Me and my brother are reloading partners and I just got a real nice remington 700 in .308 and he has a ar10 and a fal. And we are about to start reloading some .308 and he wants to set up the dies on the 550b for quantity vs quality and I would like to run mine on the rockchucker so I can make the best rounds to my ability. So my question is we need a 2nd set of dies but I don't have a fortune to spend, the set we currently have is Dillion and he said if I bought a set of rcbs I could use the Dillion set. Or should I buy something nicer then the Dillion if so what? I know the redding competition is the best but I can't spend $250 right now. Also I would like to know what type of brass I should buy from him, he has a bunch of range pick up so mostly lake city, RP, and FC and what ever else but I'm sure there isn't any lapua which is obviously what I want but can't find.
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You might as well pony up for some good dies, or just stick with basic, standard versions.
RCBS, Redding, Forster, Dillon, Lyman and Lee all will get the job done.
I use bushing dies and micro seaters where applicable.
You can pay me now, or you can pay me later.
Chris
RCBS, Redding, Forster, Dillon, Lyman and Lee all will get the job done.
I use bushing dies and micro seaters where applicable.
You can pay me now, or you can pay me later.
Chris
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I've had and used Lee, Redding, and Forster. Forster dies are all I use at the moment. Same quality as redding, cost way less. I prefer full length sizers with the neck honed out for my spec, but that's just me. Forster will do that for 12.00 plus shipping. Spring for the ultra mic seating die and sizing die set. It's worth it and will save you money in the end.
Forster Full Length and Ultra Seater Set, 308 Win | Brownells
This is definitely not 250.00 and the quality is the same as redding in my opinion.
Forster Full Length and Ultra Seater Set, 308 Win | Brownells
This is definitely not 250.00 and the quality is the same as redding in my opinion.
Forster. Anyway since you won't be spending too too much on the ammo components since they are so hard to come by right now you might as well invest in quality.
Forster BR Ultra die set is a good bet. You will love the seater with the micrometer on top of it and the seater provides minimal bullet runout. This set gets great reviews. I have this set and am very happy with it. It is not as much as you would spend on the redding but is every bit as good, so I hear anyway.
I think my set was less than $150, can't remember.
Forster BR Ultra die set is a good bet. You will love the seater with the micrometer on top of it and the seater provides minimal bullet runout. This set gets great reviews. I have this set and am very happy with it. It is not as much as you would spend on the redding but is every bit as good, so I hear anyway.
I think my set was less than $150, can't remember.
I like Forster and Redding. Forster gives you better value. Just bought a Whidden bushing sizing die and am impressed with its fit and finish. If fit and finish count then Whidden is a cut above the other two guys. They cost $170 for a sizing die and micrometer seating die.
Whidden Gunworks
Whidden Gunworks
Like I said my brother knows a guy that sells him range pickup for $3 a lb so he has ALOT of brass just no lapua. And I also have 8 lbs of varget 1k of 175 hpbt smks that I already weighed and sorted, and 1500 fiocchi primers so all I need is some good brass I haven't seen lapua anywhere
I've used Redding, RCBS, and now Forster. Forster was the keeper.
Forster or Redding (equal quality to me)
RCBS
Hornady
Lee
That is my order of preference, and quality of the products I have used. Lee dies scratched up my brass shortening case life.
I rarely crimp bullets. I Recommend against use range of range pickup rifle brass unless you get it from someone as first fired factory. the main problem is that you do not know how many times it has been fired, or if it was overcharged, or oversized.
RCBS
Hornady
Lee
That is my order of preference, and quality of the products I have used. Lee dies scratched up my brass shortening case life.
I rarely crimp bullets. I Recommend against use range of range pickup rifle brass unless you get it from someone as first fired factory. the main problem is that you do not know how many times it has been fired, or if it was overcharged, or oversized.
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A lot of good information here. I went through the same process to determine my die setup. I also use a Dillon 550B.
