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.308 WIN dies

johnsobr

johnsobr

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Minuteman
Dec 23, 2010
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#1
I am looking to purchase some new .308 dies. I have been using a friend's dies for a while but he has them set for his rifle and I don't want to change them on him. I'm looking for a good set of FL dies. The press I am using is a RCBS rock chucker. I have read about the redding bushing dies but i dont know what will fit or what will not. I have also looked at the RCBS X dies and the gold metal dies. Any one with some good experiance please let me know. All input would be appreciated. I do like the idea of being able to drop a bullet through the side of the RCBS dies.

Thanks!!
 
#2
Re: .308 WIN dies

Have a look at the Forster Ultraseater F/L Die set.

Good value for money.

The Ultraseater is sweet, easy to zero, and makes it easy to alter seating depths should you wish to change. I have set my zero as the distance to my lands, so if i want to make changes or return back to the lands its easy.

The FL die is also good and has an expander ball that is easier to pull thru the necks... much easier than using my RCBS FL sizing die. The forster requires less force
 
#3
Re: .308 WIN dies

Get a forster brenchrest f/l sizer die and send it to them and get it honed for your rifle/brass to hold 2-3k neck tension.Remove the expander ball and use a sinclair "oversized" expander mandrel.In the end you will be holding 1.75-2k neck tension.Using this with the forster b/r seater die i have loaded ammo in lapua cases that shot less than .25 moa.
 
#10
Re: .308 WIN dies

Would you recommend FL or neck sizer? I've always used FL dies but I understand the principal of flash formed cases. What are the benefits/cons
of either? Do neck sizers require more prep time?
 
#11
Re: .308 WIN dies

I use F/L vs neck dies because with F/L dies I will always have the same case volume after the first firing.With "neck sizing only" the case increases everytime its fired,It seems counterproductive to me to try and keep everything constant as possible yet one of the most important factors changes.I yank the expander ball for numerous reasons,then use the expander mandrel to push whatever flaws that I might have formed by resizing to the outside of the neck.Using the oversized mandrel also puts my neck tension right where I want it with new or fired cases.Everyone will tell you something different but this works for me,I have loaded ammo that has shot 5 shot groups in the 1/10s @ 200 and have shot clover leaf groups at 400.Beyond 500 depending on my wind calls less than .5 is the norm.This is out of my AI AE MK1 with the original barrel.This is just the way I reload and it works for me and like I always say if it aint broke dont fix it.
 
#12
Re: .308 WIN dies

I can't really give you an accurate comparison,this is the only way I have ever resized.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">MedicGordo, could you have not achieved the same accuracy with the FL die as standard? Just after your opinion as im new to having dies honed. </div></div>
 
#13
Re: .308 WIN dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MedicGordo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use F/L vs neck dies because with F/L dies I will always have the same case volume after the first firing.With "neck sizing only" the case increases everytime its fired,It seems counterproductive to me to try and keep everything constant as possible yet one of the most important factors changes.</div></div>

MedicGordo, with the neck sizing, are you saying that it changes everytime because of the chamber on the rifle changing or for another reason? Once you fire-form the case, the case is always set to the dimensions of the chamber. There is minimal rebound of the brass after firing, but nothing like what you get from FL sizing. I'm just trying to better understand your thoughts. The only thing that I don't neck size is semi-auto rounds, which I only set back .003" with the FL die. This seems to work the brass far less and I have not had any problems with feedling.

As for the dies, hard to go wrong with Redding or Forster. Both make excellent dies.
 
#14
Re: .308 WIN dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MedicGordo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get a forster brenchrest f/l sizer die and send it to them and get it honed for your rifle/brass to hold 2-3k neck tension.Remove the expander ball and use a sinclair "oversized" expander mandrel.In the end you will be holding 1.75-2k neck tension.Using this with the forster b/r seater die i have loaded ammo in lapua cases that shot less than .25 moa. </div></div>

if you don't mind, whats the sinclair product # for the oversize mandrel? i load 308, 30-06 and 300 H&H and think i could switch the mandrel or buy three and leave em on. but don't see what ur talking about in their catalog. THANKS
 
