's" that HORNADY had already selected per each Die Set purchased and Rebate Applied For, with a downloaded Rebate form completed with the purchase info....
Ron

The answer to that question depends on your rifle set-ups & your intentions. It looks to me like you have the common "hunting battery" & are not a formal competitor. If that's the case, start with standard die sets. Use the money you save on components & shooting. My personal choice is always RCBS first but Hornady & Redding both make excellent products & also have excellent service.

Welcome to handloading. Be careful, it can become a new compulsion!

Coyote. You are correct on the 100 Bullets. Last set I bought was the end of 2016. I just checked and it has changed to 100.
Elephantman, make that now about $30 worth of free Bullets.

I use either the redding competition die sets or the redding body and competition bushing neck die with the forster competition seating die. And the Redding competition shell holders always to allow me to control my shoulder bump. As for the bullet puller I prefer the Hornady Cam-Lock puller. I hate the inertia hammers and will never buy another one for the reloading room.

I'm fully invested is the RCBS bullet puller with a collet for every caliber I load. It works fine. But, although I've never tried one, Hornady's cam-lock looks like a better way to go, especially if you need to pull a bunch.

If you ever seat a bullet too deep, the inertia puller is ideal to back the bullet out just enough to re-seat. They are cheap enough, so I say it is handy to have one around to complement a collet puller.

+1

Although, I use a Wilson inline seater.

Forster is my first choice, followed by Redding.

Keep a Wilson seater to use at the range to adjust seating depth working up loads.

Forster's FL sizing dies consistently produce near zero runout with a bit of attention during setup.

Have not tried Whidden, but the reviews are consistently good.

RCBS and Hornady will work fine, but Forster more consistently produces less runout.

Realistically you should be fine with any quality die listed above, the rest will depend on you and the gun. What can be better than any tool is to constantly check consistency.

Is there any benefit to the viewing window on the RCBS competition seating die? Do any other makers use this? Anyone have one and like it, or not like it?

On the Hornady dies, is the microjust seating stem worth looking at? Appears to be an upgraded dial that will work with their custom grade (lowest end) series.