Help me choose the proper dies

[GhengisAhn175]

Hiders,

I just ordered an RCBS kit (my first time reloading period). I know I have other purchases I need/should make in the future ie tumblers, calipers, etc. But for now I need help choosing the right dies. I will be reloading exclusively 260 remington rounds. My rifle is an AIAX so of course I want great dies for precision reloading.

I will be reloading to these specs as they are what my rifle likes
lapua brass
139g scenars
42.0g of 4350 (might try vihvatouri based on lapuas suggestions)
cci #200's.
cartridge length needs to be at 2.80 (again load data showed these specs were what my rifle liked the best).

First thing is choosing the right dies to meet my needs.
Second is for seat depth; I will need calipers to measure correct?
I also read docs long and very informative post on reloading so based on that I am tracking that the dies I get need to be "full length" so that it resizes the entire casing, right?

Lastly to my understanding with the purchase of the dies as long as I clean my brass I am GTG to start reloading?

I am still collecting gear slowly and will not be reloading for some time until I do more research on the actual reloading process and get some literature to go along with reloading (also got from docs post).

 

[Boltfluter]

I would check out Bonanza dies. Some of the very best at a very reasonable price.

Paul

 

[briang7511]

I started with the same rcbs kit and I was able to load ammo that shoots one hole groups with rcbs dies. Yes on calipers and probably want the hornady oal gauge. Some people have said more expensive dies are the way to go, I have also heard guys getting good results with cheap dies. I chose middle of the road. Redding makes some nice stuff I have one set of 300 wm dies and do like them.

 

[GhengisAhn175]

Even with rcbs dies there are different types and to be honest in a bit overwhelmed. Unsure what i need other than, correct me if I'm wrong, dies that resize the whole case?

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[Powermac]

A minimum is a Full length sizing die, and a seater die, if your cleaning brass you also want a decap die.
What dies you want is really dependent on your budget and what you want, Whidden FL sizer and seater is the first that comes to my mind if you want quality and is on a budget.
Redding also makes good equipment at a bit lower price.
Forster dies are also okay, they're seater is just as good as Reddings imo.

As your a beginning reloader i don't think you need anything more advanced then the first few I've mentioned really.

But here is also some food for thought for those advocating the cheaper dies:
Die Issues When Bumping Shoulders within AccurateShooter.com

I prefer other dies myself, a full custom die made for your rifle from WTC, JLC, or Neil Jones has it advantages, as it resizes your brass perfectly for your chamber.
And your brass will last longer, saving money in the long run.
Warner tool co makes my favorite Sizer die, it's expensive and only fit some presses( 11/4-12 thread) though, but the quality is incredible. Getting a one caliber set, one body insert, and one neck/shoulder insert costs you 400. And you will normally want a few of the Neck/shoulder inserts to vary neck tension during loadup work, and possibly for different tasks, for each caliber.
Kinda says itself it gets expensive.

Neil Jones also makes very good dies, the FL sizer is a bit unique but very good, and for us seating with a arbor press and inline dies, he does make inline dies that can match your FL sizer, to ensure concentricity. These will have some wait time.

 

[briang7511]

I started with a seater and FL die all rcbs for all calibers. still use them 3 years later. I have heard from others that the redding seater die is pretty dam good. I just got the redding dies and I got the neck sizer with the set. I would recommend starting with either the rcbs or redding. Middle of the road, easy to use, fully capable of loading precision rounds. Some of the custom dies, well some people take things to a whole new level. I am not there yet. No doubt you can load precision ammo with anything I have mentioned. I did. Any questions don't hesitate to ask. Don't forget to read all the stickys on loading. Good stuff.

 

[GhengisAhn175]

Thanks briang. Just to clarify since I'm reloading 260, all i need are the 260 specifics for fl sizing, seating and decapping?

What makes the redding better than the rcbs?

Lastly do they have multiple types of quality like rcbs? Rcbs confused me since for just a 260 there were like 6 different models ranging in various prices

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[witchhunter]

Get a Fl sizing die and a Micrometer seater die. I like Redding, but Bonanza and RCBS are good too. You can get a neck die with bushings from Redding too. All good stuff. If you get a neck die, you will still need to FL size every now and then,

 

[Clark]

I would check out Bonanza dies. Some of the very best at a very reasonable price.

Paul

Bonanza went out of biz in 1983.
Forster Products FAQ's | Gunsmithing Tool Instructions | Reloading Tool Instructions
The 260 Remington was registered in 1997.
.260 Remington - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What does it all mean?
There are no Bonanza 260 dies.

 

[djskit]

Redding competition dies...