A couple of things I learned. The Forster FL 308 NM die has an inside neck diameter of the .328” and the expander .307”. For the Lake City brass I am using, that is way too much manipulation on the case neck. May be too much for Win brass too. I eventually went with a Forster Bump Bushing die, this allows you to change bushings to accommodate different types of brass. For Full Length sizing I use the Redding Body die as needed on a seperate tool head or single stage press. I use the Forster Micro Seater.
My Dillon setup is:
Stage 1 - Forster Bump Bushing Die
Stage 2 - Dillon AT500 funnel to drop powder measured with RCBS Chargemaster
Stage 3 - Forster Micro Seater
Stage 4 - open or crimp die if needed
A couple of things I learned. The Forster FL 308 NM die has an inside neck diameter of the .328” and the expander .307”. For the Lake City brass I am using, that is way too much manipulation on the case neck. May be too much for Win brass too. I eventually went with a Forster Bump Bushing die, this allows you to change bushings to accommodate different types of brass. For Full Length sizing I use the Redding Body die as needed on a seperate tool head or single stage press. I use the Forster Micro Seater.
My Dillon setup is:
Stage 1 - Forster Bump Bushing Die
Stage 2 - Dillon AT500 funnel to drop powder measured with RCBS Chargemaster
Stage 3 - Forster Micro Seater
Stage 4 - open or crimp die if needed
Yes, I use the Dillon 550B and I get real good consistency and accuracy out of it.
forster benchrest dies!! I am using lee deluxe for 308 now and I hate them compared to my forster dies the coal is very consistent. Lee's are not consistent at all!
Same here, it just works well like it should
NoFail.. Im in love with your avatar!!!!!! i can not looking at it, good lord 
When I used a rockchucker my accurate die set was the RCBS competition dies...what I liked was the window for dropping a bullet into the neck along with the micrometer.
What I'd like is that seater with a bushing neck die...for bolt guns.
What I'd like is that seater with a bushing neck die...for bolt guns.
"I know the redding competition is the best but I can't spend $250 right now."
Best is subjective. Reddings are prettiest and therefore the most costly and, with their fancy bushings, more gimmicky, but it will take a long time and a lot of learning before you could get any benefit from all that money.
Rifle dies come in two grades. Redding and Forster are tied for first place (because of their seater design, not tolerances). All others are tied for second (again for the seaters), and second place is really quite good. Get any common die set at a price you're comfortable paying and be confident that, on average, any given set used correctly can produce better quality ammo than most people can make. I have some Lee dies that load as precisely as some of my Forsters/Reddings. You can't "buy" accuracy, just learning how to develop accurate loads is far more critical than the dies or press or anything else in a store!
For brass, none of it's magically good or bad. Use whatever you can get the most of and learn how to select and prepare it for accuracy use. Properly selected and prepped common brands will shoot as well as the greatly touted Laupua, it just requires a bit more of your time.
Best is subjective. Reddings are prettiest and therefore the most costly and, with their fancy bushings, more gimmicky, but it will take a long time and a lot of learning before you could get any benefit from all that money.
Rifle dies come in two grades. Redding and Forster are tied for first place (because of their seater design, not tolerances). All others are tied for second (again for the seaters), and second place is really quite good. Get any common die set at a price you're comfortable paying and be confident that, on average, any given set used correctly can produce better quality ammo than most people can make. I have some Lee dies that load as precisely as some of my Forsters/Reddings. You can't "buy" accuracy, just learning how to develop accurate loads is far more critical than the dies or press or anything else in a store!
For brass, none of it's magically good or bad. Use whatever you can get the most of and learn how to select and prepare it for accuracy use. Properly selected and prepped common brands will shoot as well as the greatly touted Laupua, it just requires a bit more of your time.
Redding body and seater. Lee collet die. Tried the redding bushing goodness and wow.... Talk about expensive to experiment with neck tension.
I don't believe the benchrest seater has the micrometer... Only the ultra.