#16
Re: .308 WIN dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sergeant69</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MedicGordo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get a forster brenchrest f/l sizer die and send it to them and get it honed for your rifle/brass to hold 2-3k neck tension.Remove the expander ball and use a sinclair "oversized" expander mandrel.In the end you will be holding 1.75-2k neck tension.Using this with the forster b/r seater die i have loaded ammo in lapua cases that shot less than .25 moa. </div></div>

if you don't mind, whats the sinclair product # for the oversize mandrel? i load 308, 30-06 and 300 H&H and think i could switch the mandrel or buy three and leave em on. but don't see what ur talking about in their catalog. THANKS </div></div>Just go to their search and put in mandrel,you will see the oversized mandrel .307,you will need a die for it as well.the whole set up will cost about 30$.btw you only need one for all .308 cal. brass.
 
#17
Re: .308 WIN dies

Head2H20:Like I said everyone has their own way,this is the way I resize and it produces very accurate loads in my rifle.I understand what you are saying about springback ect. but the way I'm doing it works for me.there is enough info. In the reloading stickys for anyone to learn and come up with their own process.
 
#18
Re: .308 WIN dies

MedicGordo,

I guess what I was trying to ask is about the case volume. I understand it not changing with regards to the FL die, but which dimensions on the case are changing with neck sizing after the fire forming process has been completed? Your comment makes me think that there is something that I am missing and that maybe I should at least investigate FL sizing my brass.

Agreed, there are multiple ways to get to the same endpoint. I am just curious if yours is more efficient.

Thanks.
 
#19
Re: .308 WIN dies

This is copied from a sticky reloading 101by DOC76251 he explains it and has a valid point IMO.Let me say that I Full Length (FL) resize ALL my brass EVERY time. I have never understood the concept of neck sizing brass. Nor do I agree with the idea that I am working the brass too much by full length sizing each time.

Here is why: If you only size the neck of the brass, the body will continue to grow as the brass springs back less and less after each firing. It makes sense to me that if the outside is growing, the inside (case volume) must be getting larger also. That means that the volume is increasing, which ultimately means you are getting less pressure each time you reload. Your velocities will get lower (or at least will be changing) after each reload. This does not lend itself to consistency in my eyes. Add to that is given that you will have to run your case through a FL die (or body die) after about 5 reloads anyway because it won’t fit into your chamber anymore. Full Length sizing it at that time means that you just squoze it back down to the minimum dimension all in one shot and have really worked the brass. More Consistent? Easier on brass? I can’t see it.
 
#20
Re: .308 WIN dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MedicGordo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sergeant69</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MedicGordo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get a forster brenchrest f/l sizer die and send it to them and get it honed for your rifle/brass to hold 2-3k neck tension.Remove the expander ball and use a sinclair "oversized" expander mandrel.In the end you will be holding 1.75-2k neck tension.Using this with the forster b/r seater die i have loaded ammo in lapua cases that shot less than .25 moa. </div></div>

if you don't mind, whats the sinclair product # for the oversize mandrel? i load 308, 30-06 and 300 H&H and think i could switch the mandrel or buy three and leave em on. but don't see what ur talking about in their catalog. THANKS </div></div>Just go to their search and put in mandrel,you will see the oversized mandrel .307,you will need a die for it as well.the whole set up will cost about 30$.btw you only need one for all .308 cal. brass. </div></div>

i already have forster FL dies. will the sinclair mandrel replace the expander in those dies, because i see the mandrel ur talking about now in their catalog, in the neck turning section, but the only SINCLAIR DIES pictured w/it are in the neck turning KITS that run $118-$235. THANKS
 
#22
Re: .308 WIN dies

Just make sure to lube the case neck before running the mandrel in it,I use one shot and it works great.also make sure you dont run the case to far up in the die or it will deform the case mouth.once you get use to it you will be GTG.it great for new brass that beat up as well and to provide good neck tension.
 
#24
Re: .308 WIN dies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sergeant69</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ok, will do. on my NEW brass (nosler) i always just neck size to make sure the hole is round using graphite as lube, then imperial when i FL size. maybe i should use imperial on the expanding manrel? </div></div>I've used dry as well and it worked fine,after I stared using one shot I never looked back.
 
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