Redding Type-S Elite Die Set Review

The Redding Type-S has reigned supreme for the longest time. Does it still stack up?

Disclosure: this product was provided to Reloading All Day in partnership with Natchez

This three die set from Redding includes a full-length bushing sizing die, a neck bushing sizing die, and a micrometer adjustable seating die. Included in the box—which is also useful as a case tray for standard and magnum cartridges—are Allen keys, an extra decapping pin, a button replacer in case you don’t want to use the expander button, and the typical paper products: instructional literature and a Redding sticker. An important note: for the current price of $292.49, bushings are not included with these dies and will need to be purchased separately. We chose to use Redding bushings in our time testing with these.

The Type-S Bushing Full Length Sizing Die

The sizing dies are very similar, both including decapping stems. With bushings installed, you of course have a full length and neck sizing die, as is advertised on the box; Redding also instructs that with the bushing removed, the full length die will function as a body die and the neck die will function as a decapping die. This versatility offers basically any configuration of die you may need for your sizing applications. 

Operation is just like any bushing die: the bushing is inserted in the top of the die, the spindle tightened and backed off a small amount, and the lock ring set against the die body. Headspace is controlled by turning the die into or out of the press and the die lock rings are of a set screw variety, backed by what I believe is a piece of lead shot, so as not to damage the threads of the die when locking it down. The decapping assembly can be adjusted by threading it into or out of the bushing plug. The only frustrating bit about it is that you cannot adjust it while the die is assembled. The bushing plug must be removed before the thumb nut can be loosened and the decapper adjusted up or down. Thankfully, this is generally a "set it and forget it" adjustment on any die.

The finish on the inside of the die is very good and I didn't notice any more or less fuss when sizing with these compared to any other die in my current lineup. The expander button is a polished steel, but carbide options are available if you want to do away with needing to lube the inside of your case necks.

For the purposes of this review, the neck sizing die was not specifically used, but it displays the same quality and build of the full length sizing die. The parts are identical between the two dies, except that the die body does not size the case at all.

The Competition Seating Die

The seating die is machined to very precise tolerances. The internal sliding sleeve is cut in the same way as a rifle chamber and the fit in the die body closely resembles an air bearing. The seating stem fits much of the same way into the sliding sleeve. If you insert the seating stem into the bullet alignment bore and plug the other end of the sleeve with your thumb, the seating stem will bounce as you press on it because of the air that it has trapped inside.

Both the seating stem and the sliding sleeve are independent of the micrometer adjustment, which allows them to be machined to these tolerances. Redding even warns to be extremely careful when disassembling this die to not get any debris trapped in the grease lubricating these parts as it could be detrimental to the function of the die.

What this sliding sleeve design produces is a die that captures the entire cartridge and centers it before the seating stem even thinks about applying pressure to the bullet. It offers incredibly smooth operation and very straight ammunition.

The die produced ammunition with a TIR of 0.0005-0.006" when measured to the ogive of a Sierra 177gn MatchKing, 0.6" forward of the case mouth. Average TIR was 0.003" and TIR SD was 0.0013". This would be an average TIR of 0.32°. This is wonderful performance from our die set sample.

Detractors

The major issue that I had when using these dies was limited to Cutting Edge projectiles. Because the alignment sleeve is cut to very close dimensions to align the bullet with the case more precisely (the ID of the sleeve at the case mouth was about .309") and the Cutting Edge bullet features their patented Seal-Tite band (which measured .310" on my projectiles) this combination exhibited an interference fit. This was not the only die in our current batch of testing that exhibited this interference and it doesn't necessarily speak to an issue with the die or projectiles, just that there is an incompatibility that consumers should be aware of if buying this die set. The seating die performed flawlessly with standard cup and core projectiles.

In addition, Redding states in the manual that because the seating stem is ground to bullet dimensions, the walls of it are relatively thin and it should be treated like a precision instrument. Because of this they do not recommend loading compressed charges with the Competition Seating Die as it could crack the walls of the seating stem. Compressed charges are something we try to stay away from at Reloading All Day, so it isn't an issue for us, but it may be a consideration for other reloaders.

Redding Type-S Elite Die Set: Final Thoughts

The Redding Type-S Elite die set has been a common high quality die option for years and it seems that Redding continues to drive quality in the industry. I see these dies recommended on websites and forums often, and I'd have to agree that these are a very good choice for precision reloading. The price tag may be a little overwhelming to guys that aren't trying to be on the bleeding edge of performance, but they are in a range that is attainable for most shooters if they're looking to upgrade equipment. I, for one, will probably be keeping this set around and definitely will be looking at Redding options for any new cartridges that make their way across my reloading bench.

If you're in the market for the dies used in this testing, you can find them here: Redding Type-S Elite Die Set

Be sure to use code RAD10 for 10% off your purchase of over $100!

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About the Author

Peyton is a new contributor to Reloading All Day. With a background in mathematics and engineering, Peyton has always been looking for ways to pursue his passions of reloading and long range shooting in a professional manner.

Growing up on a farm in southeast Missouri, the rifle was always a tool for dispatching predator and prey alike. The search for precision began here, at an early age.

With the tools and resources that Reloading All Day can bring to the table, he will continue to pursue the testing of hypothesis on what makes rifles precise and delivering that information to reloaders and shooters through his writing.