Hey guys, fixing to start reloading for 308. Have almost everything except my sizing and seating dies. what do you recommend and why? Not sure if im going to do any "off the lands" stuff as im new to the game.
- Thread starter bigmike2121
- Start date
Can't go wrong with Redding or forester dies. Great consistency/ accuracy
I really like the Hornady New Dimension dies. The alignment sleeve on the seater really minimizes runout. I have them for all my rifles. Used with the CoAx press where everything self aligns I seldom see more than .002" runout on the concentricity tool.
I added the micrometer seating adjusters to all mine to allow for minor/ accurate seating depth changes.
I added the micrometer seating adjusters to all mine to allow for minor/ accurate seating depth changes.
I have RCBS everything. I have been able to produce highly accurate rounds in 308 with standard dies. I do load some rounds to the grooves but its because the bullets i tried like to be that close (berger 155.5 fulbore). it may be a little more time consuming than a die with a micrometer but easily done. once it is set it doesn't move.
What type of rifle are you reloading for? Bolt action, repeater? Are you bulk loading, loading for accuracy, or just loading to save money? Are you using a progressive press, or just a single stage?
All of the above questions would make a difference in how much I would spend and which dies I would buy.
If loading for a repeater, I would play it safe and get a small base die for the re-sizing die. Save yourself some money and get the Hornady seating die as it is the lowest cost die I know of with a floating sleeve which makes loading that much easier and helps accuracy as well.
If you are precision loading for a bolt action rifle, then I would bite the bullet and get a set of Redding neck sizing dies as you are going to end up buying them sooner or later.
If this is just for a hunting rifle, then I would just get a set of the Hornady dies as they have some great features for the price.
Don't get me wrong, RCBS, Forester, etc, all make great dies that will load accurate rounds. I just find the above dies to offer a few more features that make my reloading life easier.
All of the above questions would make a difference in how much I would spend and which dies I would buy.
If loading for a repeater, I would play it safe and get a small base die for the re-sizing die. Save yourself some money and get the Hornady seating die as it is the lowest cost die I know of with a floating sleeve which makes loading that much easier and helps accuracy as well.
If you are precision loading for a bolt action rifle, then I would bite the bullet and get a set of Redding neck sizing dies as you are going to end up buying them sooner or later.
If this is just for a hunting rifle, then I would just get a set of the Hornady dies as they have some great features for the price.
Don't get me wrong, RCBS, Forester, etc, all make great dies that will load accurate rounds. I just find the above dies to offer a few more features that make my reloading life easier.
A set of Lee Collet dies has been helpful to me
There is really no wrong answer. Any brand will work, and probably load more accurate ammo than factory, and better than most factory rifles will shoot. If you are just starting out, I would recommend any 2 die full length set. After you gain some experience you can get into bushing dies, inline seaters, and custom dies. Your 2 die set will be a minimum investment and will hold its value pretty well if you decide to upgrade later. Lightman
I'm using a lee collet die and neck sizing for the first 4 loadings. I have a redding body die to bump the shoulder after that and a redding competition micrometer seating die. My runout is nearly zero. I think I paid $100 for the seating die and it's been worth every penny.
Is it necessary to spend that much on dies? If you are shooting 300 yards then no. If you are shooting 800 + then spend the money. Buy once, cry once.
Is it necessary to spend that much on dies? If you are shooting 300 yards then no. If you are shooting 800 + then spend the money. Buy once, cry once.
I use the Redding competition die set. It has the FL sizing die which I always do, I know some people neck size only but I always full length resize.
It also comes with the micrometer seating die, which I must say is a must have if you are serious about precision handloads.
It also comes with the micrometer seating die, which I must say is a must have if you are serious about precision handloads.
IT will somewhat depend on your intended use, but I prefer Redding, Forster, and Hornady. I still have 1 or 2 sets of Lee and RCBS, but I found 2 sets of RCBS dies were out of spec, so I stopped buying them, sold a few, and replaced with Redding. I have tried every die with the exception of Whidden , and some are worth the extra green, some are not. I would probably recommend a different set of dies for an autoloader, factory bolt action, or a custom gun, depending on the reamer, and cartridge.
My vote goes to the Redding competition die set. Can't get any better outside buying full custom made dies.
I've got the NS and FL "Custom" sizers from Hornady, they work great, and their new dimension dies as well, I dont use the latter any longer now that Ive got the bushing dies. The Hornady seater has been working well for me. But I can suggest the Forster Ultra micrometer seater.
Hornady Match Grade New Dimension Bushing Neck Sizer Die 308
Hornady Match Grade New Dimension Bushing Full Length Sizer Die 308
Hornady Match Grade New Dimension Bushing Neck Sizer Die 308
Hornady Match Grade New Dimension Bushing Full Length Sizer Die 308
+1
I bought some Forsters from a member here, they are a great set, easy to use/adjust and very easy to produce consistent and reliable loads.
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