Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

[GentleBen]

I've been reloading for .223 with Redding bushing dies for several years now and also have used mostly Lapua and Lake City brass.

But this is my first foray into .308 bolt gun (Rem 700 SPS Tac. AAC 20-inch) hand loading and the I am going to start with a Redding full-length sizer and competition seater set.

Question is: What are the best three bushing sizes to begin with? Most of the early brass will be what I fire from commercially loaded Nosler, Hornady and Winchester cartridges.

I measured the loaded rounds and got a wide range of results. Would starting with .333, .334 and .335 bushings suit my needs? Which size(s) would you start with?

Is there a specific thread addressing this issue?

Thanks for your patience.

 

[joey fox]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

Im new to reloading as well but have a good bit of experiance with machining. I would find the most consistent size out maybe 20 loaded rounds and go from there.

the one i have is .336

 

[Rob01]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

Winchester should be a .331, Hornady is most likely a .333 and not sure on nosler. Lapua is usually .335-.336.

Measure the loaded ammo necks you have and subtract .002 to be closer.

 

[jdmartin]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

I think the Redding dies are excellent.I use the same die set you are using.The general instructions from Redding are to go 1 thousandth below the diameter of the loaded round you are going to shoot.For instance Federal gold metal match measures about .337 so .336 would be a reasonable start for that brass- bullet combination.
The real answer depends on what brass you use.Decide on your brass,load up a round ,measure the loaded neck,go at least one thousandth smaller . If after testing powder charges and tuning length you still are not satisfied that the load is shooting as well as possible then try other smaller busing sizes to see if more neck tension improves your groups.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

I use a 332 for the final bushing with Win brass.
I use a 338 for the first step from 0.3445 obturated diameter.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

In 308 Win., I use a .331" for Winchester brass, .333" for Hornady brass, .335" for Remington brass and a .337" for Federal brass.

My measurements were calculated using the O/D of a loaded round and subtracting .001" using a 0-1" mic, not a caliper since my calipers are not high end tools. This has worked for me in my bolt guns. You can be safe by using the O/D minus .002" if you wish.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

<span style="font-style: italic">".. <span style="text-decoration: underline">measured the loaded rounds and got a wide range of results</span>. Would starting with .333, .334 and .335 bushings suit my needs? Which size(s) would you start with?"</span>

Without knowing what you've measured I haven't a clue. ??

 

[pcschwenke]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

I have a 0.333 and 0.338 and they work for Remington, Winchester, Federal, and Lapua just fine. I don't see a need for anything else unless I start neck turning the brass.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

If you're going to size with bushing dies (brand doesn't matter) two things are of importance. One is uniform neck wall thickness thus neck turning is highly recommended if only to make the neck wall thickness uniform for a given batch. Second, one needs to make a dummy round by just seating a bullet in a sample case then measure the OD of the meck.

These two steps yield the most accurate measurements and make bushing size selection simple.

Once the OD with bullet in place is determined then just subract the amount of "tension" you want and there's the bushing size.

If you aren't neck turning, even if only to "uniform" the case necks, you're missing out on one of the main benefits to using a bushing die to begin with. If not turning, just get a Lee Collet Die. It will yield nice, straight, neck sized, cases with uniform tension every time as the neck is formed on a mandrel and not subject to an expander ball following the path of least resistance.

 

[littlerascal56]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

My loading notes show the exact same bushing sizes as Rob01 listed. They have worked for many, many reloads.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use a 332 for the final bushing with Win brass.
I use a 338 for the first step from 0.3445 obturated diameter.</div></div>

Good thing to mention, stepping down. They recommend not sizing down more than .005" at a time so you don't get excessive runout. I actually have mine set up in a progressive to size brass and for Win I have the first stage at .339, then .335" and then .331. I have an open space in there between .339 and .335 incase I need to put in a body die and body size and bump shoulder back .001".

 

[ZiaHunter]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

I measure the neck wall thickness add the bullet diameter then subtract the desired neck tension to arrive at the bushing size. This works well as long as as the neck wall thicknesses are relatively consistent. For my bolt guns, I turn the necks on new brass to obtain a consistent thickness although with Lapua brass it is generally not necessary due to its consistency. Rob01 is correct in his post about not sizing down more than .005 at a time if you want to minimize runout.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use a 332 for the final bushing with Win brass.
I use a 338 for the first step from 0.3445 obturated diameter. </div></div>

Yeah, much like Rob01 using a .331" for Winchester, I've got a batch from their hunting ammo and my .332" is just barely enough. I wish I had a .331" bushing for those 50 cases.

