00 Fireball/Whisper dies - I compared both.
 

I started with Redding 300-221 dies because I read that "SSK dies were expensive."

I was not really happy with the Redding dies because the thin shaft on the expander seems easy to bend, and the crimp ring did not see adjustable to work with my cases that were less than max OAL but still in spec.

I ordered SSK/Hornady Whisper dies and did not ask the price. They charged $76.96 including delivery by priority mail. They came two days later. I don't see how this can be called expensive for a 3-die set.

I like them much more because:

1. The expander is massively beefy. There is no possible way it can bend.
2. The bullet seater is very adjustable and it can crimp anything.
3. It seems to make the case body about 0.001 smaller which should help reliability.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8513/mg6237.jpg

Redding on left, Hornady/SSK on right.

I recommend the SSK dies.

I am assuming the SSK dies are for their .300 Whisper chamber? And thus the difference in dimension. No doubt that is a beefy expander. Looks like a very good quality die you can tell a lot went into engineering/designing that. Can you show a picture of the seating die? That is comparable or even equal to the Redding dies two die set. Thanks for posting

Thanks for showing the difference. I agree that the price difference isn't that much compared to the Redding set.

Thanks for the pics
I purchased a Redding 300x221 die close to 20 years ago and it has served me well. I used it to load for silhouette and have run thousands of rounds through it. I purchased it because of the price difference between the ssk and redding. Up until that time I only purchased RCBS dies. The workmanship and the care in manufacturing the Redding dies convinced me to switch over to Redding and I have bought few other dies since then. I have wandered and tried hornady, lee, lyman and dillion over the years but am usually disapointed in fit and finish. They all seem to work fine but for only a few dollars more I will purchase the redding.
Maybe my time in a machine shop lets me appreciate the extra time spent on the reddings vs other but I like them. Everyone has their favorites and they all work well. Enjoy. Don't worry about the wimpy looking decapping rod, most of the dies I have are very similiar. I have only bent one and it was my fault. I was playing around with wildcat mockups.
I have also been very impressed with the Redding customer service. When I was looking for 300-221 dies back in the dark ages I called Redding. The engineer that drew up the drawing on the 300-221 for redding actually called me, sent me a drawing(probably have it somewhere) and assured me that the die would for for my contender. I have since called and had the engineers check on reamer prints vs die dimensions on a 6x45. They must be a relatively small outfit and they are incredable to work with.
TXJM

I bend pins all the time and it is always my fault. However, it is possible to design one which cannot be bent such as the SSK/Hornady.

I have read many times that people say Redding are the best and have the nicest finish, but I have never noticed that. I am not sure which of my dies are the nicest but I would tend to think Hornady then RCBS then Redding. I have many of each.

It's kind of odd seeing junior member beside your name. :welcome:

Does the Redding set come with an expander die for necking up 221 brass? A friend just bought a set.

Personally I use the Hornady New Dimension dies which do come with the expander die and have been very happy with them.

Hello ......... Mr Silvers. :welcome:

Yes they do. Or at least they should.

No kidding !!! :wink:

My Redding die came with two expander balls one for necking up from 22 to like 7mm - the other the standard tapered 30 cal which handles taking it from 7mm to 30 cal and all regular 30 cal sizing of the already formed cases.