Bushing dies on a semi auto?

fastford

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Sep 10, 2008
    1,492
    2
    Central, Texas
    I have the redding comp die sets. I called Redding for another problem and we got to talking, i am a newbie to reloading. The guy told me the bushing dies are not a good idea for a semi auto AR 308,260 etc. What do you guys think?
     
    Re: Bushing dies on a semi auto?

    Nothing wrong with a bushing die for a semi auto as long as it is a full length sizing bushing die. Redding sells both.
    I use them for semi's I own in three different calibers.
     
    Re: Bushing dies on a semi auto?

    Keep good neck tension on the bullet and you'll be fine. I would not go lower than .003" tension, and would prefer .004 or more for a gas gun. With too light of neck tension, the bullet can move in or out in the case during chambering or firing. When running a neck bushing, it's normally for a bolt gun and typically run a smaller amount of neck tension. This wouldn't be the best for a gas gun.
     
    Re: Bushing dies on a semi auto?

    I've used bushing dies on all my gassers. Never occurred to me it might be an issue. Then again, it has never been an issue.
     
    Re: Bushing dies on a semi auto?

    I have a gap 260 ar inbound and need to get so ammo loaded. My loaded 260 factory stuff measures .288 to .289 so I was using a 287 bushing do I need to goto a 286 or 285??
     
    Re: Bushing dies on a semi auto?

    I use busing dies for my semi autos which I shoot in NRA competition and have had no problems. Normally 0.002" neck tension is just fine. I have found that the dies size 0.001" tighter than marked. A 0.289" die actually sizes to 0.288" measured via a precision pin or so I've found out.
     
    Re: Bushing dies on a semi auto?

    I shot 2000 223s last year processed exclusively with bushing dies.

    What they don't tell you: You HAVE to measure* the sholder position to see if you can skip the body die (or not). As long as the sholder is shorter than your chamber (measure it also) you are good to go with the neck-only sizing regimen. You should also measure at the web to see if the base has become too large.

    (*) RCBS case micrometer or Harnady (n.e Stoney Point) measuring tools.
     
    Re: Bushing dies on a semi auto?

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Heman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use busing dies for my semi autos which I shoot in NRA competition and have had no problems. Normally 0.002" neck tension is just fine. I have found that the dies size 0.001" tighter than marked. A 0.289" die actually sizes to 0.288" measured via a precision pin or so I've found out. </div></div>

    I can't remember which site I accessed the video from but recently I watched a video from like SHOT or somewhere and they were on the Redding stand interviewing one of the tech bodies... they asked about bushing dies and the guy answered that Redding now recommends you use a bushing die 0.001 smaller than the loaded neck diameter, not 0.002" like they used too... could have been through 6mmbr site 'daily news".