Now, I have bagged Winchester component brass and those like a .334" or perhaps a .333" TiNi bushing, both which I have, so Winchester can be a bit spotty on consistency.

For me, and I have a lot of bushings, I like the .339" or .340" bushings as 'stepdowns' for my Savage 10FP LE2b's .344"-.345" factory neck.

Lapua: .336" for me.

LC: .335" for me.

Federal/RP: .333"-.334"

Winchester: .331" or .333"-.334".

Norma stuff, which I haven't reloaded yet, probably in the middle of that range.

I use TiNi bushings exclusively and I try and shoot for .002"-.003" of neck constriction, in a perfect world.

Chris

 

[waste_knot]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

I've got a 0.336 that measures 0.334 and a 0.335 that measures 0.333. Are Redding bushings normally undersized?
My wincherter brass has a neck wall of 0.013 and a few were 0.012~ 0.0115. These had no neck tension with a .335 bushing.
I did some Hornady with 0.014 wall and used the 0.336 and had plenty of tension. I would say the greatest factor is the wall thickness.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: waste_knot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got a 0.336 that measures 0.334 and a 0.335 that measures 0.333. Are Redding bushings normally undersized?
My wincherter brass has a neck wall of 0.013 and a few were 0.012~ 0.0115. These had no neck tension with a .335 bushing.
I did some Hornady with 0.014 wall and used the 0.336 and had plenty of tension. I would say the greatest factor is the wall thickness. </div></div>

If I understand things correctly, the final number is supposed to account for approximately .001" of spring back when things are sized, so a .334" bushing should measure a little less, say .333" and then with that small amount of spring back, you arrive at your bushing's target number.

Also, you really need a tube mic to get an accurate reading, as calipers can be a bit spoty when measuring inside diameters.

Chris

 

[GentleBen]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

Well, hell, I just went ahead and ordered seven TiNi Redding dies .331 through .337 -- what's another $100 bucks if it saves me time and gets me the accuracy I want. I also bought the Redding full length sizer, neck sizer and competition seater dies with extra carbide decapping buttons.

I half-assed enough stuff in .223 that I learned my lesson about buying cheap ... and then keep buying and replacing it.

I want to do it right the first time to start with.

Biggest difference is that I shoot a lot of .223 in semi-auto as well as bolt guns and I sure love that Dillon full-length for semi-autos. I don't intend to get into .308 semi-autos so no need for the Dillon in .308.

Thanks for your views, all.

 

[okiefired]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GentleBen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been reloading for .223 with Redding bushing dies for several years now and also have used mostly Lapua and Lake City brass.

But this is my first foray into .308 bolt gun (Rem 700 SPS Tac. AAC 20-inch) hand loading and the I am going to start with a Redding full-length sizer and competition seater set.

Question is: What are the best three bushing sizes to begin with? Most of the early brass will be what I fire from commercially loaded Nosler, Hornady and Winchester cartridges.

I measured the loaded rounds and got a wide range of results. Would starting with .333, .334 and .335 bushings suit my needs? Which size(s) would you start with?

Is there a specific thread addressing this issue?

Thanks for your patience.

</div></div>

Full length sizers with bushings???

 

[GentleBen]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

This is from Redding -- RE: using bushings in a full-length sizer...

Type S – Full Bushing Die
Full length resizing while maintaining exact control of the case neck is often desirable in one operation. The new Type S - Full Length Resizing/Bushing Die accomplishes this task with the precision you would expect from Redding.

Uses the same interchangeable bushings (.001" increments) as those used in our bushing style neck sizing dies.
The adjustable decapping rod allows you to adjust the bushing position, sizing only part of the neck length when desire d .
Concentricity is enhanced by the ability of the bushing to self-center on the neck of the cartridge case.
All Type S (except 17 and 20 Cal.) dies are supplied with both the standard size button and a decapping pin retainer for the advantages and versatility described under our Type S - Bushing Style Neck Sizing Dies.

Note: By removing the bushing and all internal parts, the Type-S full bushing die may also be used as a body die.

All dies are supplied without bushings.

 

[okiefired]

Re: Redding Bushing sizes -- new to 308

I know they CAN be used in a full length die, I was just wondering why you would want to when sizeing for a bolt act. rifle unless you're trying to remedy some sort of problem w/ cycling. Thanks for the Redding post though, I probably read that for the first time about 30 yrs ago.

Okie