Bad Redding die out of the box

[bob4]

My first Redding die. .270 Win B/FL 7r. Cleaned it thoroughly ran the first Norma through it and it felt sticky/binding towards the top of the stroke using imperial wax sparingly. Made noise like binding/sticking. I thought just brand new, 2nd one will be better. Wrong again. Stuck! I did manage to get it out ( drill and a bit of heat to soften brass. Probably not my smartest move) then took out the de-capper tossed the die in stainless media in case I missed something but after that and cleaning with Hoppes bench rest and dry rags same thing. Binding towards the top of the stroke. This time no bushing or de capper in. Took that piece of brass and it slid like glass through my Forster B/B/N die.
Really wanted a die to fl size, bump, and bushing. I do have a mandrel so the bushing part I could live without but Redding has left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[bob4]

Id like to add I'm not bashing. I know many use these and might not use anything else. Just a case of once bitten twice shy.

 

[cape cove]

I hear what you are saying. I guess any company can make defective product, how they handle it will say something about them.

 

[Mikecr]

New brass? Fired brass?

 

[ShtrRdy]

Have you contacted Redding to help resolve the problem?

 

[bob4]

It's fired brass Mike. all chambers fine and runs through a Forester nicely. I have emailed Redding as per web site to send it in.

 

[SealT5]

Hope they resolve it. I use Redding exclusively now. Never had a problem. Surely the answer is yes but did use case lube? I use sizing wax. Not a fan of hornady one shot

 

[eklarsen]

I really doubt it was a defect from Redding, there dies are top quality. Sounds like not enough lube to me.

 

[bob4]

I really doubt it was a defect from Redding, there dies are top quality. Sounds like not enough lube to me.

Then why would the same cases slide right through my Forster die? Well now that I said that it (Forsters)isn't a FL die. I'll try again today with plenty of lube, although without gobbing it on I'm not sure how much sizing wax you can pile on.. But I have my doubts. Thanks for making me think a bit Elkarsen.

but did use case lube?

] top of the stroke using imperial wax sparingly.

 

[seawolfxix]

I got a bad one from Redding last year, but it was a matter of assembly rather than a machining error. They put a .45 expander in a .44 die body.

After I called them, they sent me the correct expander relatively quickly, and I will continue to use their dies.

 

[bigedp51]

Many of the new dies have a dry film corrosion protection sprayed on them and it must be removed per the dies instructions. If the dry film is not cleaned properly the cases will stick in the die. The instructions in last new die I bought said to clean the die with a bore cleaner like Hoppes bore cleaner.

 

[EWY]

The OP stated that he cleaned the die. Used sizing wax. I'm interested to see what Redding says / does. I like the Redding dies I have, especially the Titanium Carbide pistol dies. For rifle dies I have been going with Forster; nothing against Redding I just like the Forster better.

 

[bigedp51]

Below from the reloading dies instructions, new dies no longer have a oil film protection. And the old ways of cleaning dies with a shot of WD-40 or gun oil and a dry rag are long gone. The OP is not the only one to have stuck cases because the dry film preservative was not properly removed.

When all else fails read the instructions.

Redding Die Preparation

All Redding dies are protected in storage and shipment by a rust preventive film, which should be removed before use. Clean the inside of the die with a good grade of bore solvent and a brass brush and then wipe with a clean patch.

 

[tbird1964]

with the millions of dies they make I am sure a dud gets thru every now and then. I would just call them and if they are like RCBS they will send you a new replacement. Have a lot of Redding dies and so far no problems on any of them.