Just curious what would be considered as some of the best dies? I have seen the RCBS comp dies but is there something out there that may be better?
- Thread starter Utah Shooter
- Start date
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
Redding and Forester = tops
Redding Type S Competition set Full Length for me
Redding and Forester = tops
Redding Type S Competition set Full Length for me
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
+1 for redding or forester.
Wilson are great if you don't mind hand die's
+1 for redding or forester.
Wilson are great if you don't mind hand die's
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
Ill 3rd the Redding and Forester, and give the edge to the Redding I use the competion dies and love them! However I have also used the Forester benchrest dies and get very uniform results from them.
Ill 3rd the Redding and Forester, and give the edge to the Redding I use the competion dies and love them! However I have also used the Forester benchrest dies and get very uniform results from them.
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
THE BEST are Neil Jones or Warner Tooling custom dies. You need to send in 3 neck-only sized 3X fired cases to have them made, but they will fit your chamber precisely.
Otherwise, Redding and Forster have good reputations.
THE BEST are Neil Jones or Warner Tooling custom dies. You need to send in 3 neck-only sized 3X fired cases to have them made, but they will fit your chamber precisely.
Otherwise, Redding and Forster have good reputations.
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
"I have seen the RCBS comp dies but is there something out there that may be better?"
IMHO, those are no 'better' than standard dies but of the normally available commercial dies Forster and Redding are tops. Actually, on average, standard dies are quite good and a 'good' standard die will work as well as any premium die.
Quality work can't be guaranteed by purchasing tools in a specific color box and it's a rare handloader with skill that exceeds the quality of work that can be done with a standard die set. Those who get better results with premium dies generally also do a LOT of things to cases that most reloaders don't do and simply changing dies won't change that!
"I have seen the RCBS comp dies but is there something out there that may be better?"
IMHO, those are no 'better' than standard dies but of the normally available commercial dies Forster and Redding are tops. Actually, on average, standard dies are quite good and a 'good' standard die will work as well as any premium die.
Quality work can't be guaranteed by purchasing tools in a specific color box and it's a rare handloader with skill that exceeds the quality of work that can be done with a standard die set. Those who get better results with premium dies generally also do a LOT of things to cases that most reloaders don't do and simply changing dies won't change that!
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
Well I have a set of the RCBS FL dies. Just looking to up the reloading. I know that I have a lot of reading to still do to figure it all out.
Well I have a set of the RCBS FL dies. Just looking to up the reloading. I know that I have a lot of reading to still do to figure it all out.
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
Forster Micrometer seating dies.
Forster Micrometer seating dies.
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
redding comp seating die here!
redding comp seating die here!
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
The Lee Collet Nick Sizing Die has no superiors!
Also I am finding that the Hornady New Dimension Seater is pretty dam consistent.
So far I have not found any need to upgrade to the superior "match comp" dies.
The Lee Collet Nick Sizing Die has no superiors!
Also I am finding that the Hornady New Dimension Seater is pretty dam consistent.
So far I have not found any need to upgrade to the superior "match comp" dies.
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
not hornady new dimension custom
bought these on the cheap just to reload for my buddies AR10 to help him out and i have had nothing but problems with these dies. Something is out of whack, either it is making the necks to small then the expander ball can not come out very easily or the expander ball is too large. Either way extracting a sized case is a pain in the ass
not hornady new dimension custom
bought these on the cheap just to reload for my buddies AR10 to help him out and i have had nothing but problems with these dies. Something is out of whack, either it is making the necks to small then the expander ball can not come out very easily or the expander ball is too large. Either way extracting a sized case is a pain in the ass
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
I also have the Lee neck sizer. priced right for sure.
I also have the Lee neck sizer. priced right for sure.
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SubXerO</div><div class="ubbcode-body">not hornady new dimension custom
bought these on the cheap just to reload for my buddies AR10 to help him out and i have had nothing but problems with these dies. Something is out of whack, either it is making the necks to small then the expander ball can not come out very easily or the expander ball is too large. Either way extracting a sized case is a pain in the ass
</div></div>
I had the same issue with the ND full sizer die. I had to liberally lube the case, but then the excess lube caused the case to dent. Now I only use my Lee Dies to full size, and excess lube is not a problem with the Lee die.
.308 LC Military brass is dam tough to size. Usually the brass is shot from a Machine Gun with loose headspace so very hard to get them back to normal that first time sizing. In addition, the primers are crimped in, and the brass is thick! I have a process for sizing once fired military brass, first I decapp ( no sizing), then I lube every case on the walls with mobil-1, then I run it through the sizer 2 times. Once you get LC brass back in spec, they are last forever. I am getting about 10 firings from my AR-10. For a bolt gun, .308 LC brass probably will last 20+ firings easily.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SubXerO</div><div class="ubbcode-body">not hornady new dimension custom
bought these on the cheap just to reload for my buddies AR10 to help him out and i have had nothing but problems with these dies. Something is out of whack, either it is making the necks to small then the expander ball can not come out very easily or the expander ball is too large. Either way extracting a sized case is a pain in the ass
</div></div>
I had the same issue with the ND full sizer die. I had to liberally lube the case, but then the excess lube caused the case to dent. Now I only use my Lee Dies to full size, and excess lube is not a problem with the Lee die.
.308 LC Military brass is dam tough to size. Usually the brass is shot from a Machine Gun with loose headspace so very hard to get them back to normal that first time sizing. In addition, the primers are crimped in, and the brass is thick! I have a process for sizing once fired military brass, first I decapp ( no sizing), then I lube every case on the walls with mobil-1, then I run it through the sizer 2 times. Once you get LC brass back in spec, they are last forever. I am getting about 10 firings from my AR-10. For a bolt gun, .308 LC brass probably will last 20+ firings easily.
Re: Best reloading dies for .308?
Another for the Redding Comp dies... They've worked great for me and weren't to difficult for a complete newb lol
Another for the Redding Comp dies... They've worked great for me and weren't to difficult for a complete newb lol
