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recommended dies for handloading 6.5 creedmoor

harry_x1

Khalsa
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Minuteman
Aug 13, 2019
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Hi all...with the severe shortage, I am thinking of handloading 6.5 creedmoor ammo. Can experienced shooters please provide recommendations on the best/recommended dies? thanks a ton !
 
Mighty Armory Sizer and Whidden micrometer seater. "The" seating die from SAC is a great option too, but you pay for the flexibility. If you're not leaving it in a toolhead, the SAC die gets the nod.


...I hope you have primers already. If you think the loaded ammo shortage is bad...
 
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Mighty Armory Sizer and Whidden micrometer seater. "The" seating die from SAC is a great option too, but you pay for the flexibility. If you're not leaving it in a toolhead, the SAC die gets the nod.


...I hope you have primers already. If you think the loaded ammo shortage is bad...
thanks...are primers not available as well? :(...jesus
 
You don't need the three die set, just the full length sizer and micrometer seater will do.

Primers are available - just not with any regularity from retailers at normal prices. If you want to pay $200/1000 they're all over gunbroker....
 
You don't need the three die set, just the full length sizer and micrometer seater will do.

Primers are available - just not with any regularity from retailers at normal prices. If you want to pay $200/1000 they're all over gunbroker....
phew...that is reassuring...when you say two die set...does this meet the cut?

 
phew...that is reassuring...when you say two die set...does this meet the cut?

Seriously don’t start sinking money into reloading hardware unless you are willing to pay a huge premium for primers on GB at 4-10x normal prices. Powder is sometimes available.

Your price per round for bullet/primer/powder will probably be pushing $1 a pop not including your brass before you buy a press, dies, tumbler, primer seater, calipers, comparator set, powder thrower etc.
 
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phew...that is reassuring...when you say two die set...does this meet the cut?


Yes, those are fine if you go the redding route. Remember to grab the bushings too. I'm sure someone else can school you about bushings - I prefer a regular full length sizer, but if I swap I'd probably try the sac bushings.
 
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I have had continuous problems with Redding this year. I tried out the Redding Type S Match die set for 6.5 Creedmoor, and the resizing die clearly had problems (find my thread on here). The Hornady Match Grade set is pretty good for the money, and the bushing resizer has a much better finish than the Redding Type S die. The Redding Comp Seater is great though. The Hornady seater with micrometer works well, but the Redding one has more case support during seating. The Forster Ultra Seater is great and has the same case support body that the Redding Comp seater uses, while costing quite a bit less too. It's a very popular seater among competition shooters.

If I were you, I'd look into getting the Hornady Match Grade die set, or just the Hornady Match Grade bushing resizer with a Forster Ultra Seater.
 
Your price per round for bullet/primer/powder will probably be pushing $1 a pop not including your brass before you buy a press, dies, tumbler, primer seater, calipers, comparator set, powder thrower etc.

Using H4350 8# off hodgdon ($,21/round), primers off gunbroker($,12 $,18/round at best)*, and Berger bullets($,47/round), you're at 86 cents per.**

* I took a swag on pricing. Not sure how much shipping would run, or if they trend higher. Also, I find it dubious that many on GB can legally ship HAZMAT.
** Not including the $800 start up cost of press and such

Stuff is out there, especially powder and bullets, you just have to make an effort to look for it and accept that you're not getting 2018 prices anymore.

EDIT- I just watched a GB auction for old S&B LR primers jump to $170/1000 - and it's not over yet because of this '15 minute rule.' Wow. I'm not sure if its better to just watch a bunch of sites for both primers and loaded ammo and see what pops up first and be happy with that. Poor time to start reloading.
 
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Using H4350 8# off hodgdon ($,21/round), primers off gunbroker($,12 $,18/round at best)*, and Berger bullets($,47/round), you're at 86 cents per.**

* I took a swag on pricing. Not sure how much shipping would run, or if they trend higher. Also, I find it dubious that many on GB can legally ship HAZMAT.
** Not including the $800 start up cost of press and such

Stuff is out there, especially powder and bullets, you just have to make an effort to look for it and accept that you're not getting 2018 prices anymore.

EDIT- I just watched a GB auction for old S&B LR primers jump to $170/1000 - and it's not over yet because of this '15 minute rule.' Wow. I'm not sure if its better to just watch a bunch of sites for both primers and loaded ammo and see what pops up first and be happy with that. Poor time to start reloading.
thanks for these detailed notes. I already handload my 338 lapua's, hence have most of the expensive machinery already in place. All I need is the set of dies (in terms of additional equipment). Till now, I was shooting 147 grain eld match and they work great for my gun, however with this shortage I cannot just get my hands on any. I do shoot a lot (2 days a week) and my stock of 6.5 creedmoor is about to run out..hence the move towards handloading....
 
I would rather see you go with the Redding Master Hunter set. That is a full length sizing die and the micrometer seating die.
 
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